Yes, college is expensive. The 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, higher than the $11,260 for tuition and fees, according to a College Board report of 2023. Students at community colleges and private schools have also faced similarly high housing costs.

High housing prices can impact a student’s ability to succeed in college or graduate. According to a 2019 report from the Hope Center at Temple University in Philadelphia, about 56% of students surveyed reported experiencing housing insecurity — including the inability to pay rent — during the year. previous.

“We’re seeing an increase in prices and costs whether you’re on campus or off campus, and so it’s becoming a more important piece of the college education financing puzzle for many families,” says Olan Garrett, vice-president. associate president of student affairs at Temple University.

There are strategies to reduce your college housing costs, from finding roommates to thoroughly comparing on- and off-campus options. Your college counselors can guide you toward affordable options, even in an emergency.

Before taking out more student loans than you need to pay for college housing, consider these expert-approved tips.

Start early and do your research

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

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

One way to get a head start: Contact leasing agents in your community. “For example, if you’re attending an open house or apartment showing, find the leasing agent and contact them to see what other available units might come up,” suggests Matt Aini, president of the Student HOMES Coalition , a student-run organization that promotes affordable student housing policies. This might help you find apartments that aren’t yet listed online.

Do some research on your potential landlord or property management company before signing a binding lease. Reach out to your friends and peers and look for reviews online.

“How do people perceive the way the owner works? Is the owner very responsive to requests? Garrett said.

Compare on-campus and off-campus options

Off-campus living may come with greater independence and cheaper rent, but when it comes to comparing costs with on-campus options, it’s not always “apples to apples.” apples,” says Garrett.

With on-campus living, utilities like heat, water, electricity, trash, and WiFi are typically rolled into your housing costs. The dormitory can also be fully furnished. Off-campus rent generally does not include these services, so you will have additional college expenses. Off-campus apartments may also require a security deposit and first month’s rent in advance.

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

If your school is close to home and you have the option to continue living there, you may consider relocating to save money on housing.

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

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

Find roommates and manage expectations

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

“I believe there is value in roommates or shared living environments,” says Brenda Ice, senior associate dean and senior director of residential life at Brown University in Providence, RI. “I’m not saying, ‘try to pack as many people together as you can in a particular house or apartment,’ but I believe there is both a social benefit to living with more than one person in a shared space, while also helping to reduce costs.

Be prepared 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 residence without roommates.

“Understand that the first goal is to be able to live in a comfortable place that allows you to sleep, study and do the things you need to do,” Garrett says.

Contact university resources

For help with your housing choices, contact your university’s Housing and Residence Life office. School administrators can guide you through on-campus options, and some can help you with off-campus housing.

“Talk to a housing officer,” Garret says. “In most cases, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. »

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

Even if your school doesn’t offer as robust housing resources, it likely has a housing officer. At North Seattle College, a community college, Shannon Thomas, a housing resource specialist, helps students with emergency housing situations.

“I make connections with agencies and programs throughout the region, whether they are community service organizations, municipal or state programs, private landlords, or other schools and agencies,” says Thomas .

Submit the FAFSA to Minimize Borrowing Costs

If you must take out student loans for housing, prioritize federal student loans, which offer more generous protections and flexible repayment options. You must submit the FAFSA to qualify for federal student loans and need-based Pell Grants. If you borrowed the maximum federal loan amountconsider private student loans as a last resort to fill any funding gap.

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

Read your lease and communicate with landlords

If you’re considering living off-campus, be aware that leases are binding legal documents with major financial implications. Violating the terms of your lease can result in additional fees, eviction, and a stain on your record that could make it difficult to rent an apartment in the future.

Some schools, like Brown, employ attorneys to help students with legal advice, including reviewing lease terms and resolving disputes between landlords. You can also take your lease documents to a free legal clinic in your school or community, says Aini.

If you’re already living off-campus and anticipate a problem paying your rent, contact your landlord proactively, Garrett advises.

“I’m channeling my wife here, who is a property manager, she was saying, ‘communicate with your landlord as early as possible…if you know you’re going to be a problem, let them know you’re going to be a problem.’ Most landlords are willing to work with you from the start,” he explains.

Request emergency housing assistance

According to the Hope Center’s 2019 survey, 14% of students at four-year colleges reported experiencing homelessness in the past 12 months. At community colleges, that figure was 18 percent. The vast majority of these students stayed temporarily with a relative or friend, according to the survey.

Grants can help you get by in emergency situations where you risk losing your home. States, cities, and institutions typically offer these grants. To learn more about your options, contact your institution’s housing manager.

For example, Washington state colleges can distribute the Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) emergency grant.

To apply for the WSAC grant, students typically first meet with a housing coordinator at their school, says Thomas, who oversees the WSAC grant program at North Seattle College. The amount of money students can get through this scholarship is flexible, although Thomas says it can go up to around $3,000.

“We’ll assess their housing needs, their basic needs, and then we’ll prioritize and make a plan to find them,” Thomas says. “A student might come to us and say, ‘We’re moving into an apartment that’s going to cost us “X” amount of money. I only have a limited quantity. I don’t get help from my family or I can’t pay for various reasons. So can you help me with that? And so what happens is we take a financial aid application and we explore it as a team.

In an emergency, Thomas says he can direct students to a shelter or arrange a stay at a motel.

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

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

The article Student housing costs are increasing. Here’s how to reduce your bill originally appeared on NerdWallet.