• Financial Aid
• Current Students
• Living Off-Campus

Living Off Campus

The Financial Aid Office has determined the costs associated with living off-campus based on national averages as well as the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) survey of Student Expenses and Resources Survey (SEARS).

A student living off-campus will see a reduction in their overall eligibility for financial aid based on the less expensive options of either living off-campus or with parent(s). Most students who live off-campus see a reduction in their need-based scholarship by the difference between the On-Campus and Off-Campus or with Parent budgets. 

2013-2014 Budgets	On-Campus	Off-Campus	with Parent
Tuition	$45,190	$45,190	$45,190
Fees	$1,080	$1,080	$1,080
Room & Board	$12,940	$9,154	$4,748
Books & Supplies	$1,244	$1,244	$1,244
Misc/Personal Expenses	$1,570	$1,570	$1,570
Local Transportation	$957	$957	$957
Total	$62,981	$59,195	$54,789

 

For example, if you normally receive $25,000 in need-based scholarship when living on-campus, and you decide to live off-campus, you can expect a reduction in your scholarship of $3,786. Thus your off-campus scholarship amount would be $21,214. If you plan to live with your parents, the reduction is $8,192 and your scholarship amount would be $16,808.

When planning your off-campus room and board budget, you should try to budget for $9,154 (the budget given above) for a 10 month period (August-May). With a budget of $9,154 over 10 months, you can afford to spend $915/month for all off-campus expenses (i.e. rent, food, utilities, and internet). If your expenses are close to this amount, you would spend the same amount of money whether you lived on-campus (in a double with meal plan B) or off-campus. If your monthly budget is more, living off-campus will be more costly than living on-campus. If your off-campus expenses are less, then you would be saving money by living off-campus.

Please note that grants and scholarships cannot be used to subsidize off-campus living. If your financial aid package includes grants and scholarships in excess of tuition and fees, your grants and scholarships will be capped at this figure. You might be eligible for an increase in student loans or work award to meet your off-campus living expenses.