A budget is a plan for using your money. Planning how your year will be financed is an important first step. Your money can disappear in no time if it is not appropriately distributed among the various categories during the school year.
Lack of budgeting leads to occasional and sometimes overwhelming worries about whether you will be able to cover your expenses. This can add add to stress levels that may already be high due to exams and assignments.
A realistic and thoughtful budget allows you to control your spending. It helps you to feel more secure financially and ensures that there will be money for the things you need if you follow your guidelines. While amounts may differ, you will have similar expenses (fees, books transportation, living expenses, pocket money) and similar resources (savings, loans, grants, gifts, part-time jobs) whether you attend Brock University or another university or college.
Financial Literacy Help
The Canadian Federal Government houses up to date, timely information on all matters related to financial literacy…from credit scores to budgets, loans and everything in between. This site is highly recommended by Student Accounts and Financial Aid. We also highly recommend that you watch our FinTip$ series of pod casts under the financial literacy tab for great help and advice.
Sample budget
Student Awards and Financial Aid has developed a set of estimated costs based on the residence status of a student. We have created a web page that will estimate your costs for a given study period. This estimate is designed to get you thinking about your needs and to suggest potential budgets.
Average costs based on full-time
This is an average cost based on full-time study for the current academic year.
| Other costs (Estimate) | Arts – Sciences | Business – Computer Science |
| Books and Supplies | $1,000 - $2,000 | $1,500 - $3,000 |
| Entertainment | $1,000 | $1,000 |
| Clothing | $400 | $600 |
| Telephone | $400 | $400 |
| Laundry | $340 | $340 |
| Scholarships and Awards | Arts – Sciences | Business – Computer Science |
| 80%-84.9% Entrance Average | $400.00 | $400.00 |
| 85%-89.9% Entrance Average | $900.00 | $900.00 |
| 90%-94.9% Entrance Average | $1,900.00 | $1,900.00 |
| 95%+ Entrance Average | $3,400.00 | $3,400.00 |
Note
In addition to the entrance awards the University has nearly 10 million dollars to give to students annually.
To apply for these awards and financial assistance please visit the OneApp: https://brocku.ca/safa/awards-and-bursaries/
Students are also encouraged to apply for OSAP at http://Ontario.ca/OSAP to help afford the cost of post-secondary education.
How will your costs be paid?
You and your parents (or spouse) should sit down together and come up with a list of all realistic needs and resources.
- Clarify the costs for which you will be responsible and the costs that your parents/spouse will cover.
- Decide whether funding will be given in September or on a monthly basis.
- Will you apply to live in residence or off campus?
- Will you need to apply for government assistance (OSAP)?
Working part time during your studies can help decrease your need. Be realistic about how much time you can allocate for part-time work. Can you accommodate a part-time job and still fulfil academic obligations (i.e., attendance at class, labs, assignments, exam preparation, reading)? If you are having difficulty in obtaining a job on your own, visit Brock’s Career Services office.
You can also discuss student lines of credits with your bank.
The Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities has created the OSAP Estimator, which will estimate the amount of OSAP you may receive.
How much does it cost to attend Brock?
Use our fee estimator to estimate the costs of tuition, residence and other university fees.
For actual costs, see the Schedule of Fees. A minimum payment is required to confirm your registration before the beginning of each term. For assistance in creating a complete budget for your school year, including living costs, materials and entertainment, please see the list below.
In addition to textbooks, students need to consider the cost of paper, pens, calculators, drawing equipment, binders, project materials, and other supplies. The requirements vary depending on the program.
Book lists are available during the first week of classes. Do not make any purchases before seeing each professor or academic adviser, unless specifically directed otherwise.
Cost estimate: Typically, students spend between $1,000 (Arts) and $3,000 (Business) on books and supplies each year in most programs.
For students enrolled in 1.5 credits or more, a local transit pass is included in your fees (see the undergraduate or graduate schedule of fees for more information). Students who drive to the University can get an estimate from Parking Services. Students from out of town should budget for two return trips home each academic year. Remember to budget for taxis!
You should budget for an average of $25-$50 a week or about $400-$800 per academic term. Your personal lifestyle, however, will dictate your actual expenditures.
Although most students dress casually, the amount to be budgeted for this category can vary. If you have not purchased a suitable wardrobe before the academic year, then budget for additional purchases during the year for items such as appropriate clothes for co-op employment, a winter coat, etc. We recommend $200 to $300 per term. Remember, second hand stores stock fantastic professional style clothes (casual too) that you can buy for a fraction of new while reducing the carbon foot-print on the planet.
Students who do not live with their parents will incur higher expenses than if they were living at home.
If you are intending to live in residence, please use the Fee Estimator to estimate the cost of residence and your meal plan.
If you are intending to live off campus, the following costs for rent, food and utilities are based on shared accommodation. Actual costs will vary according to the type of accommodation and the number of students sharing the facility.
Rent, including heat and electricity, is approximately $600-700 per month (St. Catharines area, based on shared accommodation). Remember utility costs may increase in winter months. Please visit Off-Campus Housing for rental listings and more information.
From $50 to $75 per week per person.
Total: $1,700 to $2,550 per academic year.
Approximately $50 to $100 per month.
Total: $400 to $800 per academic year.
Allow $10 per week.
Total: $340 per academic year.
Students living away from home should get comprehensive tenant’s insurance. Students should check with their parents’ insurance company to inquire about a rider on their policy to cover belongings. Students can also obtain their own coverage at an estimated cost of $20 per month. This includes coverage for theft, vandalism, fire and general liability. Dental and health care benefits are provided by the Brock University Students’ Union. If you already have coverage you may opt out of BUSU’s policy.
While it’s difficult to provide advice to married students because of varied circumstances, couples should double the estimates of the living costs outlined above.
