<p>^I think amandak is referencing PSU/similar schools, where upperclassmen tuition is a bit more expensive than that of underclassmen.
RE: books/travel expenses, keep in mind your distance from school/major of choice. Last year I paid ~$4 total to travel between Pitt and home (Philly), though admittedly I only went home for Christmas and Thanksgiving breaks. If you’re a bio, chem, or similar major, you might expect to pay near that $1,000 book estimate. There are book scholarships available, though (through Pitt, student groups, etc)–or if you’re lucky you can pay $0 for books because your professors have sympathy enough to put them on reserve at the library. For many classes I would suggest waiting a bit until deciding whether to purchase a textbook as you may not need it. As far as cutting other costs, there are many on and off campus positions available to students, and not just those on work-study. Just some things to keep in mind…</p>