The costs of student housing are rising. Here’s how to lower your bill

Yes, college is expensive. Real surprise: housing can be more expensive than tuition. At public four-year colleges in 2023-24, the average cost of room and board was $12,770, more than $11,260 in tuition and fees, according to a 2023 College Board report. Students at community colleges and private schools also faced similarly high housing costs.

High housing prices can impact a student’s ability to continue in college or graduate. According to a 2019 report by the Hope Center at Temple University in Philadelphia, approximately 56% of students surveyed said they had experienced housing insecurity, including the inability to pay rent, in the previous year.

“We’re seeing rising prices and costs whether you study on or off campus, so for many families this is becoming an increasingly larger piece of the puzzle of financing a college education,” says Olan Garrett, associate vice president for student affairs at the University Temple.

There are strategies to reduce college housing costs, from getting roommates to carefully comparing on- and off-campus options. Advisors at your college can help you choose affordable options, even in emergency situations.

Before you take out more student loans than necessary pay for studies housing, consider these expert-approved tips.

Start early and do your research

Start looking for housing as early as possible — for many students looking for off-campus housing, that will be mid to late fall of the next academic year, Garrett says. You may have more time if you want to live on campus: The selection process usually begins in the spring, he says.

“The later you wait, the fewer options there will be,” Garrett says.

One way to get ahead of the competition: Contact leasing agents in your community. “For example, if you are going to an open house or apartment tour, find a letting agent and contact them to find out what other available apartments may be on offer,” suggests Matt Aini, president of the Student HOMES Coalition, organization A student-led organization that promotes affordable housing policies for students. This may help you find apartments that are not yet available online.

Before signing a binding lease, do some research on your potential landlord or rental management company. Contact friends and acquaintances and look for reviews on the Internet.

“How did people perceive the way the owner worked? Is the landlord very responsive to requests?” says Garrett.

Compare on-campus and off-campus options

Living off campus can mean more independence and lower rent, but when it comes to comparing costs with on-campus options, it’s not always an apples-to-apples balance, Garrett says.

If you live on campus, utilities such as heat, water, electricity, garbage and Wi-Fi are usually added to your housing fee. The dormitory can also be fully furnished. Off-campus rent typically does not include these services, so you will have additional study expenses. Off-campus apartments may also require a deposit and first month’s payment in advance.

Most college websites offer online cost of living calculators that can help you compare the average cost of living on and off campus.

If your school is close to home and you have the option of continuing to live there, you may consider commuting to work to save on housing.

Aini, who is a senior at the University of California, Berkeley, lives nearby with his parents and commutes to campus.

“I made a very conscious decision,” says Aini. “And among other things, you see the costs. And I think it just makes it easier.”

Get roommates and manage expectations

Having a roommate is a quintessential college experience for many first-year students at American universities. Even after the first year of life, living with roommates allows you to split rent and utility bills.

“I truly believe there is value in having roommates or a shared living environment,” says Brenda Ice, senior associate dean and senior director of residential life at Brown University in Providence, RI. “It’s not me who says ‘try to fit as many people as possible into a particular house or apartment,’ but I believe that living with more than one person in a shared space has both social benefits and helps reduce costs.

Be willing to compromise on amenities to get a place that fits your budget. You may not be able to live in a brand new or recently renovated dorm without roommates.

“Understand that the first goal of this is to live in a comfortable place where you can sleep, study and do what you need to do,” Garrett says.

Refer to university resources

For help choosing housing options, contact the Housing and Residence Office at your university. School administrators can walk you through on-campus options, and some can help arrange off-campus housing.

“Talk to your housing officer,” Garret advises. “In most cases, one size does not fit all.”

Many universities offer off-campus housing databases with verified landlords and properties. Some may even offer free workshops. For example, Brown works with a campus partner to teach students financial literacy, understanding leases, networking with neighbors and more, Ice says.

Even if your school doesn’t offer such a robust housing resource, it likely employs a housing officer. At North Seattle College, a community college, Housing Resource Specialist Shannon Thomas helps students with emergencies.

“I establish relationships with agencies and programs throughout the area, whether they are community service organizations, city or state programs, private owners, or other schools and agencies,” Thomas explains.

Submit the FAFSA to minimize your loan costs

If you’re looking to take out student loans for housing, prioritize federal student loans, which offer more generous security and flexible repayment options. Must be submitted FAFSA to qualify for need-based federal student loans and Pell Grants. If you borrowed maximum federal loan amountto consider private student loans as a last resort to fill any funding gaps.

Use student loan calculator to see how much your debt may cost you over time.

Read the lease agreement and contact the landlords

If you plan to live off campus, remember that leases are binding legal documents with serious financial consequences. Violation of the terms of the lease can result in additional fees, eviction and a stain on your record that may make it difficult to rent an apartment in the future.

Some schools, such as Brown, employ lawyers to help students with legal advice, including reviewing lease terms and resolving disputes with landlords. You can also bring your lease documents to the free legal clinic at your school or in your neighborhood, says Aini.

If you already live off campus and anticipate problems paying rent, proactively reach out to your landlord, Garrett advises.

“I refer my wife here, who is a property manager, she used to say, ‘talk to the property owner beforehand… if you know you’re going to be a problem, let them know it’s going to be a problem.’ Most landlords are willing to work with you right away,” he explains.

Apply for an emergency housing grant

According to a 2019 Hope Center survey, 14% of students at four-year colleges said they had experienced homelessness in the past 12 months. In higher education institutions this percentage was 18%. The study found that the vast majority of these students were staying temporarily with a relative or friend.

Grants can help you survive in emergency situations when you are at risk of losing your home. States, cities, and institutions typically offer these grants. To learn about your options, contact your institution’s housing officer.

For example, colleges and universities in Washington state may award an emergency grant from the Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) grant.

To apply for a WSAC scholarship, students typically first meet with their school’s housing coordinator, says Thomas, who oversees the WSAC scholarship program at North Seattle College. The amount of money students can receive from this scholarship is flexible, although Thomas says it tops out at around $3,000.

“We will assess their housing and essential needs, then determine which ones are a priority and determine how to find them,” Thomas says. “A student might drop in and say, ‘We’re moving into an apartment that’s going to cost us ‘X’ amount of money. That’s all I have. I don’t get help from my family or I can’t pay for various reasons. Can you help me with this? What happens is that we take a request for financial aid and analyze it as a team.”

Thomas says that in an emergency, he can refer students to a shelter or arrange for them to stay in a motel.

“It’s pretty clear that if you meet the basic needs of your students, you’re going to improve retention rates… and you’re also going to improve the community on your campus,” Thomas says.

Eliza Haverstock writes for NerdWallet. Email: [email protected]. Twitter: @elizahaverstock.

Article The costs of student housing are rising. Here’s how to lower your bill originally appeared on NerdWallet.