Student Housing 101: How to Afford and Furnish Your First Apartment

Moving into your first apartment as a college student is a major milestone, but it also comes with plenty of questions. Where do you even start looking for a place? How do you qualify for an apartment lease if you’ve never rented before? And what about the cost of furnishing your new space from scratch?

Whether you’re ready to ditch the dorms or are starting your college journey off-campus, this guide is here to help you figure out how to find housing as a college student, how to afford housing in college, and how to furnish your new apartment—without blowing your budget or maxing out a credit card.

Step 1: Finding the Right Off-Campus Housing

Let’s start with what’s often the first biggest challenge: learning how to get an apartment as a college student. Most college students aren’t just looking for a roof over their heads—they’re looking for a safe, affordable space that fits their schedule, study habits, and social life. Here are some tips on how to narrow down the search.

Start with Your School

One of the most overlooked resources for finding affordable apartments for students? Your college. Most universities maintain a list of recommended off-campus housing. These listings are typically vetted for safety and affordability and often cater to student schedules (think short-term leases, furnished units, or inclusive utilities).

Check your student portal or contact your campus housing office for leads on affordable housing for college students. Some even partner with nearby apartment complexes that offer discounts or reduced deposits for enrolled students.

Use Student-Centered Platforms

While big-name rental apps can be helpful, they’re not always built with student budgets in mind. Try looking for community message boards, local student housing groups on social media, or trusted word-of-mouth referrals from upperclassmen. Some students even find great deals by asking professors, RA contacts, or student advisors for tips.

Understand Apartment/Housing Lease Requirements

Aside from hidden apartment fees (we’ll get to that later), many landlords require proof of income, credit checks, or rental history—things most students don’t have. But don’t panic. You may just need a:

• Co-signer (usually a parent or guardian)
• Larger deposit (though this varies)
• Student status verification (some places offer student-only housing)

And remember: roommates can save your budget. Splitting rent and utilities can cut your living expenses in half or more—plus, you might make a lifelong friend along the way.

Step 2: Budgeting for College Housing

Once you’ve found a potential place, you’ll need a plan for how to pay for off-campus housing. It’s not just rent—you’ll also need to consider utilities, groceries, laundry, internet, and more. Here’s how to set a realistic budget and stick to it.

Know What Aid You Can Use

Can student loans pay for an apartment? The answer is yes, in many cases. If your loan or grant refund exceeds your tuition and fees, those remaining funds can often be used to help cover rent and living expenses.

If you’re using financial aid or scholarships, find out if any of it can be applied toward off-campus housing. Talk to your school’s financial aid office early on to understand what’s allowed, what documentation you might need, and how the disbursement process works for you.

Plan for Hidden Apartment Costs

When you’re budgeting for your first off-campus apartment, it’s easy to focus just on rent, but there are often additional move-in costs that can catch students off guard. Before signing a lease, make sure you ask your new landlord for a full breakdown of what’s due up front and what’s required each month.

Here are some common fees to keep in mind:

• Application Fees: Many landlords charge a fee to process your application or run a background check. This is usually due before you’re even approved.
• Security Deposits: Typically required before move-in, a security deposit helps cover any damage to the unit. It’s usually refundable if the apartment is left in good condition.
• Administrative or Move-In Fees: Some complexes add extra fees for paperwork, keys, or preparing the unit before you arrive.
• Pet Fees: If you’re bringing a pet, you may face additional charges—either a one-time fee, a deposit, or ongoing pet rent.
• Renter’s Insurance: More and more landlords require proof of renter’s insurance before handing over the keys. While it’s usually affordable, it’s one more monthly cost to factor into your plan.

Taking these costs into account early on can help you avoid surprises and ensure you’re financially ready when it’s time to sign that lease.

Use Budgeting Tools That Work for You

Once you have a sense of your housing expenses, it’s time to build a budget that keeps you on track. Start by listing out your fixed costs like rent, utilities, and transportation. Then estimate your flexible spending—things like food, school supplies, and occasional takeout or entertainment.

Look for simple digital tools or spreadsheets that help you stay organized and track what you spend each week. You don’t need anything fancy—just something that helps you see where your money is going, so you can adjust as needed.

And remember: building a budget isn’t about restricting every dollar. It’s about helping you make smart choices, reduce stress, and leave room for the fun stuff, too.

Get Creative with Part-Time Income

Many students cover rent by working a few shifts a week on or off campus. Gig work, like tutoring or rideshare driving, may be flexible enough to work around your classes.

