<p>I recently made my decision to attend San Diego State in the fall. The intent to enroll deposit is $400 and the housing deposit is $800 and I have to pay all of this my May. I know everyone is having some sort of financial issue, and I am definitely one of them and my single mother and I cannot afford this. So I was wondering, is there any way I can avoid this deposit? To be honest, I don't really know what it's for.</p>
<p>It’s primarily a good faith agreement between you and the school that you will attend. If there were no deposits I could see a multitude of incoming students all agreeing to go there and then changing their minds with no impact to them but a great impact to the school. You’ll have to call the admissions office about whether you can make payment arrangements that don’t put the money all up front.</p>
<p>No offense jellybean but how are you going to afford tuition, fees, travel expense, books and food? Your next step is to have serious discussions with FinAid at the college. There are perhaps pots of money, etc. but if this step can’t be surmounted, what will you do for the ones afterward?</p>