# Student Monthly Budget Calculator

> 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.

Category: Education · Applies to: Worldwide · Last updated: 2026-10-29
Interactive calculator: https://calculators.geekmidst.com/calculators/student-monthly-budget-calculator

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.

## Inputs
- Family support (default 600; optional)
- Part-time job income (default 400; optional)
- Scholarship, loan or aid (monthly) (default 300; optional)
- Rent and utilities (default 550; optional)
- Food and groceries (default 250; optional)
- Transport (default 60; optional)
- Books and supplies (default 40; optional)
- Phone and internet (default 30; optional)
- Other spending (default 120; optional)
- Currency

## Results
- Monthly surplus (negative = shortfall)
- Total monthly income
- Total monthly costs
- Share of income spent
- Surplus over 12 months

## Formula

```
Surplus = Σ income − Σ costs;  Share spent = Σ costs ÷ Σ income × 100
```

Where:
- Σ income: family support + job + aid per month
- Σ costs: rent, food, transport, books, phone and other spending per month

## Worked example
1. Income = 600 + 400 + 300 = 1,300.
2. Costs = 550 + 250 + 60 + 40 + 30 + 120 = 1,050.
3. 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.

## What the result means

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 and limits
- All amounts are monthly averages; convert term-time or one-off costs to a monthly figure.
- One-off costs such as deposits, laptops or travel home are not included unless you spread them across months.

## Questions

### How do I handle costs paid once a term?

Divide the term cost by the number of months it covers and add it under the matching line.

### Should loan money count as income?

Include it if it pays living costs, but remember it must be repaid; the scholarship gap calculator helps plan the whole year.

## Related calculators
- [Scholarship Gap Calculator](https://calculators.geekmidst.com/calculators/scholarship-gap-calculator)
- [Savings Goal Calculator](https://calculators.geekmidst.com/calculators/savings-goal-calculator)
- [Percentage Calculator](https://calculators.geekmidst.com/calculators/percentage-calculator)

_This calculator gives estimates for planning. It is not financial advice, and lenders’ actual terms, fees and rounding may differ._

Source: GM¹X CalcVerse — https://calculators.geekmidst.com/calculators/student-monthly-budget-calculator