Question 4 u college kidz...

[TridenT]

How do you afford rent in college housing? Not like dorms, but like the studio apartments or 1 bedroom apartments they offer. I don't get how you could even have two people in a studio apartment unless you're a couple.. or you love sleeping really close to your other friend in a tinyass place. 1 bedroom places make more sense with the 1 bedroom for one person and then the living room for the other... but I don't get it otherwise... how do you afford it?

It seems ridiculous to live close to campus if I have to be in a place with 3 other guys in a tiny ass apartment. Fuck. I rather live outside of the city with a couple of other guys in a 1500sqft house or something for cheaper.

Since everyone doesn't know here's the dealio, yo:

• I have a 100% tuition waiver. (This means I don't pay for tuition, it's completely free)
• I have my books paid for most probably. (I think my father decided to pay for my textbooks)
• I have about $925/month as income without a job, and I'd like to stay without a job. The reason I have this income is because I get money for going to school full-time. (This is part of VA benefits, Chapter 35, dependents of survivors blahblah)
• All good? Idk.

 

[tokie]

Student loans, parents, etc.

There is no way you can work during college and pay off tuition AND living costs. Making ~$15000 in 8 months while doing school full time is not doable, unless you are in liberal arts or something. Everyone is either on financial aid or their parents/family are helping them out.

 

[Ika]

Because oftentimes having a car is more expensive than the cost of living close to campus?

Also I have no idea what you're talking about. What kind of campus are you talking about? I'm in Philly and no one except grad students lives outside of the campus dorms and nearby houses. Probably the most expensive student housing gets here is around $1050 a month all inclusive for a really nice complex (1br/person). The house we're getting next year for six people will end up around $700/month total. For reference, the dorms are like $700/month for doubles, ~$900 if you want a br to yourself, and anywhere in between for multiple people/room depending on which building it is.

Most kids here are funded by their parents; it's nigh impossible for any college kid to pay his own way through college without loans (unless you're Azurik).

 

[TridenT]

Student loans, parents, etc.

There is no way you can work during college and pay off tuition AND living costs. Making ~$15000 in 8 months while doing school full time is not doable, unless you are in liberal arts or something. Everyone is either on financial aid or their parents/family are helping them out.

What about just rent, food, and whatever else? I'm excluding costs like tuition and books because I have those paid now. I have about $900/month to spend on rent, food, whatever else that isn't books/tuition... :hmm:

A part time job gets you maybe $1000/month or so, right? I don't get how kids afford it with just part time jobs unless they live in really cheap on campus apartments between 2 or three people and pay like $500 a month in rent... :/

 

[Leros]

If you're on a budget, you'll most likely end up in a 3 bedroom apartment. You'll each have your own personal space in your bedroom (like you do at your parent's house now).

I'm not sure about rent near you, but you'll still probably end up paying $500-700 for your share of that place once you include utilities.

If possible, I'd just continue living at home.

 

[TridenT]

Because oftentimes having a car is more expensive than the cost of living close to campus?

Also I have no idea what you're talking about. What kind of campus are you talking about? I'm in Philly and no one except grad students lives outside of the campus dorms and nearby houses. Probably the most expensive student housing gets here is around $1050 a month all inclusive for a really nice complex (1br/person). The house we're getting next year for six people will end up around $700/month total. For reference, the dorms are like $700/month for doubles, ~$900 if you want a br to yourself, and anywhere in between for multiple people/room depending on which building it is.

Talking about University of Washington Seattle mostly... They're not cheap there. For places that are pretty close the uni: Rent:
Studios starting from $845 to $965*
One bedrooms starting from $955 to $1150*, effective August 1st, 2010
Updated 04/2010


Example of the floor plan: http://www.hfs.washington.edu/uploa...modore_Duchess/Commodore%20floorplan3.jpg

 

[deadlyapp]

Student loans, parents, etc.

There is no way you can work during college and pay off tuition AND living costs. Making ~$15000 in 8 months while doing school full time is not doable, unless you are in liberal arts or something. Everyone is either on financial aid or their parents/family are helping them out.

I've worked full time for 2 years while going to school full time in engineering.

