<p>Though the tuition and fees, and the room and board, is often close, they also can be slightly off. Some fees are mandatory, some are lab or other fees that are determined by the course of study a student chooses, or which school within the college. Room and board can be off, depending on the room selected and the board plan. Some schools have more variance than others. </p>
<p>My friend’s son, ended up in an upper class dorm freshman year, and so his room charges were more. As Torchwood indicates, things like health insurance can depend upon what you already have and what the school charges, and whether they will let you use your family coverage. </p>
<p>Books, supplies, transportation, living expenses, extra money, are all discretionary expenses, in that they can vary widely from student to student, and some are controllable.</p>