Grants are available to help students pay for college housing and accommodation both on campus and off. Each campus will offer different types housing accommodation facilities which students can take advantage of, usually if you are studying out of your residential state. Many colleges and universities have a variety of off-campus and on-campus facilities too, which means housing prices will vary tremendously between options.

The average cost of on-campus room and board is around $7,500 per academic year. Although this may seem rather expensive for students, you have to take into consideration that this price also includes utility costs, food and maintenance fees. The financial aid available to students studying at an out-of-state college in most cases will not pay for the full cost of housing accommodation, although grants are available to assist with expenses. There are exceptions though! Nursing students studying particular education programs can be given grants that pay the full cost of housing plus tuition fees through the Federal Nursing Scholarship Program.

Sources of Grant Money

Obtaining money for college housing can be difficult as very little is set aside specifically for this purpose. With most education financial aid programs, you need to demonstrate a need for assistance in order to receive grants for school and college, which often involves completing a FAFSA application. You may be able to obtain a housing grant for college through the following resources:

  • Federal College Grant Programs can provide money to help you pay for college housing and living expenses. If you are enrolling or have been approved for on a course of study at a participating college or university you could receive up to and in excess of $10,000 per academic year in grants and financial aid depending on your personal circumstances. The first step to applying for federal funding is to complete a FAFSA application online or through your school.
  • Visit your campus financial aid office, as they will be able to advise you on any locally available housing grant programs. Where specific grants for college housing are available, they will be limited in size and offered on first-come first-served bases. It is often the case that money will be obtainable through larger tuition grants.

Other Smaller Grant Sources

Small amounts grant money can be found at state level to help pay for college housing. Although we’re only talking about 3-figure amounts in most cases, any money is better than none.

Students studying in North Carolina at Davidsons College may receive a grant to help with the cost of housing. This housing grant is limited to summer assistantship program students living on campus who participate in research projects. In addition to receiving a housing grant, students also receive food and a stipend, which can amount to around $3,000.

If you have enrolled in a Massachusetts community college, providing you can prove a need for financial help you may receive a housing grant from the Massachusetts State College Building Authority, who houses approximately 12,000 students every year. Funds are limited and usually provided to students who are living on campus.

In order to utilize any grant money you receive for housing and living costs whilst attending college, you should consider the alternative housing options. Often grant money comes from several sources in small amounts. You could save over 50%, reducing cost of college housing and living expenses by planning ahead.