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Off-Campus Housing

Student & Administrative Services Center, Rm. 1033 · (570) 320-8023 or (800) 367-9222

Budget

What can you afford to spend on an apartment? Can you afford to buy or lease that new car? How can you save money for a great vacation next summer? All of these questions have a very simple answer: make a budget. A budget can help you get your monthly expenses under control, plan for future big expenses, or determine how much you can afford to spend on your next apartment.

The following form has been developed to help students work out a semester/monthly budget. It will help you plan and track expenses each semester. Complete the worksheet as thoroughly as possible.

INCOME (List all income available to you from all sources)
One-Time Income:     Monthly Income:  
Scholarship $_________   Salary/work wages $_________
Grants $_________   Allotment (from parents) $_________
Monetary gifts received $_________   Stipend $_________
Personal savings $_________   Other $_________
Loans $_________   Subtotal Monthly Income $_________
Other $_________      
Subtotal One-Time Income: $_________   TOTAL INCOME: $_________
         
EXPENDITURES (List all expenses you expect to have each semester or month)
One-Time Expenses Per Semester
School Related   Non-School Related
Tuition $_________   Telephone installation $_________
Fees $_________   Cable installation $_________
Books and supplies $_________   Renter's Insurance $_________
Meal plan $_________   Health/medical insurance $_________
College parking permit $_________   Vehicle insurance $_________
Other $_________   Furniture $_________
Subtotal School: $_________   Other $_________
  Subtotal Non-School: $_________
Travel Related (break periods)      
Airfare $_________      
Train $_________      
Hotel $_________      
Food $_________      
Other $_________      
Subtotal Travel $_________   TOTAL ONE-TIME EXPENSES $_________
     
Monthly Expenses
Housing   Transportation
Rent $_________   Car payment $_________
Electric $_________   Fuel $_________
Gas $_________   Vehicle maintenance $_________
Telephone local $_________   Other $_________
Telephone long distance $_________   Subtotal Transportation $_________
Cable $_________      
Furniture rental $_________   Recreation
Newspaper $_________   Eating out $_________
Other $_________   Entertainment $_________
Subtotal Housing: $_________   Movies $_________
  Other $_________
Household   Subtotal Recreation: $_________
Food $_________  
Toiletries $_________   Monetary Commitments
Laundry $_________   Credit card payments $_________
Dry cleaning $_________   Loan payment $_________
Cleaning supplies $_________   Membership dues $_________
Other $_________   Subscriptions $_________
Subtotal Household: $_________   Gifts (holidays) $_________
  Gifts (birthdays) $_________
Clothing   Other $_________
School clothes $_________   Subtotal Commitments: $_________
Work clothes $_________  
Other $_________  
Subtotal Clothing: $_________   TOTAL MONTHLY EXPENSES: $_________
 
Compare your total expenses with your total income. Your income should be greater than your expenses. If that is not the case, try to reduce your expenses and/or increase your income.
TOTAL INCOME: $_________   TOTAL EXPENSES: $_________