It sucks. I was making 27k a year as a Sears manager but my grades were miserable in school.

So yes, I was able to pay for everything, but your school performance is terrible.

 

[Leros]

What about just rent, food, and whatever else? I'm excluding costs like tuition and books because I have those paid now. I have about $900/month to spend on rent, food, whatever else that isn't books/tuition... :hmm:

A part time job gets you maybe $1000/month or so, right? I don't get how kids afford it with just part time jobs unless they live in really cheap on campus apartments between 2 or three people and pay like $500 a month in rent... :/

I'll doubt you'll have the time to make $1000 a month. Most people I know who work only make enough to have a little bit of fun money for the weekend.

 

[Leros]

Because oftentimes having a car is more expensive than the cost of living close to campus?

Also I have no idea what you're talking about. What kind of campus are you talking about? I'm in Philly and no one except grad students lives outside of the campus dorms and nearby houses. Probably the most expensive student housing gets here is around $1050 a month all inclusive for a really nice complex (1br/person). The house we're getting next year for six people will end up around $700/month total. For reference, the dorms are like $700/month for doubles, ~$900 if you want a br to yourself, and anywhere in between for multiple people/room depending on which building it is.

Most kids here are funded by their parents; it's nigh impossible for any college kid to pay his own way through college without loans (unless you're Azurik).

Not all colleges have a lot of on campus housing and a lot of cities are really expensive.

A shitty tiny 2 bedroom apartment near campus would be about $1200-1400 here.

 

[eldorado99]

I lived at home, rent free .

 

[TridenT]

Not all colleges have a lot of on campus housing and a lot of cities are really expensive.

A shitty tiny 2 bedroom apartment near campus would be about $1200-1400 here.

Per person or for the whole thing? How many sqft? Here is how much it is for these: http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/9403/clipboard01dq.jpg http://www.radfordcourt.com/apartment.htm

Some are furnished, some aren't. Those are 3 miles or so away from the campus too... Kinda defeats the point to me.

 

[Leros]

I say that living at home is a great option, but there is some growing up or maturing that comes from moving out of your parents house. And no offense Trident, you need it. (I did too before college).

 

[Ika]

Not all colleges have a lot of on campus housing and a lot of cities are really expensive.

A shitty tiny 2 bedroom apartment near campus would be about $1200-1400 here.

exactly why I asked for context. I think I once heard about someone complaining that their $300/month rent was too expensive...

 

[gorcorps]

I lived in apartments near our school, which were 3 bedroom 1 bathroom... which cost $400/month per person and it included water, cable and internet. Only had to pay energy/gas extra. Lived in the same place for 3 years and thought it worked great. I had a ton of scholarships and grants so I was able to pay for housing without any loans but that's pretty rare.

 

[TridenT]

I say that living at home is a great option, but there is some growing up or maturing that comes from moving out of your parents house. And no offense Trident, you need it. (I did too before college).

Well, it's partly why I am moving. I could stay at home and go to Washington State University Vancouver, but I am going to UW instead... also, it'd be nice to get some more swing dancing in. (More swing dancers up thar)

Are there any scholarships/grants/whatever that will pay for my housing? :O I've already got books and tuition covered in full...

 

[gaidensensei]

Wot

Depends where you are going to college I guess, but I'm probably guessing average price is $500/mo per person even if sharing or not.

At some places in California, like UC Davis can get you a pretty quiet/empty apartment for that price due to the location obviously. While a place like that at UCLA/UCB/UCI is kinda crossing your fingers.

 

[drinkmorejava]

I'm confused. Off campus is much cheaper than on campus. I live as close as possible in a nice place with separate kitchen, dining room, and living room for $490 w/ everything. Everyone also has their own large room. Off campus singles are similarly priced to what you pay for a dorm on campus...except you get your own bathroom and living room. If you want to go in as a group on a property, you can get a 2fl 6 bedroom for $1500/month.

Cheapest dorms are over 6k for a double.

FYI, most colleges aren't in expensive ass major metropolitan areas.

