@IBViolamom: I fear this question has been lost in the shuffle, but does the child have a place to stay over the holidays (once the dorm closes)?
Also, please stress to him that the money he just got may be the only money he’ll have for a while. So, he should try to make it last, dividing what’s left after college is paid for, dividing it in 12 to have an idea of his monthly budget starting in May; he should plan to work 12 hours during the school year and full time as soon as he’s done with finals. He should start looking and asking right now and not stop till he’s got something near where he’s living for the holidays (stores, amazon warehouse, postal/messenger services if he has a bike…) If the family is well-off, he may not realize the financial logistics at all and may never had had to “cut back”. While he has enough to finish freshman year, he should learn how to make a budget, how to cut down on his meal plan (if he’s on full meal plan he’ll get a small refund that can be set aside) and learn how to make the lunch and dinner food last; he should take his Federal Loans by December and “bank” them as they’ll certainly come in handy down the road. He needs to practice and start living like he’s got no money, because despite the amazing windfall, he realistically has none - this may be his main source of income for the next 3 years.
What’s his major? Is it something that can be converted to a co-op at some point? where there are well-paid internships after sophomore year?