Choosing the Right Room Plan for Your College Budget
We know it can be tempting to choose a private room and the meal plan with the most
dining dollars. After all, who doesn't enjoy your own room and all the retail dining
options? But, the costs of those choices can add up quick. We've included a few tips
below to help you be mindful of your costs and your financial aid while choosing your
housing and meal options.
Choosing Your Room and Meal Plan with a Budget in Mind
How much financial aid do you qualify for?
Before looking at your housing options, it is best to consider what you can afford
and how much financial aid (scholarships, grants, and loans) is available to help
with your costs.
If you applied for financial aid using the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student
Aid), review your financial aid offer on your Financial Aid Dashboard. Use your myWSU ID and password to log in.
Remember, financial aid first applies toward your tuition and fees costs. Any remaining
financial aid will then pay toward other costs, such as housing and food (room and
meals).
Federal financial aid will likely not fully cover your costs. The average housing
and food costs estimate for the 2023-2024 academic year is $13,790 (for both fall
and spring semesters).
How much will your room and meal plan cost for the year?
For specific room and meal plan rates, visit the Housing & Residence Life website
at wichita.edu/housingrates. Be sure to add your totals for both the fall and spring semesters.
Rooms: Room costs can vary by both the residence hall and your room choice. Single/private
rooms cost more than double/triple rooms.
Meal Plans: Most meal plans allow for unlimited access to the dining hall, but the
amount of dining dollars for use at the various campus retail dining venues may vary.
Payment: Housing and meal costs automatically are split into four payments each semester.
Fall payment deadlines: August 15, September 15, October 15, November 15
Spring payment deadlines: January 15, February 15, March 15, April 15
What other options do you have to pay for your costs?
To discuss additional payment options, schedule an appointment with a financial aid
advisor at wichita.edu/finaidappt.
6 Tips for Staying Within Your Budget
1. Begin saving now for your room and meal costs
Use your summer job to save up for the costs of your room and meals. Set money aside
each paycheck to cover your costs. Review the residence halls costs and divide them
by 8 payments to determine your monthly payments and how much you'll need to save.
2. Select a double or triple room option
Choosing the option for a roommate reduces your overall room costs and gives you additional
life experiences.
3. Use your meal plan during the week and minimize dining out
It is tempting to use your Shocker Dining Dollars for eating out or grabbing a quick
coffee before class, but be sure to maximize your unlimited meal plan first and limit
your use of your dining dollars to special treats and rewards after a long week of
classes.
4. Work part-time on campus
A part-time job on campus can supplement your income which you can save and then use
to pay toward your next room and meal bill. Apply for jobs at jobs.wichita.edu.
5. Consider living at home your first year (psst... you can still be involved in campus
life!)
Living on campus in the residence halls can be an exciting and convenient experience,
but it comes at a cost. But, if you are from the surrouding Wichita area, living at
home your first year can help reduce your costs, and you can still be involved in
plenty of campus life activities.
Consider your costs carefully when you are borrowing student or family loans. After
all, loans have to be paid back eventually. Borrow only what you need to meet your
costs.
CashCourse is a FREE online resource for Wichita State students on all things money.
CashCourse has self-paced courses, budget calculators, advice articles, and a financial
term glossary to help you navigate your money as you move through college.
