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It’s no secret that college is expensive, but what do you do when you see miscellaneous fees tacked on to the tuition expenses? Here are some of the most common things your college might charge you for without you knowing.
Student Activity Fee
Student activity fees are used to support “campus organizations.” If your kid believes they are too busy to join clubs, it’s time to reconsider because you’re paying for all of them.
Co-curricular Fee
This fee supports recreational and outdoor education, living expenses, leadership, and multicultural initiatives. Who knew being diverse came at a cost?
Health and Wellness Fee
You may think, “I already have insurance,” but this service isn’t the same as health insurance. This fee covers additional programs such as individual counseling and crisis intervention.
Student Health Insurance Fee
This fee can be waived if you’re already subscribed to health insurance. If not, be prepared to pay $2,000 or more.
Course Fees
These fees will vary depending on the student’s major, but be prepared to shell out more than $1,000.
ID Card Replacement
You’ll be charged $25 if you lose your student ID.
Late Registration
If you register for classes on or after the first day of classes, you’ll get hit with a $50 fee.
Room and Board
Many colleges require students to live in a dorm for the first two years. This can cost $6,000–$13,000 annually, not including internet and cable fees.
Other Fees
There were many other fees in the PDF we reviewed, but we included some of the most common ones here. We recommend you use this as a baseline for what you could be paying for your college.
Know Your Fees
Reading the “fine print” is something most people don’t do for a reason—it can be difficult to understand.
This post isn’t intended to bash colleges because, for many, going to school is a great path to financial success. However, the more you understand the fees involved, the more informed decisions you’ll make. At the very least, you’ll know where your money is going.
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