Budgeting for Events as a High School Senior

In this article

• Figure out your costs
• Receive the money
• Create a budget
• Advocate for yourself

While senior year of high school is an exciting milestone, it can also come with some extra costs for students, like college applications, senior activities, yearbooks, and graduation expenses. We know that these costs can add up quickly, so in this article, we’ll share tips on budgeting for events as a high school senior!

Figure out your costs

Make a list of all your expected senior year costs, like college applications and prom tickets. This will help you figure out how much money you’ll need to save to cover it all. Examples of expenses could be:

• College application fees
• SAT/ACT registration
• Senior portraits
• Formal dances and events (homecoming, prom, etc.)
• Yearbook
• College enrollment deposit
• Graduation regalia (cap and gown)
• Senior class trip(s)

Depending on your school, you may have different types of senior year expenses. If you’re not sure, check in with an educator or counselor.

Save the money

Talk to a parent or guardian about the expenses you have coming up and what your plan is for covering them. If you need to earn some money to contribute to the costs, you can do so by:

• Finding a summer or part-time job.
• Starting a side hustle.
• Asking friends and family to help cover the cost of something as a birthday or holiday gift.
• Getting fee waivers where possible. Talk to your counselor about your eligibility to receive fee waivers for things like college applications, the SAT or ACT, and enrollment deposits.

Create a budget

Creating a budget may seem complicated, but can be an easy way to help you manage your senior year expenses. Learn about building a budget that works for you!

Advocate for yourself

If you’re worried that financial concerns may lead to you not being able to participate in some senior year activities, we highly recommend that you explore your options and talk to people who may be able to help. For example, if you’re concerned about the cost of your yearbook, check in with someone at your school to see if you can buy it by making small payments over time. You never know until you ask! Being able to advocate for yourself is an essential life skill that will be necessary in college and beyond, so now is a great time to start building it!

While budgeting for senior year can be stressful, it’s also a reminder of how much there is to celebrate and enjoy! Need more ideas or support while budgeting for senior year? Connect with a Get Schooled Advisor.

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