- Find a roommate, or several. Even those who prefer to live alone can find a shared housing situation that works, with like-minded housemates.
- Live with family. Some students have the option of living for free with parents or other family members, or renting a room for dirt cheap.
- Ask around to find a good deal on rent. A friend of a friend, boss or acquaintance may be willing to offer cheaper rent to a familiar tenant rather than a stranger.
- Shop around for apartments in suburban areas or less hip/popular neighborhoods where prices are lower, and sign a lease to keep rent from being raised.
- On the flip side, living as close to campus as possible can be great for the budget. Walking or bicycling to school can save a ton of money – and also provide health benefits.
- With rent skyrocketing, try living in a senior center. Check with your college to see if they have connections withsenior centers that also provide inexpensive or free housing to college students.
- For students willing to take on extra responsibilities, being a resident advisor or finding an apartment management gig is a great way to go, with perks like free or discounted rent.
- Look around for alternative housing. RVs, tiny houses, mobile homes, mother-in-law or basement apartments work great for students. Low maintenance and low rent is a win-win!
- Budget and track spending religiously, though not always easy. Mint, Dave Ramsey, and online banking budget tools are excellent resources for creating a workable budget. And best of all, many are free.
- Supplement income with a side-hustle. Try tutoring, freelance writing,online surveys, secret shopping or participating in aresearch study or focus group.
- A paid internship can kill two birds with one stone, by providing income while earning credits towards a degree. Some colleges also offer on-campus jobs with tuition waivers.
- Apply for scholarships and grants that can be used for living expenses in addition to covering tuition. Talk to school advisors and research online to find these.
- Use local onlineBuy Nothinggroups,craigslist,Facebook Marketplace, and local thrift stores to find furniture, fun décor, clothing and other odds and ends for free, or super cheap.
- Shop at discount and dollar stores for basic items. Findcompanies online that offer free samplesof food, toiletries and other household supplies.
- Sell some non-essential items. Several easy-to-use apps like OfferUp and letgo can make the process quicker and easier.