Watching Your Wallet: Creating a college student budget

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Creating a realistic college student budget means looking beyond tuition.

"You can't change the cost of tuition or the cost of books, but you can control how you're spending outside," says Heather Nardello, UC Merced's Financial Aid and Scholarships Director.

Start with your school's cost of attendance, which includes tuition and fees.

According to the U.S. Department of Education, the cost of attendance per year for full-time first-time undergrads at UC Merced starts at just under $15,400, Fresno State at nearly $8,000 and Fresno City College at a little more than $3,300.

Those figures represent in-state tuition, fees, books and supplies only.

Additional expenses to consider include housing, transportation, meals, a cell phone bill and any personal expenses, including entertainment.

Next, look at financial aid options available.

"About 83% of our students receive some kind of free money, and the average award is just under $25,000," Nardello said.

In addition to grants, scholarships and student loans, UC Merced offers a work study program where students can work and earn a paycheck to help pay for those expenses.

At Fresno City College, fee waivers and navigating federal and state programs are only the beginning when it comes to breaking down financial barriers.

"Some of our students receive upwards of $30,000 in financial aid," says Mikki Johnson, Fresno City College's Director of Financial Aid. "That is money that doesn't have to be repaid."

The campus also offers a financial awareness program that includes money management classes and even a lab dedicated to helping students with financial aid applications.

Student success programs help students budget both time and expenses.

"We're trying to make sure our students have a well-rounded, holistic feel here on campus, where if you can't provide for yourself in some ways, we can help," says Kalisha Spomer, Fresno City College's Director of Student Success Programs.

Fresno State's financial aid office helps with navigating college expenses.

"Over 80% receive some type of financial aid," says Kelly Russell, Fresno State's Assistant VP of Student Financial Resources. "Under the new federal financial aid application, a higher percentage receive Pell grants than used to."

The cost of books is one of the expenses that has gone down over the years as campuses are taking advantage of e-books and other resources.

Additional ways to save include cooking more meals instead of eating out, taking advantage of student discounts and limiting non-essential purchases.

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