Samples of Student Expense Budgets Of primary concern to students and their parents is the cost of college attendance. A student expense budget, for one academic year, is made up of five principle parts: tuition and fees books and supplies room and board personal expenses transportation. Tuition, fees, and university residence hall charges are direct costs payable to the university. Books and supplies, transportation, and personal expenses are variable, indirect costs that must be considered in the total cost of education but are not payable directly to the university. Keep in mind that some of these costs do not represent new out-of-pocket expenditures for you or your parents. Also, your actual expenditures for those items listed under indirect costs may vary considerably from the estimates depending upon your individual circumstances and life style. The room and board expense item for the commuter includes an estimate of maintenance expenses (food, extra utilities, other consumption costs) that would be incurred while living at home. The Financial Aid Office has considered these total costs of attendance in determining your financial aid award. The budget figures for full-time day students are provided below. Please note that, except for tuition and on-campus room and board charges, these figures are estimates. 2008-2009 Undergraduate Day Student Tuition and Budget (Nine Months) On-Campus Off-Campus Commuter Tuition $20,320 $20,320 $20,320 Room and Board 7,790 6,110 2,770 Total Direct Costs: $28,110 $26,430 $23,090 Books and Supplies $890 $890 $890 Transportation 700 1,390 1,390 Personal Expenses (Personal items, laundry, entertainment, etc.) 1,520 3,870 1,460 Total Indirect Costs (Estimates) $3,110 $6,150 $3,740 Total Cost of Education $31,220 $32,580 $26,830