Managing weekly expenses can feel like walking a financial tightrope. Rising living costs, tuition fees, and the juggling act of part-time jobs all contribute to the pressure.
On average, Canadian students can expect to spend approximately 1,200 to 3,000 per month on living expenses alone. Three students with varying financial backgrounds and spending habits spoke to The Journal about their weekly spending habits and earnings.
For Chloe Wong, HealthSci ’26, her family and government support play a significant role in her financial stability.
“My parents cover a lot of my expenses, and I rely on Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) grants and loans every year. I also have a few scholarships, including the Queen’s Commitment Bursary, which helps,” Wong said in an interview with the Journal.
The Commitment Bursary is designed to support first-year undergraduate students who self-identify as members of underserved or underrepresented groups and demonstrate financial need. Eligible students can receive between $2,000 and $5,000 annually, with the possibility of renewal for up to three additional years.
This bursary is part of the University’s broader initiative to enhance equity, diversity, inclusion, and Indigeneity on campus. In the 2022-23 academic year, more than 300 students benefited from the Commitment Bursary, receiving a total of over $935,000 in support over their four years of study.
Despite receiving the bursary, half of Wong’s income is allocated to rent in a house she shares with five other people off-campus, where she pays $800 monthly with utilities included. Wong spends about $70 weekly on groceries, but often supplements meals with dining hall visits or takeout.
“I’ve started having my groceries delivered through Uber. It’s a lot more cost-efficient than regular takeout,” Wong said.
Wong’s transportation costs are minimal thanks to the Bus-it Program provided by the AMS, although occasional Uber rides add about $20 weekly.
The AMS Bus-It program is an initiative by AMS that provides students with unlimited access to Kingston Transit’s bus services throughout the year, funded by a $122 student activity fee for the academic year. The program enables students to use their Queen’s University student card, validated with a current year sticker, as a bus pass.
“It’s [finances are] manageable, but I still have to be careful with how I allocate my funds,” Wong said.
Wong’s estimated . While her funding sources provide stability, Wong acknowledges that careful budgeting is still essential to avoid overspending, ensuring her resources stretch through the academic year.
Omolara Akinnuoye, Nurs ’25, has a different financial setup. While her parents cover her rent, Akinnuoye runs a lash business to earn money for personal expenses.
“Most of my income comes from my business, which I use to cover groceries, dining out, and other costs,” Akinnuoye said in an interview with The Journal.
Groceries cost $150 biweekly, and dining out adds another $50. Transportation expenses are kept low due to Bus-it Program provided by the AMS, but Akinnuoye occasionally uses Uber, costing around $20 weekly.
“Balancing necessary expenses like groceries with discretionary spending is the biggest challenge,” Akinnuoye said. She allocates $50 to $80 biweekly for entertainment, clothing, and personal care but often must cut back on extras.
“If I splurge on something, I reduce Uber rides or skip coffee runs to stay within my budget. It’s all about prioritizing essentials,” Akinnuoye said.
Akinnuoye spends around $150 a biweekly on groceries, $50 dining out, $40 on Uber rides, and $50 to $80 on personal spending, coming to $290 to $320 biweekly and $145 to $160 weekly. In comparison to her income, Akinnuoye maintains a modest surplus, which she saves for unexpected expenses.
For Aliyah Peter, ArtSci ’26, parental support significantly eases financial stress.
“My parents cover my tuition and rent, so I only need to worry about personal spending,” Peter said in an interview with The Journal.
Peter works two part-time jobs, one on campus and the other at a fast-food restaurant off-campus to provide enough income for groceries, dining out, and other purchases.
“Groceries cost about $100 biweekly, and takeout about 2 to 3 times a week due to my busy schedule,” said Peter.
Living off-campus with two friends, Peter contributes a small amount, around five per cent of her income to household essentials like insurance and Wi-Fi. Transportation costs are negligible, as she primarily walks or takes advantage of the Bus-it Program. She also chips in about $20 weekly when she uses her housemate’s car.
While Peter expressed gratitude for her parents’ financial support, she acknowledged the strain it places on them.
“Tuition is around $7,000 a year, and housing is expensive. My parents also support my siblings, so I try to be mindful of how much I spend,” Peter said.
Due to this support from her parents, Peter noted her financial situation allows her to avoid the sacrifices many financially independent students face.
Peter generates a weekly income of about $200 and her weekly expenses come to approximately $150 a week. This leaves her with a weekly surplus of about $50. Some weeks her expenses are higher than her income and this deficit is covered by her savings.
The financial realities faced by students like Wong, Akinnuoye, and Peter mirror broader trends in student life across Canada. The average Canadian student pays over $7,000 in tuition and around $1,200 monthly on living expenses, with housing and food accounting for the largest portions of their budgets.
Juggling part-time work, financial aid, and family contributions remains essential to making ends meet. Queen’s offers bursaries and financial aid opportunities like work-study programs for students.
Tags
cost of living, financial aid, student finances
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