College is an expensive investment, and the cost of tuition, books, and other fees can quickly add up. In addition to these expenses, many college students also have to pay for room and board, which can be a significant financial burden. Most college scholarships are generally aimed at covering the costs of tuition and required fees, with the burden of paying for housing left to the student to figure out on their own. Fortunately, there are scholarships available that can help offset the cost of college housing.
In this BrokeScholar article, we'll examine college scholarships primarily for college housing and provide some tips on how to find and apply for these scholarships. Read on to find out the details about college housing costs and which scholarships can help you pay for them.
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Why Are Scholarships for College Housing Important?
Scholarships for college housing are designed to help students cover the cost of living on campus or in off-campus housing. These scholarships are important because the cost of housing can be a significant expense for many college students. According to CollegeBoard, the average cost of room and board at a four-year public university for the 2021-2022 academic year was $11,620, while the average cost at a four-year private university was $13,120.
Indeed, analyzing data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the average cost of room and board at both public and private colleges (not-for-profit) has increased markedly over the last 10 years. And since we’re using constant 2021-2022 dollars, inflation is accounted for, so the increase is not due to that. Take a look below:
Cost of Room and Board and Change Over the Last 10 Years (Adjusted to Inflation) |
||||
|
Academic Year |
Dormitory rooms - 4-Year Public |
Board - 4-Year Public |
Dormitory rooms - 4-Year Private Not-For-Profit |
Board - 4-Year Private Not-For-Profit |
|
2010-2011 |
$6,235 |
$5,010 |
$6,981 |
$5,684 |
|
2021-2022 |
$6,944 |
$5,338 |
$7,843 |
$6,090 |
|
10-Year Change (%) |
11.4% |
6.5% |
12.3% |
7.1% |
With both four-year public colleges and private not-for-profit colleges experiencing an increase of around 12% over the last decade, the cost of just college housing has risen by one-fifth. For many students, the cost of housing can be a major financial barrier to attending college. Scholarships for college housing can help to reduce this financial burden and make college more accessible to students from all backgrounds, be it ethnic, financial, or gender.
Types of Scholarships for College Housing
There are several types of scholarships available that can help students cover the cost of college housing. Here are a few examples:
Need-Based Scholarships
Need-based scholarships are awarded to students who have demonstrated financial need. These scholarships are typically awarded based on a student's income, assets, and other financial factors. Need-based scholarships for college housing may cover all or a portion of the cost of room and board. To be eligible for and win need-based scholarships, completing and submitting the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is essential.
Merit-Based Scholarships
Merit-based scholarships are awarded to students who have demonstrated academic excellence, leadership skills, or other achievements. These scholarships are typically awarded based on a student's GPA, SAT or ACT test scores, extracurricular activities, or other achievements. Merit-based scholarships for college housing may cover all or a portion of the cost of room and board.
While there are plenty of colleges and universities that award merit-based, here are some examples of colleges and universities that are known for awarding significant amounts of merit-based scholarships:
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Duke University: Duke is known for its generous merit-based scholarships, including the Robertson Scholars Leadership Program, which provides full tuition, room, and board, as well as summer enrichment opportunities and international experiences, to selected undergraduate students.
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Emory University: Emory offers a range of merit-based scholarships to incoming freshmen, including the Emory Scholars Program, which provides full or partial tuition, room, and board, as well as a stipend for study abroad or research.
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University of Notre Dame: Notre Dame offers a number of merit-based scholarships to incoming freshmen, including the prestigious Stamps Scholars Program, which provides full tuition, room, and board, as well as enrichment funds for research and internships.
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University of Richmond: Richmond is known for its generous merit-based scholarships, including the Richmond Scholars Program, which provides full tuition, room, and board, as well as a book allowance and summer enrichment opportunities, to selected incoming freshmen.
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University of Southern California: USC offers a number of merit-based scholarships to incoming freshmen, including the Trustee Scholarship, which provides full tuition, room, and board, as well as a stipend for research or study abroad, to selected students.
Major-Specific Scholarships
Some colleges and universities offer scholarships for students who are pursuing certain majors. These scholarships may be awarded based on academic achievement or financial need and may cover all or a portion of the cost of room and board. BrokeScholar has a vast library of major-specific scholarships that you can check out and apply to.
Diversity Scholarships
Diversity scholarships are awarded to students from underrepresented groups, such as racial or ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ students, or first-generation college students. These scholarships may be awarded based on academic achievement, financial need, or other factors. Diversity scholarships for college housing may cover all or a portion of the cost of room and board.
