<p>There is a line in the Princeton COA breakdown - books and personal: $3495. What exactly is included in that “personal”? And how much just the books themselves cost?</p>
<p>Personal basically means Princeton has budgeted in the little necessary expenses that add up over the year. This is so that the Estimated Student Budget accurately reflects how much money each student needs to spend a year. For students with 0 EFC, their work study and summer savings generally go towards books and personal, meaning they get to choose exactly how to spend the money they earn.</p>
<p>For me, this extra “personal” category gives me the freedom to join extra curricular activities, travel, buy mundane school supplies, toiletries, clothes as needed, dorm essentials, etc. etc. I think this year I spent ~$750 on books, but I don’t bargain hunt as much as I should. A careful shopper could probably spend a lot less.</p>