Financial Planning - Current Engineering Undergraduates

U of T Financial Planning Calculator

Budget your year at U of T by using the financial planning calculator. This calculator will show you how much money you will need to cover tuition and fees, housing costs, food and everything else for the upcoming academic year. Students can add background and income information to receive a budget summary and useful resources.

Financial Planning Tips

(Text adapted from the Career Centre Library Tipsheet)

Financial planning is a skill most people are forced to acquire at some point in their lives. This is especially true for university students and recent graduates. The current student debt situation, coupled with the high cost of living in the city, makes financial planning essential.

Financial plans can be long or short-term, structured or unstructured. Some people prefer to cross financial bridges when they come to them, while others adhere to a strict budget. There are no hard and fast rules for financial planning since every situation and person is unique, but there are some basic principles everyone should follow.

Don’t panic! There are many people out there in your position — and resources to help you get through. Start dealing with your financial situation now by assessing your situation and setting priorities. Below is some general financial advice to help you.

Financial Planning 101: Things You Should Know

Dealing with Debt

As soon as you have acquired a small pool of savings ($500 or more) to cover contingencies, start working immediately on paying off any accumulated debts. Credit card debt takes priority over student debt as it usually charges very high interest rates. Keep in mind that you can often consolidate credit card debt by taking out a personal loan from your bank at a much lower rate of interest.

Student Loans

Keep in mind that you must begin payments on your student loan six months after your last day of full-time study. This can be of great significance if you do not find employment immediately after graduation. If you are not able to make payments when the time arrives, contact the University Registrar's Office to pick up the forms necessary to apply for interest relief, and contact the bank branch where you negotiated the loan to make payments.

Your bank can also give you information about income-sensitive and extended-repayment plans. Do everything you can to avoid becoming delinquent or defaulting on your student loans; otherwise, your credit report could be damaged, which could affect your ability to rent a home or even land jobs.

If you are participating in the Professional Experience Year Co-op Program (PEY Co-op), you will retain your student status. This means you will still have access to University support services and will not begin repaying your OSAP student loan (if applicable) while you work. Students receiving provincial loans from Alberta are eligible for interest-free status while on PEY Co-op. Please check with your provincial lender for further information.

Financial Aid

If you are still in school or planning to return to school, ensure you have researched all the scholarships, grants, and bursaries available to you.

Visit the U of T Engineering Registrar’s Office or the University Registrar's Office for bursary forms and scholarship information. Every year, there are scholarships that go unclaimed because people are not aware of their existence or do not feel they have a good chance.

What About Taxes?

Take advantage of tax breaks! Students can deduct the interest on their student loans and claim part of their tuition. Become familiar with your tax return and make sure that you are not missing any opportunities to minimize the amount you pay. Do not assume that whoever is doing your taxes is maximizing your benefits. Mistakes or oversights can cause you to overpay, or, if you underpay, there will be penalties and delayed returns.

Budgeting Your Money

Creating a budget is easier than it sounds. Start by identifying your fixed expenses and spending patterns to get a better idea of where you can afford to cut down on expenses. For budgeting tips visit U of T’s Financial Aid page.

A good way to save is to simply set aside 10% of every pay cheque and place it into a special savings account. If you look at the money as being ”untouchable”, then you will be motivated to find a way to stretch your pay cheque further. You will also have the luxury of having savings set aside for emergencies.

Benjamin Franklin once said, “Beware of little expenses. A small leak may sink a great ship.” It’s the little things that are costing you thousands of dollars a year.

Here are a few ways to cut hidden expenses:

Look for ways to avoid spending before rushing out to solve problems with an outlay of cash. It is less expensive to repair a broken screen than to replace it.
Pack your lunch, snacks, and drinks—it's amazing how seemingly small amounts add up over time!
Eliminate unnecessary expenses — special cable channels, magazine subscriptions, or driving to work.
Break costly habits—smoking, gambling and eating out are huge money-grabbers. Stay in and be creative.
Save money and energy by running electricity-intensive appliances at night when the rates are lower.
Delay purchases until you have shopped around for the best deal.
Buy used instead of new. Try estate sales, yard sales, consignment shops, etc.
Learn to do more things yourself — e.g., cooking, home or auto repair, gardening, and home remodelling.
Use coupons and faithfully bank the savings.

A helpful resource for students is the U of T Financial Planning Calculator which can help you make a budget and direct you to more resources.

RRSPs and Investments

An effective means of increasing the power of your savings, and one highly recommended by planners, is the use of RRSPs. They not only allow you to invest your money in a variety of vehicles and avoid paying tax on your capital gains, but they also allow you to deduct the amount of your contribution from your previous year’s income. This can facilitate a greater income tax refund in the short term and can allow you to start saving for a down payment on a home or for retirement.

It is important to start early. Consider the following example: if you invest $2,000 each year into a tax-sheltered RRSP from the age of 21 to the age of 35, it will be worth over $1.2 million by the time you are 65 (based on a 10% compound interest). If, on the other hand, you put this off until you are 35 and deposit $2,000 each year until you are 50, it would be worth less than $300,000 by the time you reach 65. Time is on your side if you start now. Putting away as little as $50 a month will quickly add up and will help to develop good financial habits.

Investing

Avoid investing or participating in mutual funds or high-risk stocks without first discussing your financial plan. Budget with someone who has a good grasp of the fundamentals of investing to avoid making many of the common mistakes of first-time investors. Research thoroughly your investment choices before committing yourself to a long-term plan where there may be hidden costs. Most financial service organizations offer some form of financial planning counselling, so don’t hesitate to ask for advice.

Resources

The following are online resources that can help you plan your finances:

Canada Student Aid & Education Planning: Use the education cost calculator, budget calculator and loan repayment calculator to organize your finances.
Canadian Bankers Association: The Canadian Bankers Association has great budgeting tips, strategies and information about credit and investing.
Debt-Free Graduate: The Debt-Free Graduate is filled with useful tips and has links to several online resources including budget calculators, recipes and saving tips.