Room and Board Expenses: What Every College Student Should Know

For college students studying in person, living on campus is both efficient and exciting. But remember that dorm living is a cost you'll need to budget for. Read on for a guide to understanding room and board expenses.

What is room and board?

The term “room and board” refers to how much a student pays for housing and meals in college. Like tuition, these costs vary from college to college. Room and board are typically listed separately from tuition and other expenses.

What does room and board cover?

When you hear the term room and board, think of room as your residence hall or housing, including your bed, desk, heat, utilities, and Wi-Fi, and board as your meal plan, which can vary from school to school.

Room and board is a direct cost, but it's not the only one

Direct costs are expenses paid directly to the college and include tuition, fees, housing, and meal plan. Room and board falls into this category. Indirect costs are expenses associated with being a student that are not paid directly to the college—things like books and supplies, travel, and personal expenses. Though this list doesn't include all indirect costs, it should help you start thinking about some of the everyday expenses you'll need to consider as you prepare your college budget. Learn more about indirect college costs on BigFuture.

On average, private schools tend to be more expensive than public schools

This varies from college to college, but you should be able to see prices on the College Costs profile page or the individual school's finance page.

How financial aid can help cover room and board

Financial aid is money given or lent to you to help you pay for college. Many full-time college students receive some form of financial aid. That aid isn't limited to tuition—it can apply to room and board too. Some of the most common ways to pay for these costs are financial aid, scholarships, part-time jobs, and savings. Make sure to submit the FAFSA® every year, and check whether your school also requires the CSS Profile® for institutional aid. The number you actually need to know is the estimated net price for you—use the Net Price Calculator on BigFuture to estimate your net price at hundreds of colleges.

Many scholarships can be used to cover room and board

Room and board are an education-related expense, and many scholarships allow funds to be used toward it. Make sure to read through your full scholarship award for any instructions on how the money can be spent.

Most schools provide free or discounted housing to resident advisors (RAs)

This might be a good option for anyone looking for cost savings. Before signing up for the role, make sure to read through the RA responsibilities for the school.

Be mindful about using student loans on room and board

Remember that you have to pay back your loans. The more housing and food expenses you incur, the more you'll need to pay back, plus interest.

What if you're having trouble covering room and board?

If you're having trouble covering your college expenses, you're not alone. Contact your financial aid office about ways to reduce your expenses or opportunities for more aid, whether in the form of a scholarship, grant, work-study, or loan. Many college campuses also have resource centers available to help students cover common expenses, which may include a food pantry, affordable clothing, transportation assistance, and other supports.

Concerned about paying for college? You're not alone. Learn the basics of paying for college on BigFuture.