Let’s Talk… Annual Graduations and How to Plan for a Freshman in College!!

Many of you know my son will be attending University of Oklahoma in the fall. He has decided to study aerospace engineering. OU has been really good in communicating how much we will have to contribute financially, but here are the things to plan for. 

1. When the letter comes, open it and address the situation asap. Like many people, I wanted to put it in a stack to look at later. 
2. Plan on extra costs beyond tuition and room & board. These include fees, books & supplies, and any personal expenses. For example, OU fees are over $9K/ year. These costs are typically not covered by financial awards. 
3. If your child goes out of state, decide what you will do about the health insurance. Check if your health insurance will cover their expenses in the student medical center as in-network. If that is not the case, look into the insurance offered through the university as it is typically at a discounted rate for students. 
4. Take it one year at a time. If your son or daughter has to live on campus, realize that it’s going to be more expensive than living off campus, but it’s just for the first year. I found out last night people are putting deposits for apartments in Norman, OK for August 2025.

Lastly, your son or daughter will need some walking around money. Cafeteria food gets old and if they are unable to hold a job because of a rigorous program, plan on sending them a small allowance each month.

The content in this material was created for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as an investment advice.

The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.