• Health insurance~ Remind your student how to access your health insurance. Residence hall staff cannot dispense medication and we do not have a health clinic on-campus.
• Travel costs ~ Many of our students live a short drive from home so the travel costs are minimal. If students do not have a car, it is appropriate that they pay or share the cost of gas with the students from their home towns who drive them home.
• Holiday housing ~ If they are from out of state, parents need to consider their children’s plans for Thanksgiving, Spring Break, and in between semesters as NCTC does not provide housing during this time to allow our staff to be with their families and to take vacations.
• Parking fees, gas, and car maintenance ~ NCTC does have a parking fee which we believe is quite reasonable for the academic year and it is included in their tuition and fees (no permits are required at NCTC). Rising gas prices can create a budget challenge for students who do not have adequate funds to cover this expense. You might want to consider giving your student a gas card.
• Food ~ No matter what meal plan you buy, students will eat outside the plan although at NCTC we contract with Great Western Dinning for meals from Monday breakfast through Friday lunch. There is an abundant supply of delicious food that is readily available. Students usually keep a few snacks and beverages in their rooms.
• Books and supplies ~ Books cost $300-$500 per semester.
• A cell phone ~ Although each room comes with a phone line that the students can enable through the local phone company to set-up monthly payments. Many students no longer use the land line as they use their cell phone almost exclusively so sometimes a cell phone can be a better buy with free national calling for students when they move away to college.
• Cable Television & Internet ~ Students that choose to have these services in their room will deal directly with a local provider and be responsible for the payment as well as fees associated when they switch rooms. NCTC does provide three televisions in the residence hall common areas for students to use as well as two internet computers in the lobby in addition to the four computer labs we have on campus.
• Money ~ Many parents expect their student to earn their own spending money. For travel, online purchases and emergencies, many give their child a credit card on their own account. Use your best judgment about this.

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