INT 101 Money Matters Case Study Claudia is a first-year college student enrolled in her Fall Semester at the University. She is majoring in Business with a minor in Psychology. The University is a 2-hour drive south-east from her family home in northern Pennsylvania. She graduated from a public high school with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.4, which qualified her to receive the University's merit-based Dean's Scholarship totaling \$16,000 applicable in equal terms to her Fall Semester ($8,000) and Spring Semester ($8,000). Tuition \& Fees for her Fall Semester totals $18,000. [\$18,000] Anticipated Tuition \& Fees for her Spring Semester is also $18,000. She lives on campus in the residence halls in a double suite with roommates who are becoming her close friends [$4,650]. As a student living on-campus, she does not have any specific bills for utilities like water \& gas/electric, or internet/Wi-Fi as these accommodations are in place for residential students. She is a first-generation college student from a lower-income family. As such, she receives a Pell Grant for her Fall semester. [S2000] (although her family household income may not have much to spare, the supply of love and encouragement is abundant') Her mom's job provides health insurance as an employee benefit. This provides health insurance coverage for family through her mom's paycheck deductions. As such, it is an expense that her mother covers but since Claudia graduated from high school, she decided to contribute $50 to the cost of the health insurance each month [\$150 for the 3 months of Fall Semester total]. After following the guidance of her Financial Assistance Counselor at the University, she has secured a workstudy position of 10 hours per week for the Fall Semester in the University Library. Over the period of the 15 week Fall Semester, so long as she works 10 hours each week, she will earn $1000. [\$1000]. Her income is taxed at the Federal Rate for her individual income level at 10% and at the PA State Level at 3.07%. To decrease costs of transportation to and from the campus, her parents drive her to the campus (no cost to Claudia) at the start of the semester and piek her up at the end of each semester. Knowing the limit of opportunities to "go home" she is sure to find ways to participate in campus ministry retreats and club/intramural sports. These entertainment and activities are provided by the college. This enriches her university experience overall as she lives and learns on-campus. To keep in touch with her family, she contributes to her parents family plan for monthly cell phone service [S50 each month/ Fall Semester 3 Months total]. She uses her iPhone for face time and family text threads. Although her parents do not know exactly what it is like to be a college student, they love to hear about what she is learning. She has some money saved [\$1000] in her bank account from her summer job as a lifeguard. She uses this money to support her regular expenses, like personal care items (shampoo, face wash, toothpaste, hygiene products, ete.) each semester [\$50]. Additionally, the money she has saved from her summer job as a lifeguard provides for variable expenses throughout the Fall Semester on things like coffee \& snacks [S50], gifts [S25], entertainment [\$25], laundry (washer \& dryer fees) [\$50], and charitable contributions [\$50]. It is a faith-based practice she maintains in charitable giving. The very act of generosity brings her a greater sense of gratitude for what she has. When it comes to clothing, she wears mostly athletic-leisure clothing. The college scene seems to raffle off a basket of University merch at soecer games and student events, which has been a free \& fun addition to her wardrobe; but like many college students, she likes to purchase a University hoodie. And with the seasons changing from Summer to Fall to Winter this Fall Semester, she occasionally needs to purchase new clothing/shoes, [\$150]