17 Best Free Housing Assistance Programs for College Students
17 Best Free Housing Assistance Programs for college students. The cost of housing while in school is a major expense. Although some students get financial aids from the federal government, there are also several housing programs to help college students.
A survey shows that the students who choose to dwell on-campus at the University of Oklahoma have to pay a monthly housing cost of 1,221 US Dollars. And the figures keep on increasing. At the University of Virginia.
College Housing Scholarships
Housing programs are designed specifically to meet the unique needs of college students. This has emerged as a great housing option for students and their parents, offering features such as leases tied to the academic calendar, and furnished units that reduce the hassle associated with moving.
Top Free Best Housing Assistance For College Students
- United States Interagency Council on Homelessness
- National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth
- Homes for Students of Higher Education
- National Center for Homeless Education
- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
- Resident Life Offices.
- CTLaw Help
- Sublet.com
Federal Grants for Paying College Housing:
- National SMART Program.
- Montgomery GI Bill.
- FAFSA.
- Pell Grant.
- Academic Competitiveness Grant.
So where to look for academic funding grants?
For most of the students trying to get through college in these times of immense inflation, a mixed bag of financial aid seems to be the only option. Even though the opportunities are quite limited as compared to the needs, there is a great possibility of worthy students getting their hands on the right one with proper planning and thoughtfulness. So if you too are looking to compile a financial package for your college and related expenditures, make sure to give due consideration to federal, state, and institutional grants.
What Is A Student Housing Program?
Student Housing or Purpose-Built Student Housing program refers to a subset of the residential real estate asset class. It is an apartment community designed for residents in higher education. Student housing units are generally located in the vicinity of college campuses and give students the opportunity of being employed as community assistants so that they can earn while providing support to their fellow student residents.
How can College Students Apply for Housing Assistance?
However, students can try to resolve the issue and ease out the process of reducing, and, in some cases, reducing this heaviest cost related to college for themselves on a self-help basis. This can be achieved by applying to rental assistance programs and by submitting an application for house grants.
The Best Free Housing Assistance Programs for college students.
1. Section 8 or Section 42 of Housing Assistance
There are certain government-sponsored housing programs to which students, who have a specific level of income, may find themselves eligible. These housing programs depend upon the level of income of the students. The income requirement for the Section 8 Housing program ranges between 30 and 50 percent of the county’s average median income.
2. Become an Resident Assistants
Every college and university has its own eligibility criteria set for RA applicants which are based on the GPA and credit completion. So it’s best to go through them first before applying as an RA to check if you are eligible or not. Students who wish to cut down on their residential costs as well as to have some source of income for themselves can efficiently do both things at once by becoming a Resident Assistants.
3. Apply to Federal or State Grants
Students attending colleges or universities within their own states can apply for state grants. There are a number of financial funds operating in every state, which provide financial aid to students on both a need basis and on a merit basis. An example of such funds is the Educational Opportunity Fund operating in New Jersey.
4. Apply to the Gradient Gives Back Foundation
In case a student becomes successful in renting a home but finds it difficult to keep up with the payment of rent, he can seek assistance from the Gradient Gives Back Foundation. This organization makes payments on behalf of its recipients against mortgage or lease agreements.
Top Best Housing Assistance Programs Available for College Students
#1. Pell Grant
The federal Pell Grant program is the largest grant program for worthy students. This program provides unaccompanied students with help in paying off their tuition fees and housing expenses.
#2. National SMART Program
A notch above the Academic Competitiveness Grants comes to the Science and Math Access to Retain Talent program. This program accommodates potential third and fourth-year students who are enrolled in science, math, engineering, and other technical curriculums.
#3. Montgomery GI Bill
For soldiers, the military service has initiated the Montgomery GI Bill program. This is one of the oldest federal educational assistance programs which facilitates qualified veterans with their housing, tuition, textbooks, and other college-related course materials and expenses.
#4. FAFSA
FASFA or the Free Application for Federal Students Aid is a form provided by the US Department of Education, which gives worthy students access to a number of grants and loan programs.
#5. Academic Competitiveness Grants
The AGC is a merit-based financial assistance program that accommodates first and second-year students who maintain rigorous academic records during high school and college.
#6. Homes for Students of Higher Education
The Homes for Students of Higher Education, as the name suggests, is a housing program that caters to the needs of college and university students in particular.
#7. United States Interagency Council on Homelessness
The USICH is a body, responsible to synchronize the Federal government’s response to the rampantly increasing matter of homelessness, particularly among college students.
#8. US Department of Housing and Urban Development
Also known as the HUD, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development caters to the residential needs of homeless youth and adults alike. Not only does the HUD work with community partners across the country, but also contributes resources to enable collaborative efforts between homeless service providers and educational systems.
#9. National Centre for Homeless Education
Based at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, the NCHE cohorts with parents, homeless service providers, and schools to ensure that unaccompanied students have proper access to all the resources they need to carry out their education smoothly- including residence.
#10. Youngstown State University Housing Grants
Such unaccompanied students pursuing their degree from the Youngstown State University can benefit from the institution’s housing grant, provided that they live in university housing or courtyard apartments.
#11. CARES Program
Putting their efforts in the cause of supporting those students who are facing troubles while pursuing higher education due to housing instability, a number of colleges have initiated support programs.
#12. LIM College Housing Grants
For those worthy students studying business and fashion at the LIM College in New York City, the institution has initiated housing grants worth $1500 each per year.
#13. National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth
The NAEHCY is an organization, working to establish equity between the students belonging to the upper class and those, belonging to the lower class. It works for those students, experiencing homelessness or housing instability, and provides them with such resources, which can help eliminate the obstacles in their academic careers.
#14. CT Law Help
The lawyers and other legal workers of Connecticut have formed this organization known as the CT Law Help to provide legal assistance to the low-income citizens of Connecticut.
#15. Sublet.com
Sublet.com is a search engine that allows students to find and access affordable housing in the US.
#16. Homes for Students of Higher Education
Homes for Students of Higher Education provides homeless students with care packages, shelter, and educational material to increase their awareness of the resources available in their communities.
How To Apply For Financial Aid/Housing Grants
First and foremost, students who are homeless, or at risk of becoming homeless, and “unaccompanied” are eligible to receive student aid. As a matter of facts, students are asked about their living status on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
How To Apply For FAFSA Housing Assistance for college students
- Visit www.FAFSA.gov
- When completing the application, students identifying as homeless should indicate that they fall into the “special circumstances” category, meaning they cannot provide financial information about their parents.
- Answer the following two questions that seek clarification about who made the determination.
- From there, a FAFSA representative reviews the application. They will contact you for proof of determination via a copy of the report.
- If you haven’t been deemed homeless but feel your situation merits additional considerations, contact the department of financial aid at the institution you plan to attend and explain your circumstances.
Can Students Pay for their Housing through Student Loans?
This question is one asked by every other student who applies for federal financial aid. Federal student loans are generally insufficient to cover the entire amount of housing. In order to meet the gap, students have to make other arrangements, which may include applying for private loans, borrowing money from relatives, taking unsubsidized loans, or holding a part-time job.
Students themselves decide as to where to spend the amount of their loan. They distribute the amount between various expenses including textbooks, tuition, transport, etc. Which may not include house rent.
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