Use this calculator to help analyze your budget while attending a university, college or other higher education. This calculator is specifically designed to help students understand their expenses and income while attending a university, college or other educational institution. This calculator allows you to input your expenses and income for an eight-month school year running from September through April.

Definitions

Payment Frequency
Each item in your budget can be scheduled to be paid as follows:

Payment frequency	Payment Will Happen
Start of school year	One payment at the start of the school year
Semester 1 & 2	Two payments. One at the beginning of semester 1, the second at the beginning of semester 2.
Semester 2	One payment at the beginning of semester 2.
Monthly of school year	A payment for each month of the school year, September through April

School Expenses
Tuition, textbooks, supplies and related materials, lab fees, library fees, photocopying and other related expenses.

Food and Groceries
Meal plan, groceries, eating out, snacks and other related expenses.

Living Expenses
Residence, electric, cell/pager, Internet, rent, phone, cable, childcare and other living expenses.

Professional Fees
Doctor, dentist, eye care, hair stylist, manicure/pedicure, masseuse/chiropractor, veterinarian, other.

Entertainment and Travel
Going out, movies, movie rental, CD's/DVD's, concerts, travel and other related expenses.

Clothing
Purchases, cleaning, repair and other related expenses.

Loans
Personal, credit cards and other related expenses.

Contributions and Gifts
Charity, church and other related expenses.

Savings and Investments
Savings towards short-term goals, savings towards long-term goals, other savings.

Miscellaneous
Membership dues, postage, health club, Christmas gifts, birthday gifts, any other expenses.

Personal Toiletries
Hair care products (shampoo, etc.), body care products (razors, etc.), facial care products (make-up, etc.), prescription drugs/vitamins and other related expenses.

Transportation
Bus/Subway pass, car payments, gas/oil, licensing, visits home, insurance, maintenance and other related expenses.

Contributions and Income
Scholarships, fellowships/grants, other aid (such as federal loans), available savings, educational savings plans, family contributions, expected wages/tips, other income/assets.