Here’s what to plan for first: the start-up costs of being a college student.
Typical start-up costs include a lot of different things, but a good place to start is school supplies—consider the following:
Consider these purchases if you're moving into a dorm or apartment for the first time:
You may have some things already, like a laptop or bedding. This can reduce the cost of pre-school shopping. It’s always great to avoid buying something that you’ll only need for a year or two. To help make the initial cost a little easier, it's wise to focus on the essentials first and then build up to the "nice to have" items as you go. That way you'll have enough to get started but won't be stuck with the bill for everything at once.