Cambrian College - Costs and Budgeting

Online Services

Life at Cambrian

College and University Relationships

Financial Information

Costs and Budgeting

College Costs - What to expect and how to budget for these costs

Before coming to Cambrian College, you should prepare for the worst case scenario with respect to your expenses. Some of the expenses you will incur will be fixed amounts such as tuition, supplies, books, fees, and rent. Keep in mind that there will be expenses that may change during the course of the academic year, or ones that you may not be aware of initially.

Please note that you can expect to wait an average of one to two weeks after registration day to pick-up, negotiate, and receive your loan. Be prepared for the worst case scenario. Be sure to have enough money before you begin your studies to cover your expenses for the first month.

How to Budget

Download a copy of your own personal budget. Remember to save your budget information and keep in mind that it is not written in stone and is meant to be adjusted as the semester progresses.

Books and Supplies (estimate per year)
Note: Books and Supplies cost vary by program. You can obtain your booklist by logging on the Student 411.
Books and Supplies at Low end	$350.00
Books and Supplies at High end	$4500.00
Additional Supplies (paper, binder)	$200.00

Transportation/Parking (estimate per year)
Public Transportation	$520.00
Parking
Burgundy Annual	$275.00
Gold Annual	$400.00
Residence Annual	$160.00
Daily Rates	$4.00 -$5.00
Gas	$640.00
Insurance	$1,040.00
Car	$500.00
Car Payments	$3,200.00
Trips back home	$1,000.00

What you'll need to cover

books required immediately
groceries for a month
bus fare or gas money
pens, paper, binders, etc.
one month's rent
deposit on an apartment, if required
moving expenses

Tuition (actual per year)
First-year Students	Costs
Full-time diploma/certificate program	$2,116.74
Full-time high demand program	$2,178.07 – $8,667.50
Returning Students
Full-time diploma/certificate program	$2,095.49
Full-time high demand program	$2,095.49 – $5,480.81

Compulsory Fees (actual per year)
SAC Activity Fee	$80.00
Athletic Fee	$85.00
Insurance	$74.00
Activity Centre Fee	$85.00
Facilities Management Fee	$211.66
Technology Fee	$110.00
Co-op Programs add extra $200/year	$200.00

Supply/Kit Fees (actual per year)
Note: These prices are included in your total fees costs (Tuition + Compulsory Fees + Kit Fees = Total fees)
Baking and Pastry Arts	$50.00
Carpenter General	$100.00
Chef Training	$50.00
Graphic Design	$50.00
Hotel and Restaurant Management	$50.00
Mechanical Techniques/Technician	$110.00
Welder Fitter	$200.00
Welding and Fabrication Technician	$200.00

Living Costs (estimate per year)
On-campus	Costs
Residence	$4,720.40
Off-campus
1 bedroom	$4,800.00
2 bedroom	7,200.00
Shared Accommodations	$3,600.00

Other Living Costs
Meal Plan	$600.00
Other meals	$1,600.00
Personal Care Items	$1,000.00
Utilities	$480.00
telephone/cable/ internet	$1,000.00

Entertainment(estimate per year)
Nights out	$800.00
Nights in	$400.00
Eating out	$400.00
Extracurricular activities	$600.00

Other Expenses(estimate per year)
Emergencies	$400.00
Daycare	$4,000.00
Special occasion gifts	$200.00

College Costs - how to budget for them

Budgeting is the key to financial readiness while at College. If you have a good idea of what to expect, this can help to avoid financial mistakes and unnecessary stress. Planning a budget before school starts is a good thing to do. Resolving money problems as they arise by asking for help and/or advice is also a good thing to do.

College life provides many opportunities to spend money. A budget can help you manage your money, help you to identify if and where you are overspending, and ultimately, help you to control unnecessary spending.