College tuition rates and living expenses are steadily climbing. Understanding all expenses you’ll face can help you proactively create a sound financial plan.

College is the time when many people branch out into the world on their own, experiencing complete independence and responsibility for the first time. Smartly managing your finances can be one of the most difficult responsibilities to master, and the sheer cost of college expenses can make it even more troublesome.

With some planning and strategy, some of these costs can be minimized, allowing you to control your expenses and budget. The first step to managing your student finances is figuring out how much you’ll be spending each month on college and other costs, enabling you to create an accurate college budget.

Here are six of the most common expenses you’ll need to manage as a college student:

1. Tuition & Fees

Tuition will be one of the most significant expenses. Attending an in-state public college can reduce tuition costs, with out-of-state public colleges costing over $10,000 more for a four-year degree. Scholarships and student loans may help cover these expenses, depending on your eligibility for each.

Fees are another expense to consider. You may have to pay application fees for each school you apply to. When you’re accepted, you may have to pay a new student fee to hold your spot (which can be hundreds of dollars but may be refundable), a housing fee to reserve your dorm (which can also be hundreds of dollars but is rarely refundable), and a new student orientation fee. Fees can vary widely between institutions, so be sure to ask each school’s admissions office what to expect.