I had just recently visited the campus over spring break and was convinced that OU would be my definite choice this fall. However, after I was completing the housing application, I learned that I would have to pay the room and board charges for on-campus housing once the semester commences. I spoke briefly with someone at the financial aid office about it and they explained I be paying either 4,871 or 4,358 in September and January. ( is this standard throughout all universities) I had no idea that this was a requirement and I figured that I would be charged for the housing after graduation.(Sorry if that’s naive, but i’m a first generation college student) Considering my EFC is 0 and I am eligible for each of the grants offered by the university. My sister, who attended OSU tells me that because she received financial aid, she was not required to pay the on-campus housing until after graduation. So I would like to hear from past students and their parents on what their situation was like. I have around 3K saved from working and would continue to work during college but I was just not planning on using this money toward housing. I will definitely seek a cheaper housing alternative after my freshman year. (sidenote: Would there be any way for a freshman to live off-campus after their first semester instead of the stated full year?) Where should I seek scholarships specifically for housing?
@ThomasRipley it is very unlikely that OSU is not charging your sister for room and board until after graduation. It is likely that she is using a student loan to cover her room and board charges and that she will be paying that loan back after graduation. I have never heard of a college that charges room and board for freshman year after graduation.
Be aware that even though off campus housing is less expensive, it doesn’t include a food plan and you’ll need to factor that in, of course you can eat less expensively than the campus food plan but you’ll still need some money for food. Also off campus housing will usually require first month’s rent, and last month’s rent and a security deposit before you move in. Depending on the type of off campus housing, you may also need to pay utility deposits and provide your own furniture.
@ThomasRipley I agree with @3scoutsmom, I have never heard of a college not requiring payment for room and board, or for anything else for that matter, until graduation. The money may come from grants and/or loans if not from the student’s or the student’s family money, but the college expects to be paid in full either at the outset or during the current semester.
Based on running the NPC, for an Oklahoma resident with an EFC of zero, you qualify for $12400 in grants and gift aid (including the Oklahoma Promise). That leaves $11,300 you would have to get from other means. $5500 of this could be covered the first year (slightly more in subsequent years) by a guaranteed student loan bringing the amount you need from other sources down to an estimated $5800. If you cannot pay 1/2 of what is due for the year at the beginning the semester, you may be able to get put on a payment plan that involves payments spread out over the semester, but you will also be charged interest for that. You would have to talk to the financial aid office about this option.