Affordable Housing Choices

2024-25 FAFSA Now Available!

Complete the FAFSA form by Wichita State's May 1, 2024 extended priority date to be considered for additional financial aid for the 2024-25 school year!

FAFSA form changes Complete the FAFSA form

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.
- Visit wichita.edu/understandingyouraid for help understanding your financial aid offer.
- 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?
- Additional options beyond your financial aid offer can be found at wichita.edu/additionalfundingoptions.
- 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 wichita.edu/handshake.

Handshake

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.

Student Experiences

6. Borrow only what you need

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.

Student Loans

Learn to Budget with CashCourse

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.

How to set up your account

Visit cashcourse.org
Go to Students and click “register for a free account.”
To find courses, go to the Financial Tools tab and click Coursework.

CashCourse

Here are the top 3 courses we recommend all students try out

Budget Basics

Learn how you can track your spending and income without subscribing or paying for a service.

Funding Sources

Learn what financial terms like work-study, subsidized loans, and expected family contribution mean.

Prepare for Emergencies

Emergencies happen in college! Learn how to build up funds for when a financial emergency comes up.