Personal Expenses and Money Tips: Undergraduate Students

Out-of-pocket expenses are listed in the Total College Budget on your award letter. These expenses are known as indirect costs because they are not charged on the bill, but we estimate they will be incurred by each student over the course of the year.

The standard out-of-pocket expenses in the budget are books, supplies, travel costs for getting to campus and returning home for breaks (for students who live in states farther away from Massachusetts, or abroad), and personal expenses including but not limited to: toiletries, local travel, winter coats for those from warmer climates, bedding for dorms, furniture and kitchen supplies for people who live off campus, etc.

While these estimated expenses are accounted for in the cost of attendance when your financial aid award is calculated, cash is not given to students to pay them, hence they must be paid for out of pocket. Your actual costs may vary from our estimate based on your personal needs and habits.

If your aid and other resources credited to your bill happen to exceed your total charges, you can request a refund when classes begin, and use the funds to help cover your personal expenses over the course of the semester. Otherwise, you should plan to use money from summer earnings or savings or earn money during the semester to help pay for your out-of-pocket expenses.

The most important out of pocket cost to consider when you reach campus is buying books. It is critical to have funds on hand to purchase books at start of semester, and the recommended amount is about $500. If you have questions or concerns about buying books at the beginning of the year, be sure to reach out to your financial aid counselor as soon as possible to learn what options are available to you.

Most importantly, if you are having an issue with paying for books it’s important you talk to someone as soon as possible. There are resources to help cut costs and get books for less on our Money Saving Tips for Students page. These tips were provided by current Jumbos who have been through the process before. Your Orientation peer leaders or other current students you know can also direct you to the most up-to-date tips and resources. The FIRST Resource Center has resources to help students obtain books as well.

One way to help pay for personal expenses is to earn money by working on campus during the academic year. If you were awarded work study as part of your aid package, you can find a job at the start of the semester and receive a weekly paycheck you can use to purchase personal items. You will be paid based on the hours you work. You should be mindful to make sure work fits into your schedule, so you have enough time to focus on academics and your other activities. For more information on finding a job, visit our Student Employment page.

Living on your own for the first time with a fixed budget and limited income is a challenge for most college students. At Tufts, there are many ways students can utilize campus resources and cost-saving measures to minimize spending and maximize their college experience. What better way to learn these tips than from current Jumbos? Please take a look at the following cost-saving tips from your fellow students.

Food

Take advantage of your meal plan

Buying coffee and snacks can be very expensive. All first year undergraduate students have the Premium Meal Plan, which gives you access to the dining halls multiple times per day. The dining halls are open from early morning to 9 PM. If you have time, always take advantage of your meal plan before buying a snack at places like the Commons, Hotung or Tower. But, if you do end up at those spots frequently, check for a punch card to get a free coffee. Hodgdon also takes meal swipes and generally has the same food and pastries as the other cafes, so use your swipe there if you don't have time to go to a dining hall.

Getting Around