Beyond Sticker Shock - Extracurricular College Costs You've probably already calculated your tuition bills and room and board costs. Yet the hidden costs of college – from pizza to airfare to library fines to laundry money – can easily add up to another $2,000 a year. To get a handle on these extras, we recommend putting together a monthly budget that estimates your costs. Be sure to include: Books: Book costs vary widely, depending on the courses. Call your bookstore to receive a timely alert on book prices for various classes. Transportation and travel: If you commute, factor in car insurance, gas and parking expenses. Some universities offer free parking, while others may charge up to $100 for a permit. Don't forget to include the cost of your vacation travel. You can often reduce these costs by using carpooling or shopping around for special saver or student fares on airline tickets. Food in general: Dorm residents may have a prepaid campus dining plan, while students living off campus will pay their food bills on a weekly basis. In any case, it is good to understand how much you will spend at the supermarket and at restaurants. Appliances and utilities: apartment dwellers usually have bills: gas, electricity, heating and water. On-campus students pay different fees: Mini-refrigerator rental fees, for example, can range from $35 to $120. To limit phone bills, consider purchasing a prepaid phone card with a set period of time. Call time to limit long-winded and prolonged calls. expensive phone calls. To stay connected on a budget, check to see if your school offers free Internet access and email. Personal Supplies: Remember when things like soap, toilet paper, makeup, and laundry detergent were just sitting there? It's easy to forget these when planning your budget, but they add up. Washing clothes at a laundromat, for example, will cost you $1 to $2 per load per week. Fraternity or sorority fees: Fees vary widely, depending on the school and chapter. Minimum budget of $30 per month, although fees of $50 and more are likely. However, Greek life can have an upside; if you live in a house, fees sometimes cover extras like laundry, social activities, and access to a computer lab. Printing, copying, and computer costs: Stock up on printer paper and floppy disks at a discount store before the school year begins (campus supply stores often charge many times the going rate). Not only will you save money, but you'll avoid last-minute supply crises in exam week.