Freshmen are allowed to bring a car on campus, however it is not necessary. It is relatively easy to get a ride home, especially to St. Louis or Omaha. Any student living in the residence halls is required to purchase a meal plan each semester. Any money remaining on a student's card carries over between the fall and spring semester. Each student's expenditures vary.
Most students spend more at the beginning of the year on organization fees, etc.
Many families decide to have the student spend their work study salary instead of giving them an allowance. Talking on the phone can get expensive. The beginning of freshman year many families call several times a week. Once things settle down, probably one time a week is normal. Remember student schedules are different from ours.