Calculating your semester budget

The calculator below will help you budget your money for the semester.

Amount of Financial Aid refund to you for the semester:        You check the amount of your expected refund by checking your Student Account on the Student Information System or you can calculate an estimated refund using the calculators for undergraduate students.
Amount of money that you will
earn from work by semester               Monthly amount  x 5  =    		If you have a job, estimate the amount of money that you will earn for the semester.  For RU's student employment program, the amount is $813.  If you have outside employment, estimate your monthly earnings and multiply them by 5.
Amount of money available to you
from parents.                                         Monthly amount  x 5  = 		Multiply your expected monthly support from your parents by 5.
Amount of money available to you from
other sources.                                       Monthly amount  x 5   = 		If you are receiving funds from other sources, such as the Veteran's Administration, multiply the monthly amount by 5.
         = s  
             Place this figure in the box below "Total amount funds available)  		Place this figure In "Total funds available below".

Estimated Semester Expenses
Total amount funds available (from above)
Rent  (if living off-campus) (monthly x 5)
(monthly x 5)= 
  
Food (in addition to meal plan if on campus or total if off campus) monthly x 5
(monthly x 5)= 
  
Utilities (if off campus) (monthly x 5)
 (monthly x 5)= 
Transportation  (car payment, car insurance, gas, repairs, license, repairs, cab fare or plane fare) monthly x 5
(monthly x 5)= 
  
Entertainment (cable, movies, concerts, etc.)

(monthly x 5)=

 
Medical Insurance and medical expenses (prescriptions, doctor visits, etc.)  - monthly x 5

(monthly x 5)=

 
Miscellaneous expenses (Child care, dry cleaning, hair cuts, clothing, etc.)

 (monthly x 5)=

 
Other (credit cards, renter's insurance, etc.)

(monthly x 5)=

 
Other (child care, etc.)

(monthly x 5)=

 
TOTAL DOLLARS AVAILABLE AFTER BILLS ARE PAID:
 
Semester
Total Amount of money available to you after bills are met.

Total =   If negative, you need to
check for additional resources to pay bills.  See below.
For financial aid application guide, click here.
Finding Resources to pay for educational costs
Listed below are some links to additional resources that you can use to pay for educational costs:
Federal Parent Loan (PLUS) Parents can obtain additional funds for students.  Repayment begins in 60 days.  Postponement of payment can be done.  The interest rate is fixed at 8.5%.  This is a credit-worthy loan.  If a parent is denied the loan, the student may be eligible for additional unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loan funds. You can estimate the amount of your monthly payments by using the Loan Calculator.  Remember that you should include all PLUS Loans that you have borrowed.  You can apply from our website for a PLUS Loan if you are using one of our preferred lenders.
Alternative Loans There are many different Alternative Loans that are available to families from various lenders.  You can compare these loans by visiting our Alternative Loan website.  You can use the lender website to estimate your monthly payments for these loans.
Scholarship Searches Use our search engines and information on the web about additional scholarships for which you may be eligible.   
Other resources