Students are headed back to school, and parents may soon feel the pinch in their wallets. Having any child in school may seem expensive, but your child’s senior year will bring additional expenses well above previous years. Plan for them early. This list of typical expenses is not meant to be all-inclusive, but will give you some idea:
- senior pictures (sitting fees can range from $12 – $99, according to one local studio, with actual photo packages ranging from $89 to $400)
- senior salute for your graduate in the yearbook (plan on anything up to $150)
- class ring (the sky’s the limit, but you should budget for at least $150, and that doesn’t get you much)
- cap and gown rental (about $75)
- graduation announcements, including postage (at least $100)
- senior prom (figure in the cost of a dress or tux rental, limousine, dinner before the prom, hair and nails, flowers, in addition to the price of tickets)
- party or reception for your graduate (can be a simple reception with cake and punch or a full-blown party)
- graduation gifts (you can set the budget on this one)
- senior trip (varies, but count on at least $500 & up)
- college admission fees, tuition (varies by school)