Local Scholarships
Many community organizations, businesses, and civic groups offer scholarships for college housing to students in their local area. These scholarships may be awarded based on academic achievement, financial need, or other factors. Local scholarships for college housing may cover all or a portion of the cost of room and board. For example, the state of Georgia offers tons of local college scholarships, sponsored by a variety of state-level institutions, professional organizations and associations, and more.
How to Find and Apply for Scholarships for College Housing
If you're interested in applying for scholarships for college housing, there are several steps that you can take to find and apply for these scholarships. Here are some tips:
Research Scholarships
The first step in finding scholarships for college housing is to research the scholarships that are available. You can start by searching online for scholarships that are specifically designated for college housing. You can also check with your college or university's financial aid office to see if they offer any scholarships for housing. Once again, BrokeScholar is a top destination for conveniently aggregating thousands of college scholarships, so it makes the research step much easier.
Check Eligibility Requirements
Once you've identified scholarships that you're interested in applying for, it's important to carefully review the eligibility requirements. Some scholarships may have specific eligibility requirements, such as GPA, major, or residency, that you'll need to meet in order to apply. Make sure that you're eligible to apply for the scholarship before you invest time and effort in the application process.
Gather Required Materials
Depending on the scholarship, you may need to provide various materials as part of your application. These materials may include transcripts, scholarship application essays, letters of recommendation, or financial aid information. Make sure that you gather all of the required materials ahead of time so that you're ready to submit your application before the deadline.
Submit Your Application
Once you've gathered all of the required materials, it's time to submit your application. Make sure that you follow the instructions carefully and submit your application before the deadline. Late or incomplete applications may not be considered for the scholarship.
Specific College Scholarships for Housing
There are some scholarships that are specifically designated for college housing. These scholarships are designed to help students cover the cost of room and board, which can be a significant expense in addition to tuition and other fees. Below are a few examples of scholarships that are available for college housing:
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American University Housing Scholarship: This scholarship is available to full-time undergraduate students at American University who have demonstrated financial need. The scholarship covers up to $4,000 per year in housing costs.
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University of Maryland College Park Housing Scholarship: This scholarship is available to undergraduate students at the University of Maryland College Park who have demonstrated financial need. The scholarship covers up to $3,000 per year in housing costs.
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The Sheltering Arms Foundation Scholarship: This scholarship is available to undergraduate students in the New York City area who are enrolled in a degree-granting program and have demonstrated financial need. The scholarship covers up to $6,000 per year in housing costs.
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University of Arkansas Housing Scholarship: This scholarship is available to undergraduate students at the University of Arkansas who have demonstrated financial need. The scholarship covers up to $2,500 per year in housing costs.
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The Washington State Opportunity Scholarship: This scholarship is available to undergraduate students in Washington State who are pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, math (STEM), or health care. The scholarship covers up to $1,500 per year in housing costs.
As is common with college scholarships, it's key to note that these scholarships may have specific eligibility requirements and application deadlines. Students should research the scholarships that are available at their school or in their local area, and should carefully review the application requirements and deadlines to ensure that they are eligible to apply.
Tips for Maximizing Your Chances of Receiving a Scholarship
Like most things in life, there's no guarantee that you'll receive a scholarship for college housing. However, there are some steps that you can take to maximize your chances of success. Some essential tips for improving your chances include:
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Apply Early: Many scholarships have early application deadlines, and applying early can help to maximize your chances of success. By submitting your application early, you'll have more time to make corrections or revisions if needed, and you'll also be ahead of other applicants who wait until the last minute to apply.
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Be Thorough: When applying for scholarships, it's important to be thorough and complete all of the required materials. Make sure that you provide all of the information and documentation that's requested and double-check your application for errors or omissions.
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Be Authentic: When writing essays or personal statements as part of your scholarship application, it's important to be authentic and true to yourself. Don't try to write what you think the scholarship committee wants to hear - instead, focus on sharing your own unique experiences and perspective.
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Follow Up: After submitting your scholarship application, it's a good idea to follow up with the scholarship committee to ensure that your application was received and is being considered. This can help to demonstrate your interest in the scholarship and may help to make your application stand out.
The Bottom Line on Scholarships for Housing
Scholarships for college housing can help to lessen the financial burden of attending college and increase access to higher education for students of all backgrounds. As mentioned, there are several types of scholarships available, including need-based scholarships, merit-based scholarships, major-specific scholarships, diversity scholarships, and local scholarships. To find and apply for these scholarships, students should research available scholarships, check eligibility requirements, gather required materials, and submit their applications before the deadline. By following these steps and maximizing their chances of success, students can increase their chances of receiving a scholarship for college housing and achieve their higher education goals.
