In addition to your tuition and living expenses, as a student in America you will also have to deal with personal expenses. These other expenses vary from person to person and depend greatly on your lifestyle, desires and how you spend your free time. Think about your phone bill, plane tickets home, weekend trips or a visit to a restaurant or fast food chain like In-N-Out. These are all expenses that are not routinely reimbursed by the university.
What is included in “other costs”?
Other expenses while studying in America often consist of leisure expenses such as dining out, playing sports away from your team, movie theater visits or weekends away. It also includes personal expenses such as clothing, personal care products, a local SIM card or a laptop. In addition, you must pay for your own travel to and from America, unless you have an exceptional scholarship that covers this.
What does the university pay for (and what doesn’t)?
In most cases, your tuition, housing and meals on campus are included in the total amount or reimbursed through your scholarship. That means you won’t have to pay for books, lectures or your room on campus. But for personal expenses outside of academic life, you have to budget yourself. If you like to do something fun on the weekends or eat off-campus, these expenses are your responsibility.
Are other costs high?
In practice, other costs during your studies in America are usually not too bad. Many students spend most of their time on campus, where many amenities are already in place. As a result, you automatically spend less than you might expect. Moreover, you can adjust your expenses fairly easily to fit your own budget – so it’s as expensive (or cheap) as you make it.
Getting smart with your budget? Slamstox helps you!
At Slamstox, we guide student-athletes through the entire process of studying in America. In doing so, we also look at the financial side, including the expected other costs. We help you with realistic budgeting, practical tips and personal advice, so you won’t have any surprises.
Do you want to know what your total costs will be, including study, accommodation and other expenses? Feel free to contact us!
