Community College Housing Options

If you've got a child heading to community college, college housing may be weighing on your mind. He can certainly live at home while attending school - and many students do. That's certainly part of what makes community college a less expensive higher education option - that and the significantly lower tuition. But an increasing number of community colleges have started offering student housing in campus dorms, in dormitories on nearby campuses, or via other off-campus options. If you're looking for community college housing options, here are a few possibilities.

Dormitories

Not every community college offers campus housing, but a recent study by the American Association of Community Colleges found that 273 out of 1,100 schools had dormitories to house at least some of their students. And a few community colleges have such close relationships with a nearby four-year university, they share housing as well. Eastern Michigan University, for example, offers dorm space to students at Washtenaw Community College. So your first step when looking for student housing is to check what the community college offers - and pay close attention to application deadlines.

Living at Home

There are a lot of pluses to having your 18- or 19-year-old at home. Your food bill may stay high, but you’ll save $6,000-$10,000 a year on room and board bills. You’ll have the company of a bright, interesting student living in your home. And you won’t have to worry about the empty nest blues! But it can be difficult for commuter students to make new friends and settle into college life without a dormitory's sense of instant community and the ice-breaking help of an R.A.. (Click here for tips to help smooth that transition for both of you.)

Apartment Life

Of course, renting an apartment near campus is another option. That can entail more details than you expect - you may find you need a First Apartment 101 primer. There are significant start-up rental expenses, and furnishing and outfitting that first apartment can be pricey too. But renting an apartment is a major and important step toward independence.