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6 reasons why college is expensive

Reason No. 3: Room and board is pricey
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Reason No. 3: Room and board is pricey

According to the College Board, the average cost of room and board at a four-year public institution is $8,535 per year. That's $930 more than the cost of tuition and fees. Students can save on room and board by choosing cheaper dorms and smaller meal plans, says John Gottardy, senior associate director of student financial aid at Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio.

The catch is that off-campus housing usually requires students to pay rent year-round instead of just during the school year. A better option to save on room and board could be through a resident adviser position. While some schools offer RAs a paid salary -- meaning that you must pay taxes on it and it could subtract from your financial aid package -- other institutions offer RAs free room and board.


 

 

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Don't learn the hard way: A co-signed student loan spells trouble when the student reneges.
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