As college students around the country head to campus, a StudentUniverse survey reveals a significant expense that most students and parents have overlooked ― the cost of traveling to and from school.

Even when travel expenses are budgeted, one in ten college students reports spending more than they planned. The survey found that half of today’s 17 million college studentspay their own way when traveling. Even when parents foot the tuition bill, most students say they are responsible for getting themselves to and from campus each semester and for funding spring break trips and other travel.

Students are true frequent-travelers, traveling eight times per year on average and representing the most active segment of leisure travelers. With that much travel, the costs can quickly add up. The good news is there are student-specific discounts students can take advantage of.

According to the survey, which polled 896 students nationwide, students spend an average of $1,200 per year on travel. The most popular travel reasons cited were (1) going home or to school (56%), (2) spring break (47%) and (3) Thanksgiving break (40%). Fifty-seven percent also cited “other” (unspecified) travel reasons.

With so many students paying for their own tuition (50%), the cost of which is reportedly rising an average of six percent annually[3], and also paying for their own travel (57%), finding ways to save money and stay on budget is always top-of-mind.

Taking advantage of student discounts is key. Travel Web sites that specifically cater to student needs and budgets can really help keep travel expenses in check. On average StudentUniverse.com customers save an average of 13 percent compared to fares available to the general public on other Web sites.