Title: Student Housing: Costs and Rights
Author(s) : Graig Arcuri, Gautam Balgi
Higher education represents a significant investment for students, their families, and governments. As the overall cost of attending a college in person continues to rise, a substantial portion of this expense is attributed to student housing. In fact, research indicates that housing can often constitute the largest single cost component of a college education, sometimes exceeding the expense of tuition and fees at four-year public institutions. This financial reality underscores the critical importance of carefully evaluating the various housing options available to students. Among these options, the choice between living in on-campus university-provided housing and securing off-campus accommodations stands out as a pivotal decision with considerable financial implications when this choice is allowed by the respective university. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive comparison of the costs associated with both on-campus and off-campus student housing, with a particular emphasis on the landscape at the State University of New York at Oswego. By analyzing the typical costs, the factors that contribute to these expenses, and the financial aid opportunities available, this research seeks to offer a detailed understanding to inform students and stakeholders in their housing decisions and to assess the principles of requiring first and second year students to live on campus.