They really don't need that much in spending money for fun their first year but what can catch them short is stocking snack foods (dining halls do close) and over the counter medications.
The kids spend a lot of time sick with colds, flus, etc...Don't forget that they are in the stage of being very proud of their new independence and won't always let you know they can use a hand. For fun spending, he uses the cash he's earned. We provided a credit card with a low limit for books, drugstore, groceries, etc... that worked out really well for us.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We told our son he has to have $2,000 in the bank before starting college in September - giving him essentially $250/month of spending money. So he's worked all summer and has surpassed that target.

I'll probably slip him $100 at dropoff day, and we'll pay for all books, dorm needs, etc., but then he's on his own for spending money.

Same exact thing we've told our son. Did this with his two brothers when they went to college too.

We did the same with our DS1 last year. But he also ended up paying for books out of that amount.

I don't plan to give my daughter any money but we pay full tuition that includes a 21 meal per week plan. She worked two jobs this summer and has saved about $4K so she has a nice buffer, though she knows that she must buy her books and any other supplies. I told her that it would be good to get a work study job for 8-12 hours a week just so she doesn't burn through her hard earned summer cash and she agrees. I also think having a job and interacting with adults is a good thing, as pointed out above. I won't force my daughter to get a job right away if she's trying to settle in but in the long run I'm guessing she will.

Meanwhile my mother-in-law mentioned that she planned to give my daughter a monthly allowance, which was news to me. I said sure, why not! As long as I don't need to give more money I'm fine with it!

$0 freshman and sophomore year- they worked during the summer for spending money and were on a meal plan, so I saw no need.

Once they were off the meal plan, we did $200/month.

Anonymous wrote:IME, the kids who had part-time jobs for spending money did better in school than those who did not. I think having less unstructured time forces the student to manage their time more wisely, allotting time for studying and class and work and using the leftover time for play.

+1. My parents didn't want me to have to work my first two years so I could get settled and have plenty of time to study and do activities, but I was so much happier once I had a PT job. I needed the structure, and I enjoyed doing the semi-mindless stuff at work and interacting with adults--it was a nice mental break from school and the intensity of being with friends all the time.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I gave 80/week
there's pizza, personal hygiene items, haircuts, lost sneakers, and uber costs...

Lost sneakers?

Make that a few trips to the local alcohol and beverage store, PP.

perhaps, but I see the sneakers on the amazon account, so....

IME, the kids who had part-time jobs for spending money did better in school than those who did not. I think having less unstructured time forces the student to manage their time more wisely, allotting time for studying and class and work and using the leftover time for play.

I had what I earned in the summer (or at jobs) and dislike the idea of giving a monthly allowance. Money doesn't grow on trees...college is a great time to learn this.

I didn't get any $ and am kind of surprised to hear others did. I worked during the summers and used a small amount from that to go in on pizza or subs now and then. Maybe $40 a month.

I plan to cover room and meal plan, plus tuition (state public) and books. That is far more than I got. If kids don't want the full meal plan, say, no breakfasts, I'd budget in $ for breakfast cereal, milk, bars, etc.

I think it's reasonable for summer and winter break jobs to fund reasonable spending $ and build up some savings for when they finish college.

I worked during the summer and PT during the school year for money for books and spending money. I wouldn't give money to my college aged child when they can earn it themselves.

I worked for my college spending money and my child will too.