Split and Save

If you’re living with roommates, get clear about what you’ll share and what each person pays.

Pro-tip: create a shared expense doc or use apps like Splitwise to avoid awkward money convos later.

And if you’re still feeling squeezed, explore campus jobs, work-study programs, or part-time gigs like tutoring, food delivery, or pet sitting. Every little bit helps.

Step 3: Furnishing Your First Apartment on a Student Budget

So, you’ve signed the apartment/housing lease. Congrats! Now comes the fun—and potentially most exciting—part: filling your new space with the furniture and appliances you need to live comfortably. But don’t worry, there are several smart ways to furnish a student apartment on a budget, depending on your situation.

Before you head to the store or start scrolling online, consider these tips for finding furniture for college students’ apartments:

• Look for furnished apartments. Some student-friendly rentals come partially or fully furnished, especially those listed through your school’s off-campus housing program. These can save you the stress (and expense) of buying or moving large furniture pieces.
• Buy secondhand. Check Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp, Craigslist, or local thrift stores for used furniture. Just make sure to inspect items carefully, avoid anything with visible damage or odor, and take safety precautions when meeting sellers.
• Borrow or accept hand-me-downs. If friends or family have extra furniture they’re not using, take them up on it! You can always upgrade later when your budget allows.

Of course, all of these options come with trade-offs: limited selection, upfront cash, potential for low quality, or the hassle of moving heavy items yourself.

Why Rent-to-Own is a Great Option for Furnishing Your College Apartment

If you want more flexibility—or don’t have time to hunt down bedroom furniture or appliances like washers and dryers before move-in day—Rent-A-Center offers another path.

Rent-to-own lets you furnish your space with brand-name essentials without having to pay everything up front. Instead, you make small rental payments over time and get to enjoy your stuff from day one.

Some of the reasons students choose Rent-A-Center:

• Flexible rental payments: Choose weekly, biweekly, or monthly plans that align with your income and expenses.
• Free delivery and setup: No need to rent a truck or drag a sofa up the stairs.
• Built-in repairs: If something breaks during normal use, we’ll fix it at no cost.
• Own your own way. Want to keep your furniture? You can. Don’t need it anymore? Return it. Need something different? Swap it out through the RAC Exchange program¹ within your first 6 months—without losing what you’ve already paid.

So, whether you’re furnishing your place with hand-me-downs and thrift finds or going all-in with a rent-to-own living room setup, the important thing is to choose what works best for you. Rent-A-Center is here when you need flexibility, affordability, and convenience—all without using credit (Not a credit transaction. Approval will require review of consumer reports).

Bonus Tip: Share and Save

Want to save even more? Tell your friends. With the Rent-A-Center’s Refer-A-Friend program, you’ll both earn $30 in RAC Rewards when your friend starts a new agreement and makes their first payment. That’s a win-win—and maybe a rental payment holiday for you.

Your Apartment, Your Rules: Rent-A-Center Is Your Way to Own It

Starting college is a new chapter, and with the right tools, you can turn your first apartment into a place that feels like home. Focus on finding housing that fits your needs, be smart with your money, and know that Rent-A-Center has your back when it comes to affordable furniture for students’ apartments.

Ready to own your own way? Visit Rent-A-Center online, or head to your local store to explore rent-to-own furniture, appliances, and electronics built for student life.

 

¹“RAC Exchange” program valid for agreements entered at select locations, is available to new and existing customers and applies to inventory obtainable by store location. Cash price of the item selected for exchange may not exceed approval amount, which is subject to validation and adjustment prior to exchange and may vary from original approval amount. Exchange requires execution of rental agreement for item selected for exchange, which must be completed within six (6) months following the first active rental date of item being returned for exchange. Agreement for item being returned for exchange must be in good standing (with all rental payments current) at the time of exchange and product must be in good condition. Rent paid for prior agreement will be applied to reduce the total cost to own for the replacement agreement but rent paid may not be applied in full to Same As Cash amount for replacement agreement. Any applicable Same As Cash period will apply to new agreement based on product selection and agreement term. The amount of rent paid from prior agreement eligible for application to Same As Cash amount for replacement agreement may vary from 40% to 66%, depending on your state of residence. Exchanges under program may not be combined with other discounts, offers or promotions. Participating locations only. Eligible items only. All items subject to availability and approval. See Store Manager for complete details.