(BPT) - The weather may just be perfect, but before you know it, summer will be over, and you'll be dropping your student off at their dorm. As your child makes the most of their summer before college, they may forget that enrolling in fall semester classes is just one step in preparing for their educational journey. You can help them stay on track by making sure they check these four important tasks off their list before summer is over.
1. Shop for books, bedding and more
The shopping list for a college freshman can be quite extensive. On top of purchasing books, school supplies, laptops and other electronics, your student will likely need dorm necessities if they plan to live on campus — and this total can add up. According to a recent College Ave survey, parents estimate they spent an average of $3,614 to prepare for freshman year, including new electronics, dorm room essentials and books.
For example, your college-bound kid will likely need new bedding, towels, laundry detergent, a bath caddy and other items that they would normally have lying around your home. If neither of you is sure what items are absolutely necessary for dorm living, check and see if their school offers a handy freshman shopping list or check out this ultimate dorm room checklist from College Ave.
2. Help them set up a budget
Finances can be stressful for anyone at any age, but students who are balancing work and school can have it especially rough. According to a March 2025 College Ave student survey, nearly half of students said they were stressed about their finances. Additionally, only 55% of college students track their spending, an important first step in budgeting.
Help your student maintain a budget and learn to handle their cash flow before they ever set foot on campus. One good place to start is with Student Budget Worksheet from College Ave. Sit them down and help them figure out their expected expenses and income for the fall semester. Whether you're helping them pay for college or if they have other funding sources like scholarships, financial aid, loans or a paycheck from a part-time job, knowing what the numbers are and how much they can expect to spend and save is an important life lesson that will serve them this semester and beyond.
3. Find and secure important documents
Your child is probably used to you keeping important documents like their health insurance card, Social Security number, transcripts and medical records. Before they head off to campus, make sure to give them these documents and emphasize how important it is to keep them safe and secure. Help them choose a fireproof document bag where they can store sensitive paperwork and identification, but still have it handy when needed.
4. Shop for private student loans
During the summer, you and your student may discover that there's a financial gap in covering their education costs. Whether a grant fell through or a work-study placement didn't work out, you'll need to find a way to cover whatever they may owe for the year. So, while shopping for back-to-school, make sure to also shop around for private student loans.
Not sure where to start? Once you've exhausted your other resources — like scholarships, grants, income, savings and federal student loans in the student's name — check out College Ave. The application process takes less than three minutes, so you can stress less and get back to enjoying summer. If you have any questions during the application process, customer service is ready to help. Plus, their private student loans offer multiple repayment options and competitive interest rates to fit your student's budget and needs.
While you're there, make sure to check out the loan calculator. According to the March 2025 survey, 67% of those who expected to have student loan debt post-graduation didn't know or were unsure of how much their monthly payments would be. Using this handy tool, you can reduce any surprises and help your student pay for their education with confidence.
Don't let summer slip by! Make sure your child checks off these four key tasks on their checklist before the fall semester begins. To learn more about how to pay for college, visit CollegeAve.com.
