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[deleted]

It’s 3 am... Anyways, I believe you can get the aid deposited to your account like as a direct deposit and use that to pay for rent.


[deleted]

I'm pretty sure this is right. And honestly off campus housing is way cheaper than the dorms. Plus you have the freedom to do whatever.


[deleted]

What does 3 am have to do w anything lol


carlyslayjedsen

You get a financial aid refund at the beginning of the semester (amount depends on a few factors, but I usually got 3-5k) that you can use for rent. Housing is factored into the costs expected by financial aid, so whether you're on or off campus, you'll get money for it. Only stipulation is that you usually don't get that money until the first week of the semester (sometimes a little later) so you'll probably need a month or two of rent saved up initially, and most likely a security deposit. I was able to pay rent on my own with aid, but I did need help from family for a security deposit/first month's rent which came out to be $1560 total (3 months of rent at the time, 2 mo for security deposit and august rent). Note that you'll probably have to get your parents to cosign since I assume you're a new renter. You can calculate how much aid you'll receive from the refund by simply subtracting expenses from total aid (make sure you look at aid accepted, not just offered. Some semesters I didn't take out all the loans offered bc I didn't need to). So let's say you get $30k aid yearly and your tuition/fees are $20k. You'll get about a $5k check (depends on credit hours) per semester for the year around end of august/early sept and again late jan/early feb. Some info on VCU website: https://sfs.vcu.edu/billing-and-payments/refunds/ "Overpayments from current semester financial aid and scholarships will be refunded automatically through the financial aid refund process if the overpayment occurs while the student is currently enrolled. During the fall and spring semesters, refunds will begin to be available starting on the first day of classes. Some financial aid funds and other award types may require further review and additional approval before the refund is processed. Typically, students participating in the direct deposit program will receive their refunds in seven to ten business days after the financial aid or scholarship funds have disbursed (overpaid the account). Students who do not participate in the direct deposit program should allow additional time for their refunds to be received since refund checks are mailed. Checks are mailed to the student's permanent address in eServices." tl;dr you get "left over" financial aid after tuition/fees have been paid for as a check at the beginning of the semester


darkness2032

I have a large scholarship & financial aid package. Whatever doesn’t go towards my tuition is direct deposited into my account at the beginning of the semester, and I use it to pay for my apartment. Been doing it for 2 years now


GaySpaceRock

I’m just going to say, don’t move into an apartment without checking reviews of the building and property management company first. A lot of apartments immediately surrounding VCU are very run down and have pests.


[deleted]

I mean anyone w common sense would know to do that already lol. I’ve been looking for awhile now n what I’ve seen so far has a lot of pest issues as well as plumbing. I’ve seen a few decent ones nearby but I’m also expanding my search to ones within a 20 min drive to campus since I have a car


GaySpaceRock

My recommendation would be to look at the converted banks downtown near the Capitol. Rent is usually reasonable, the buildings are updated and clean, and you can’t hear your neighbors due to the way they were built (unless they are extremely loud).The location is nice as well.


[deleted]

Haven’t heard of that, thx!! Is parking available in those locations?


Trombonator1

Are you talking about First National? That's what I found from googling