{
    "name": "Student Monthly Budget Calculator",
    "url": "https://calculators.geekmidst.com/calculators/student-monthly-budget-calculator",
    "markdown": "https://calculators.geekmidst.com/calculators/student-monthly-budget-calculator.md",
    "category": "Education",
    "description": "Add up a student’s monthly income and living costs to see the surplus or shortfall, the share of income spent and where the money goes.",
    "summary": "List what comes in each month (family support, part-time work, aid) and what goes out. The difference tells you whether you are saving or running down funds.",
    "also_called": [
        "College budget calculator",
        "University budget planner"
    ],
    "applies_to": "Worldwide",
    "last_updated": "2026-10-29",
    "computation": "Results are computed in the visitor’s browser on the HTML page. This API describes the calculator; it does not compute results.",
    "inputs": [
        {
            "name": "allowance",
            "label": "Family support",
            "type": "number",
            "default": "600",
            "optional": true
        },
        {
            "name": "job",
            "label": "Part-time job income",
            "type": "number",
            "default": "400",
            "optional": true
        },
        {
            "name": "aid",
            "label": "Scholarship, loan or aid (monthly)",
            "type": "number",
            "default": "300",
            "optional": true
        },
        {
            "name": "rent",
            "label": "Rent and utilities",
            "type": "number",
            "default": "550",
            "optional": true
        },
        {
            "name": "food",
            "label": "Food and groceries",
            "type": "number",
            "default": "250",
            "optional": true
        },
        {
            "name": "transport",
            "label": "Transport",
            "type": "number",
            "default": "60",
            "optional": true
        },
        {
            "name": "books",
            "label": "Books and supplies",
            "type": "number",
            "default": "40",
            "optional": true
        },
        {
            "name": "phone",
            "label": "Phone and internet",
            "type": "number",
            "default": "30",
            "optional": true
        },
        {
            "name": "other",
            "label": "Other spending",
            "type": "number",
            "default": "120",
            "optional": true
        },
        {
            "name": "currency",
            "label": "Currency",
            "type": "currency",
            "default": "USD"
        }
    ],
    "outputs": [
        {
            "key": "surplus",
            "label": "Monthly surplus (negative = shortfall)",
            "format": "currency"
        },
        {
            "key": "income",
            "label": "Total monthly income",
            "format": "currency"
        },
        {
            "key": "expenses",
            "label": "Total monthly costs",
            "format": "currency"
        },
        {
            "key": "spend_ratio",
            "label": "Share of income spent",
            "format": "percent"
        },
        {
            "key": "yearly",
            "label": "Surplus over 12 months",
            "format": "currency"
        }
    ],
    "formula": {
        "text": "Surplus = Σ income − Σ costs;  Share spent = Σ costs ÷ Σ income × 100",
        "variables": {
            "Σ income": "family support + job + aid per month",
            "Σ costs": "rent, food, transport, books, phone and other spending per month"
        }
    },
    "worked_example": {
        "inputs": {
            "allowance": "600",
            "job": "400",
            "aid": "300",
            "rent": "550",
            "food": "250",
            "transport": "60",
            "books": "40",
            "phone": "30",
            "other": "120",
            "currency": "USD"
        },
        "steps": [
            "Income = 600 + 400 + 300 = 1,300.",
            "Costs = 550 + 250 + 60 + 40 + 30 + 120 = 1,050.",
            "Surplus = 1,300 − 1,050 = 250; share spent = 1,050 ÷ 1,300 = 80.77%."
        ],
        "result": "This budget leaves 250 a month (3,000 a year) after spending 80.77% of income."
    },
    "interpretation": "A shortfall means savings or loans are covering the gap. Rent is usually the largest line; the chart shows which costs to look at first.",
    "assumptions": [
        "All amounts are monthly averages; convert term-time or one-off costs to a monthly figure."
    ],
    "limitations": [
        "One-off costs such as deposits, laptops or travel home are not included unless you spread them across months."
    ],
    "rules": null,
    "faqs": [
        {
            "question": "How do I handle costs paid once a term?",
            "answer": "Divide the term cost by the number of months it covers and add it under the matching line."
        },
        {
            "question": "Should loan money count as income?",
            "answer": "Include it if it pays living costs, but remember it must be repaid; the scholarship gap calculator helps plan the whole year."
        }
    ],
    "sources": [],
    "related": [
        {
            "name": "Scholarship Gap Calculator",
            "url": "https://calculators.geekmidst.com/calculators/scholarship-gap-calculator"
        },
        {
            "name": "Savings Goal Calculator",
            "url": "https://calculators.geekmidst.com/calculators/savings-goal-calculator"
        },
        {
            "name": "Percentage Calculator",
            "url": "https://calculators.geekmidst.com/calculators/percentage-calculator"
        }
    ],
    "disclaimer": "This calculator gives estimates for planning. It is not financial advice, and lenders’ actual terms, fees and rounding may differ.",
    "publisher": "GM¹X CalcVerse"
}