<p>We are sending our first S to college this fall. Looking at the different colleges COA they are all over the place when stating travel and personal expenses. If S is no more than 500 miles away (will drive to home), what would be a good average travel expense figure to use? The same goes to Personal expenses. What would you use for the 11-12 school year?</p>
<p>I'm thinking on using the same figures when analyzing the Fin Aid letters.</p>
<p>Regards,</p>
<p>When I compare college costs I write down what the tuition and mandatory fees are at each school. That is a fixed figure. I then pick a middle of the road meal plan that is usually a 16 meal or so plan and a double room from their room and board schedules. If they don’t have this year’s costs yet, I estimate 5% more from last year’s. I then check it against what the college gives as the COA to make sure it is close. Those are the only number I use for the base line. I then add my best estimate of what the transportation cost to each school would be for us. The schools’ numbers are useless to you because that is the average student’s cost which can have nothing to do with your personal situation. I then add or subtract special costs depending on the school. For instance, a school in a city center would probably take extra allowance monies. This gives me apples to apples comparisons of the schools. When any awards are given, I reduce the tuition accordingly.</p>
<p>Sounds like a good plan. Thanks</p>