 

[Leros]

Per person or for the whole thing? How many sqft? Here is how much it is for these: http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/9403/clipboard01dq.jpg http://www.radfordcourt.com/apartment.htm

Some are furnished, some aren't. Those are 3 miles or so away from the campus too... Kinda defeats the point to me.

For the whole thing. Not sure on the square footage.

I'm living in 1 bedroom apartment now, which costs $800 ($1000 with utilities). I'm about 3 miles from campus, but I live 1 block from a campus shuttle stop. I walk 3 minutes, ride for 15 minutes, walk 1 minute and I'm at campus.

You're probably looking at some of the more popular, newer, fancier places. We have some places like that near campus and they cost about the same as what you listed. I bet you can find a cheaper place. Try to get on Craigslist. Better yet, see if you can find an apartment locating company.

 

[Leros]

Well, it's partly why I am moving. I could stay at home and go to Washington State University Vancouver, but I am going to UW instead... also, it'd be nice to get some more swing dancing in. (More swing dancers up thar)

Are there any scholarships/grants/whatever that will pay for my housing? :O I've already got books and tuition covered in full...

You're probably going to have to rack up student loans. Have you done your FAFSA yet? What is your expected family contribution and have you been offered any grants/loans yet?

 

[Sumguy]

Scholarships and financial aid FTW :awe:

Also: tight money management and acquiring a good taste for ramen noodles

 

[coldmeat]

I'm living on campus right now. It's a 4 bedroom townhouse. Costs me $800/month and it's the same for my roommates. I don't remember how much I paid for a first year dorm.

Off campus it is between $400-$550 per room.

The only reason I can afford it is because of OSAP. (Ontario Student Assistance Program)

 

[TridenT]

You're probably going to have to rack up student loans. Have you done your FAFSA yet? What is your expected family contribution and have you been offered any grants/loans yet?

Financial aid is out of the question. My family has way too high of an EFC. (I think last year when I applied I got like 36K as their EFC) No loans, no grants, nothing. I just have a 100% tuition waiver and I think my father decided he wanted to pay for my textbooks without me asking. I also have about $900/month as part of going to college from teh gubbunmint. (VA benefits, chapter 35) I don't want to get a job if I don't have to... >.< Although I'd like to have spending money every month... le sigh..

 

[gaidensensei]

You can find some pdf versions of textbooks online.. just do your homework for that ahead of time.

Textbooks are one of the killer costs of college. Play your game right and you can have more money to allocate for other areas.

 

[PhoKingGuy]

Financial aid is out of the question. My family has way too high of an EFC. (I think last year when I applied I got like 36K as their EFC) No loans, no grants, nothing. I just have a 100% tuition waiver and I think my father decided he wanted to pay for my textbooks without me asking. I also have about $900/month as part of going to college from teh gubbunmint. (VA benefits, chapter 35) I don't want to get a job if I don't have to... >.< Although I'd like to have spending money every month... le sigh..

Well don't you have it easy. Get a job if you want spending money you lazy sack of shit

 

[Leros]

Financial aid is out of the question. My family has way too high of an EFC. (I think last year when I applied I got like 36K as their EFC) No loans, no grants, nothing. I just have a 100&#37; tuition waiver and I think my father decided he wanted to pay for my textbooks without me asking. I also have about $900/month as part of going to college from teh gubbunmint. (VA benefits, chapter 35) I don't want to get a job if I don't have to... >.< Although I'd like to have spending money every month... le sigh..

Don't expect any help at all then for housing.

All of my school expenses aside, it costs me about $1500 a month for housing, food, gas, and other basics. I have nice 1 bedroom apartment, fast internet, a car, etc. I think I live pretty good. I'm definitely not a typical poor college student. I could lower that cost if I had to. I could easily drop $300 by getting a slightly cheaper apartment with a roommate.

If you have $900 a month and maybe a small part time job, you'll be fine. I would say try to find a cheaper place to rent, maybe with roommates. Get a small part time job for personal spending money. Don't work too much or you won't have time for school. Get loans to cover the rest.

Are you parents not willing to contribute at all? If you have a high EFC and your parents are only paying for textbooks, then in theory they have some extra money to spare you.