Three in college. All in different states. I give them about $200 a month in spending money. They all live on campus and have meal plans. I learned with my oldest (now a college senior) that you have to be careful when giving them money. He used to call me every few weeks with stories of how he had no food. I felt sorry for him and immediately sent more money. It became obvious that I was funding beer for his fraternity. I purchased the meal plan and started adding money to his meal card so at least I knew he could eat.

Here's what has worked really well - and we have a college senior, a college sophomore, and a college freshman. Plus two in high school. I got the kids Student Reloadable Visas from Justice Federal Credit Union. I can load easily with just a mouse click. They are linked to my JFCU Account. The great thing is that because they linked to my account and I manage them, I can see the transaction history. I knew exactly what they are spending money on. I load about $100 on the card on the 1st of each month and another $100 on the 15th. They are all three on full academic scholarships. Their tuition, books, and housing are full paid by the scholarships. We purchased the meal plans that cover two meals a day for five days a week. They eat breakfast in their dorms. They can either cook in their dorms, come home, or use their money to eat out on the weekends. I don't mind paying for food, clothes, supplies, medical stuff..... But I am NOT paying for beer.

I have two kids in college right now. They both have jobs during the summer and work if they can during the school year. I occasionally may give them money but they are responsible for the majority of their expenses. The daughter who has an apartment and no meal plan spends $500 a month on food, gas, and any other expenses. I just can't see why a student who lives on campus and doesn't have a job (therefore does not need much for gas) and has a meal plan, would need $400 a month. Giving kids so much keeps them at a standard of living they have a hard time affording when they get out of college and really on their own. I agree that they need to focus on school but they can also see fewer movies and a freshman shouldn't be buying beer anyway (I know I'll get jumped on for this, but teach your kids what is right and expect them to do it).

Anonymous wrote:DS is at Salisbury with a girlfriend. We give him $150/month. We told him to get a job if he needs more $$$

+1

Our DD is a high school senior and we have told her she will be responsible for her own spending money in college. We are picking up tuition, room and board, books and fees, and sorority dues if she wants to join one (but not the clothes and other expenses that go with belonging to a Greek organization, which are significant). We have advised her to save at least $2500 before freshman year, and she should budget about $250/month. I suspect she will fly through money her first few months of school, but can (and should expect to) get a seasonal job over Christmas to refill the treasury. We won't be paying for spring break trips or clothes - she has a lot of clothes and we will make sure she is stocked with basics before school starts. If she wants more money, she can get a job or find babysitting gigs in her college town, or work and save more over the summers. It won't be easy for her but the intention is to make her financially responsible and self-sufficient, and to recognize needs vs wants.

At my school, Wesleyan, only kids on financial aid could get jobs. I was offered a great gig as a research assistant for a prof but the school said no because I wasn't on financial aid.

Ugh, mom of a current senior here who hadn't even thought about this topic, so thanks, OP!

On-campus jobs are often, maybe usually, linked to FA (work study) and are offered as part of a FA package.

Anonymous wrote:OP listen to people who have kids in college now. The "I walked 5 miles in the snow without shoe stories are a bit dated." Things have changed. It's hard for kids to get jobs especially if the college location is rural and he/she doesn't receive financial aid/work study. Our kids gets mostly all A's. If the grades weren't there that would be another thing.

On-campus jobs are an option and they typically work around your child's schedule. And if the area your child goes to school in is so rural, then they don't need money for recreational stuff, because there's nowhere to go anyway, right?

I think the majority of my classmates didn't have jobs when I was in college (midwest college town)

I'd give $150 every two weeks. I think most of the time that's more than enough, and when it's not, it'll teach some budgeting.

I'd probably also tell my kid that if they wanted to get a job and/or save money, I'd match a certain portion of it every 6 months. Hoping I have the means to do this when DC is in college!

I don't know if you've noticed, OP, but beer prices have skyrocketed recently. You should keep that in mind.

Anonymous wrote:OP listen to people who have kids in college now. The "I walked 5 miles in the snow without shoe stories are a bit dated." Things have changed. It's hard for kids to get jobs especially if the college location is rural and he/she doesn't receive financial aid/work study. Our kids gets mostly all A's. If the grades weren't there that would be another thing.

I am the first PP and I agree with this. My DD is not on financial aid so can't get an on campus job - they all go to financial aid kids. She also does a sport that requires daily practice and quite a few weekends away from campus, so in town jobs are not feasible either (and the area is not exactly an economic boom town so there are plenty of local residents who need and take those jobs). To each his own though. If you want your child to work that's fine. I want mine to work during the summer, but it's simply not feasible during the year.

OP listen to people who have kids in college now. The "I walked 5 miles in the snow without shoe stories are a bit dated." Things have changed. It's hard for kids to get jobs especially if the college location is rural and he/she doesn't receive financial aid/work study. Our kids gets mostly all A's. If the grades weren't there that would be another thing.

Anonymous wrote:My DC spends about 350/month, including extra charges for on campus food (snack bar, cafe not included in meal plan) and bookstore purchases (not books). But a girl so includes some clothes and probably way more personal care products than a boy. Not including prescriptions and gas. We do $200/month in a lump sum at the beginning of the semester, the on campus stuff is direct billed.

This is about what our daughter spends a month. We put $200 a month on a prepaid Visa debit card (for entertainment/snacks/meals out, a few clothing items, activity fees) and she spends $150 a month on a credit card (Zipcar, personal care products, and food for her minifridge.