Just like in high school, ensure that your child has enough personal effects like toiletries, stationery etc to take them throughout the semester. This will vary from one student to another therefore identify how much of each your child requires let us say in a month. It is important to also note that unlike in high school where exercise books are provided, Universities do not provide stationery. So students at the University are required to photocopy handouts once in a while, type assignments, have enough foolscaps/notebooks and pens. There is no one at the University to take care of your child in case these items or cash run out: they are on their own. Therefore prepare to provide appropriately.  Nevertheless some Universities have  work study program for students where students work for a number of hours per week for let us say two weeks and earn some little cash for their upkeep. Encourage your child to find out from the office of the Dean of Students opportunities available. They can also apply for HELB loan but priority for the loan received should be fee payment. Otherwise it would be futile work to pay rent, buy meals and cater for their upkeep using HELB loan and yet their fee is not paid because at the end of the semester they will not be able to sit for exams if their full fee is not paid.