Biddle 1

Ian Biddle
Ms. Stinnett
English 12 P.1
1 September 2016
Growing Up Sucks
Introduction
Go Devils! I want to attend Arizona State University because it is close to home and can
help eliminate unnecessary costs for my tuition fees/ housing. During my attendance as ASU, I
plan to live at home with my parents and move out to an apartment when financially possible.
Housing Information
At Arizona State University, the dormitory fees are more expensive than renting an
apartment nearby the school campus. However, both housing options have their own drawbacks
and positives to make the choice more uncertain.
On Campus Housing
The dormitories in Arizona State University include all utilities and can also supply your
meal plan if purchased. If chosen, you will have a roommate and will be in a building full of
other ASU students. The location of these dormitories are also conveniently located near your
classes, which helps students save money or time with their small commute to their classes. They
also contain several luxuries like a fitness centers, computer labs, kitchen facilities, air
conditioning, and vending machines. On-campus expenses range from $6,561-$11,061
depending on options chosen by the students. Different housing locations vary in price range and

Biddle 2
also, is dependent on the selection of the meal plan. ASU has several dormitory locations across
the Phoenix Area.

Front View (Central Neighborhood)

www.housing.asu.edu

Apartment Housing
There are multiple options for apartment housing near all the ASU campuses. All
apartments vary in price from $800-$1,000 per month depending on the amenities provided,
quality/ luxury of the living space, and the location of the apartment. In the location provided
below, the following amenities are provided; internet, air conditioning, heating, dishwasher,
refrigerator, and ovens are provided. However, cable and laundry services are not supplied. The
monthly cost for this apartment is $810 a month, which is $4,860 per year. This apartment is also
relatively close to the Tempe campus locations and has parking services provided. In this select
floorplan, there are two bathrooms for convenience of the renters of the apartment.

Biddle 3

Pool and Inside look (Park Village Apartments)

www.parkvillage-apartments.com

Data
On-campus rent is more expensive than off-campus opportunities because of the inflation
of prices from the ASU profit margins. However, ASU does supply more amenities and a better
location than off-campus locations. But depending on the addition of the meal plans for the on-

campus housing, off-campus locations are less expensive.

Biddle 4
Housing
On-campus
Expenses
for 1 Year

Apartment

Rent
(With
Roommat
e)

$4,860

$6,651

Utilities

$1,204

Trash
Meals

$4,500

$3,720

Total

$11,061

$10,470

(Park Village Apartments, Central Neighborhood)

Housing Reflection
Since the off-campus housing costs are less than ASU provided dorms, I will be living
off-campus apartments to save money on living costs. The choice of apartments allows you to
pick a roommate you already know and trust to be your companion in housing which reduces
stress in the student's life. ASU however pairs you with a random roommate which could add
more stress or even ruin your college experience. Also, the apartment I chose to compare to
ASUs dormitories provide parking, which ASU provides but to a high fee. Also, ASU
dormitories share bathrooms with surrounding rooms or even floors, while the apartment I chose
has two bathrooms, one for each roommate.
Financial Plan
My estimated cost for attending ASU for a year is totaled to be $19,710. To be able to
pay for my college expenses, I must have a good paying job and work plenty of hours, or I can

Biddle 5
get financial help from family or financial aid. My expected income is $25,720 with estimated
variables such as financial aid, scholarships, and estimated job wages/ hours.
Estimated Expenses
Due to the slight difference in overall price between apartments and on-campus housing,
I should choose off-campus housing. Off-campus housing or apartments is cheaper due to the
reduction of fees that ASU makes their dormitory students pay to live at their established dorms.
For example, the meal plans are quite costly and can be significantly reduced to make eating
more affordable. Also, the possibility of moving back home to help reduce costs is only possible
with the off-campus opportunities. Also, the rent payments per year are also in favor of offcampus housing because of the inflation that ASU pushes on its students.
Estimated Income
My estimated source of income from job wages is $10,720 but can vary due to several
situations such as, hours worked, or hourly wage change. I am estimating that my parents will
give me $2,00 to help me adjust to my new living situation and new expenses. I estimate that I
will receive $1,500 for student loans due to my chronic illness and my low income. I also
estimate to have near $2,000 dollars saved up before I enter my freshman year of college. Also,
because of my great relationships with my close family, I also estimate to receive $1,500 from
them to help me adjust and to help me maintain a healthy lifestyle. This all adds up to an
estimated total of $25,720.

Biddle 6
Data
The estimated cost to attend ASU for one whole year is $19,710 and my estimated
income for a year is $25,720. This leaves an profit gap of $6,010 dollars to go to living
situations, and other expenses (apartment, car expenses).

Item

Expense

Tuition/Fees

$10,370

Books & Supplies

$1,000

Room & Board

$300

Computer Expenses
Car Expenses

$3,960

Cell Phone

$1,080

Entertainment

$750

Personal Expenses

$750

Travel

$750

Misc.

$750

Total

$19,710

Biddle 7
Item

Income

Job

$18,720

Parents

$2,000

Student Loans

$1,500

Scholarships
Savings

$2,000

Gifts

$1,500

Other
Total

$25,720

(Park Village Apartments, ASU Search, Central Neighborhood)

Financial Plan Reflection

During my first year of attending Arizona State University, my expenses to attend will be
$19,710 dollars per year. My expected income during my first year of attending college is
$25,720. The difference in my expenses and income is $6,010 which will be used to pay for
other expenses. Living out of home at an apartment or at an on-campus dormitory is too
expensive for me to do. During my first couple years of college, I must stay at home until I gain
the income to support myself without going in debt. To increase my income, I can obtain a better
paying job to gain more wage income or ask for more help from my parents to get me out of the
house. Also, to reduce living costs at an apartment, I could add live with roommates to bring the
individual cost down.

Biddle 8
Conclusion
During my research in attempt to find the actual cost of college and/or living out of home
during college, I learned that I do not have the financial income to move out. College costs more
than what people expect due to the hidden fees the universities hide to gain higher attendance
rates. Also there are more costs of personal/living expenses then teenagers expect because their
parents pay for it or that they do not have knowledge that such expenses exist. My research did
not include health insurance payments or health expenses which also brings the expense rate
even higher. I cannot move out until my income significantly increases from finding a wellpaying job, or even getting a raise from my current employer. I also need to brainstorm how to
reduce expenses or even find ways to avoid them as much as possible. I have learned about new
expenses I never have thought about, and have prepared myself for what is to come when I
expect to move out.

Biddle 9
Works Cited
ASU Tuition Estimator. ASU Students Site, https://students.asu.edu/tuition.

Come and Check It Out. Apartments in Mesa Arizona,

http://www.parkvillage-apartments.com/photos.
Learn to Thrive On Campus. University Housing, https://housing.asu.edu/.
McClintock Hall. University Housing, https://housing.asu.edu/residence/mcclintock-hall.