This document outlines many of the hidden costs students may face when living in a college dorm. It recommends students bring essential tools, supplies and furnishings like a toolbox, surge protectors, bed linens, curtains, rugs, bathroom supplies, a microwave, lamp, alarm clock and more. It also notes additional expenses like orientation, health insurance, snacks, laundry, books, transportation and tutoring. The document advises students to plan ahead, purchase items used when possible, rent rather than buy, resell items after use and set a food budget to save money on these hidden dorm costs of college.

1. The hidden costs of
College
Little did we know…
Or think?

2. Everybody living on campus needs a
tool box with…
Screw driver-phillips
Screw driver-flat head
pliers
Crescent wrench
Hammer-16oz
Set of Allen wrenches
Set of wrenches
25’ tape measure
Batteries-different sizes
Flash light
Drop cords
Scissors
Ruler-straight edge
Wisk broom/dust pan
Pack of zip ties
3m wall hangers

3. Most dorm rooms have 2 wall outlets
and 2 light fixture outlets
Multi-strip outlets with surge protector
 Surge protectors
 Drop cords
 Night light
 Light bulbs
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4. Maybe this is enough outlets for you
and your roommate?
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Television
2 laptops
Microfridge
2 alarm clocks
At least 2 lamps
2 printers
Curling iron
Hair dryer
Xbox

5. Do
You
Have
Enough
Outlets ?

6. Dorm room
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What size bed do I have?
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Twin
Twin xl
Are the beds loftable?
If they are not lofted, where will I put stuff?
Do I rent a loft or do I buy a loft?
Most colleges do not allow you to build a loft.
What if I want to loft, and my roommate does not?
How many sets of sheets do I need?
Pillows?
Blankets?
Comforter?
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How often do you want to wash clothes?

7. Do I have a window?
What size curtains do I need?
 What type of curtain rod do I need?
 What color curtains?
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Who gets the curtains?

8. Do I need or want a rug?
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What size rug?
What color?
What shape?
As cheap as possible!
Who gets the rug?

9. Bathroom?
Hall bath
Somebody else cleans it.
Hand soap and toilet paper supplied.
Less privacy
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Suite style
You and your suite mates clean the bathroom.
Who? When? What happens if they don’t do their part?
You stock the bathroom (hand soap and toilet paper)
Is it really more private?
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Who supplies the needed supplies?

10. Items needed for bathroom
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Towels-How many?
Wash clothes-How many?
Soap
Shampoo/etc
Toilet paper if suite style
Bathroom basket to carry items
Again,
How often do you want to wash clothes ?

11. Items needed for dorm room
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Microfridge-
toilet paper-
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Bed loft-
light bulbs-
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Vacuum cleaner-
trash can-

12. Items needed for dorm dorm
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Futon-
Lamp-
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Television-
Laundry basket-
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Wall Clock
Alarm Clock

13. Before college starts
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Application fee-sometimes it is waived
If not, usually $35-$50
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Admission fee once accepted-$250
Dorm room deposit-$150
Parking-$134 a year
Some can be over $300 a semester
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Orientation for student / 2 parents-$325
Hotel room for orientation
Post office box-Do you need one? They cost!

14. Health plan costs:
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You are lucky if you are covered by family.
Most universities have coverage at a cost.
Individual health plans…not always the
cheapest.
You will need a basic
first aid kit.

15. incidentals
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Late night snacks
Trash can
Laundry bag/basket
Is laundry included, or do you pay?
Clubs, fraternities & sororities, dances, excursions,
parties, trips, concessions at ball games
Laptop computer & printer
Calculator-TI-84 or newer
Transportation to and from school
Lab fees
Books-do not order until you are sure you need them.
(rent when possible to save $)

16. There is hope!
Have a plan!
Don’t get caught
flat-footed!

17. Hidden Costs-What can we do?
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If you are lofting beds for numerous years, it
may be cheaper to purchase the loft.
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If possible, purchase the loft used, use it for
the years you need it, and then resale it.

18. Hidden costs-What can we do?
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Is a microwave and refrigerator provided?
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If not, do I rent or purchase?
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If needed multiple years, look at purchasing a
microfridge off of ebay or craigslist.
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When you finish, sell it!

19. Hidden costs?-What can we do?
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You may want to keep your books concerning
your major, but others you may need only for
the semester.
Buy used books that you will keep.
Rent books that you do not want to keep.
Resale books that you have purchased, but do
not want to keep, to other students, not to the
bookstore on campus.

20. Hidden costs-What can we do?
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Will I be commuting?
Do I need a car at school?
If so, how often will I come home?
If I do not have a car, how will I get home?
Carpool as often as possible, and share
expenses.

21. Hidden costs-What can we do?
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Is tutoring available?
Is there free tutoring at school?
Is there a charge for tutoring?
Ask other students and professors for
reccomendations.
Can we tutor? What? When?

22. Hidden Costs-What can we do?
Set a food budget. How often will I eat off
campus?
 While students have enough meals provided
through their meal plan to survive, realize that
sometimes they just want to eat out with
friends.
 Sometimes, they just want
something different to eat.
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23. Be
Frugal!
Be
Conscientious!
Be
Thrifty!