How to Use Student Loans for Living Expenses
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Student loans are intended to pay for college, but education costs include more than tuition. You can also use student loans for living expenses.
You’re limited to borrowing the school’s cost of attendance — that’s tuition and fees, books and supplies, room and board, transportation, and personal expenses —minus any aid you receive.
Each college determines the cost of attendance, which covers expenses for one academic year and is adjusted yearly. Schools calculate numbers for on-campus, off-campus and commuter students, as well as for in-state and out-of-state tuition.
Both federal and private loans are disbursed directly to your school, which takes out tuition, fees and room and board if you live on campus. Any remaining funds from the loan will be distributed to you, according to your school’s policy. You may then return any funds you don’t need or use the money for living expenses, transportation, and books and supplies.
The following examples are compiled from guidance set by the Federal Student Aid office and private student loan lenders.
What can student loans be used for?
Tuition and fees
On-campus room and board
Off-campus housing and utilities
Transportation, including gas, tolls, buses and trains
Books, supplies and equipment related to your major
Miscellaneous personal supplies, including toiletries and medication
Housing supplies, including linens, a microwave and dishes
Groceries
Care for dependents, as long as you let your school’s financial aid office know this allowance should be factored into your aid package
Fees for professional testing, licensing and certificates
Study abroad program costs
What you shouldn't use your student loans for
Entertainment, such as concert tickets and Netflix subscriptions
Pricey electronics, such as an oversized television or sound system
Travel, vacations or hotel stays
A new car, motorcycle or a bicycle
Nightly takeout or delivery food
A down payment or repairs on a home or car
Small business expenses
Other debt, such as personal loans, auto loans and credit cards
Anyone else’s education costs
What happens if you use loan money for nonessentials?
Generally, no one is tracking how you spend your student loan money. But, you could face consequences if your lender finds out you misused student loan funds. Depending on your lender’s policy, your current loan and any future loan options may be terminated, and you could immediately owe the full balance of what you already used. The bigger deterrent to wasting borrowed money is that you have to pay it back — with interest.
» MORE: How to get a student loan
Alternatives to using loans for living expenses
You can borrow to pay for living expenses, but that doesn’t mean you always should. You may be better off getting a part-time job while in school, tapping your savings or building up some cash by working during school breaks. This way you can pay for living expenses upfront without taking on more debt than you can afford.
