Last Updated on January 30, 2024 by Lori Pace
College tuition isn’t the only expense. Even with the efforts to make college housing affordable, student budgets are still subject to room and board taxes. Dorm life is relatively cheap when compared to renting an apartment. For college students, however, it is an expense they don’t have as much when they live back home with their parents. Off-campus housing may be a good option for some schools. Yet, utilities, parking, and other expenses can quickly add up. So, here are some college housing scholarships and financial helps that single moms can consider to help themselves in their academic lives, or for their children.
Housing Scholarships And Financial Aid Are There to Help
Students can seek financial aid that includes grants, loans, and scholarships to help them manage their college and housing expenses. A majority of student aid can cover a variety of college expenses, including tuition and living costs.
Like scholarships, housing grants don’t require repayment. This makes them great for students in need. Because most college grants don’t have restrictions, you can use them for tuition and housing. The majority of grants you receive go through your school’s financial aid department, so you can apply the money automatically to your on-campus housing bill.
For most college grants, you should look to both federal and state education agencies as well as individual schools. You should submit your FAFSA student assistance request on time. For campus-specific housing grants, consult your financial aid advisors.
Federal Grants and Scholarships Pay for College Housing
The U.S. The largest grant provider for college students is the U.S. Department of Education. You must file a FAFSA to provide colleges with an overview of your financial situation during school.
Before preparing a letter explaining the types and amounts of financial aid that you are eligible for, universities consider your needs. You can use federal grants to pay tuition, room and board, and other living expenses.
Pell Grant Program
They provide the most generous grant resources to students in need. Pell Grants are available to financially-disadvantaged students for assistance with tuition and housing costs.
Eligibility Requirements
- Students with a need greater than the Expected Family Contribution, (EFC),
- Full-time student status
- Cost of attendance at your school
- Enrollment for the full school year
Pell Grant maximums can vary depending on the available funding. However, today’s students can receive up to $5,500 annually.
Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants
Grants from the government are awarded to students who are in extreme financial hardship. FSEOG funds are first awarded to students with an EFC of zero as determined by FAFSA data. The remaining funds are then distributed to the next most in need until program funding runs out.
FSEOG and Pell are the largest general grant programs administered under the Department of Education. However, they are not the only source of federal grant money available to college students.
ACG Academic Competitiveness Grants
Available to first- and second-year college students who have maintained rigorous academic course loads in high school and college. These grants are available to high-achieving students who meet the requirements for Pell and FSEOG.
SMART grants (Science and Math Access To Retain Talent)
Third and fourth-year students in engineering, science, and math can earn up to $1300 per year towards tuition and living expenses.
Teacher Education Aid for College and Higher Education
Grants are intended to assist students in teaching programs. Education majors can earn up to $4000 per year by agreeing to a 4-year commitment after graduation. This money can be used to pay college expenses. These grant recipients are required to teach in schools serving low-income students upon graduation.
Military Service
For soldiers, military service can earn them college grants. Montgomery G.I. The Montgomery G.I. Bill is the oldest federal education assistance program. This grant is available to qualified veterans and covers tuition, housing, books, and other college expenses.
State Housing Grants And Scholarships Sources
College students can also be eligible for housing assistance from the state governments and individual schools, in addition to federally funded grant programs. General grants and aid specifically designated for room and board are used to fund college housing.
CalGrants
California Student Aid Commission administers this which is one of the most generous state aid programs available for college students. For CalGrant priority consideration, you must file your FAFSA if you are a senior in high school.
Grant Program Manual
Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Association outlines the state’s criteria for determining student aid. Your college needs calculations including room and board. The final grant award will also include specific living allowances based on your personal circumstances.
Massachusetts State College Building Authority
Massachusetts Community College students are eligible to receive a variety of state-funded scholastic grants. They offer housing grants to help students in need. The funds cannot be used for housing on campus and are not available in all cases.
Institutional Housing Grants And Scholarships Sources
FAFSA and state student aid applications cover many financial aid options. However, your school may have its own housing grant programs. For the most current information on grant opportunities at your college, consult your campus housing authority or financial aid office.
Most students need a mix of financial aid to pay for college. You can apply for general grants and other student aid for tuition and other college expenses. Housing grants are intended to help students with financial need pay for their room and board. For help with paying the bills, consider federal, state, and institutional grants as you build your college financing package.
City College of New York Provides Housing Scholarships
Housing grants are available through the scholarship department at the. Students must submit an online application for scholarship consideration.
Youngstown State University
Housing grants are available to students who live in student housing or courtyard apartments. Full-time students who are not in financial hardship must apply to be eligible. Annual housing costs can be covered by need-based grants of up to $2000. Priority is given to applicants whose families live more than 30 minutes from the university campus. In addition to the housing grant request, a FAFSA application must also be submitted.
Oakland University Provides Housing Scholarships
Offers up to $4000 in grants for students who need assistance with housing costs. Students must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA to be eligible for need-based grants. Students must submit FAFSA and an ACT score not less than 21 to be eligible. The award is available to the recipient for each year of college.
Florida Gulf Coast University
Students are eligible for housing grants based on available funding. Priority consideration is given to students who submit their FAFSA prior to March 1st. This will allow them to be considered for an annual award of $1200 each.
LIM College Provides Housing Scholarships
Students enrolled at LIM College in New York City are eligible to receive $1500 per year in housing grants, or scholarships if they live in the Third Avenue Residence Hall.
Davidson College
This Institute in Charlotte, North Carolina, offers limited housing grants for students who stay on campus during the summer. These housing scholarships are available to students who have completed courses or summer assistantships.
Chadbourne Residential College Provides Housing Scholarships
A residence community on the University of Wisconsin Madison campus. It offers modest grants to eligible student residents. All applicants must demonstrate financial need through their FAFSA data, and fill out a grant request form.
