Rates and Payments
Rates
Housing rates vary based on room type and meal plan selection. For sophomore, transfer, upper-division and graduate students, rates also vary by building tier. Refer to the appropriate academic year below for a detailed breakdown. Rates for the upcoming academic year are published during the spring semester.
2026-27
Included Fees
Included in the total housing cost is a $375 non-refundable initial payment, which must be submitted with the license agreement to reserve housing. The $375 initial payment is deducted from the total amount due and is not a deposit.
Included in the first scheduled payment is a non-refundable activity fee and service fee for the academic year. The activity fee of $165 allows the Residence Hall Association (RHA) and Hall/Community Councils to provide educational and social programs and incentives to residents as well as access to recreational equipment. The service fee of $40 covers administrative and processing costs for housing and meal plan payments.
Meal plans include an administrative fee that offsets non-food operational expenses such as software, equipment and other overhead. The meal plan administrative fee is $399 for the 2nd Year Basic, $599 for the 2nd Year Standard, and $649 for the Flex 5, Flex 7 and Meals Plus plans. This fee is included in the total price per academic year.
Payments
Unlike a typical monthly rent agreement, San Diego State University housing payments are collected in installments. These installments are all-inclusive and cover furniture, utilities (electricity included up to a monthly per-resident cap), amenities, selected meal plan, and residential education programming and support services.
Payment Schedule
Housing bills are issued electronically via my.SDSU. Students with a 9-month license agreement pay in eight installments, which are scheduled for August through November, then January through April. Students with an 11.5-month license agreement pay in ten installments, which are scheduled for August through November, then January through June.
- August 20 - 1st installment due
- September 20 - 2nd installment due
- October 20 - 3rd installment due
- November 20 - 4th installment due
- January 20 - 5th installment due
- February 20 - 6th installment due
- March 20 - 7th installment due
- April 20 - 8th installment due
- *May 20 - 9th installment due for 11.5-month license agreements only
- *June 20 - 10th installment due for 11.5-month license agreements only
*Note that there is no payment due in December for either license agreement.
Supplemental Charges
Beyond the standard installments, students may incur supplemental charges based on specific actions or damages to university property.
- Miscellaneous Fees: Fees for miscellaneous items, including lockouts, bed height adjustments, utility cap overages and improper checkouts. See all fees on the 2026-27 Miscellaneous Fees (PDF) document.
- Damage Charges: Fees associated with the repair or replacement of university property beyond standard wear and tear. See all fees on the 2026-27 Damage Charges (PDF) document.
Financial Resources
If a student is experiencing financial challenges, we are here to support them and connect them to campus resources. Contact us and ask to speak to our Student Account Coordinator if you need assistance determining which resources may be right for you.
- Make smaller payments toward the bill. You may make smaller payments toward your balance to reduce the burden of one large payment. For example, you could pay $500 each week rather than $2,000 all at once. SDSU is here to support you, and work with you. Your success is our priority, and we will work with you on a payment plan to help ensure you can continue your education.
- Review financial aid. Log in to my.SDSU to confirm whether all of your financial aid or scholarships have been awarded and whether additional information or action is needed. Grants and scholarships are automatically applied to your account. Any remaining financial aid after tuition and fees are paid will be credited toward your housing balance. For questions, visit the Student Financial Center virtual desk on Zoom.
- Explore loan options. If you have been offered a student loan, you may be able to accept it through my.SDSU under “Financial Aid and Scholarship Eligibility.” A parent may also apply for a parent loan through studentaid.gov, subject to credit approval.
- Apply for scholarships. Visit Aztec Scholarships to search and apply for scholarships that may help with university expenses. The application is straightforward, and the system will automatically match you to all scholarships for which you are eligible.
- Request assistance from the Economic Crisis Response Team. SDSU’s Economic Crisis Response Team can connect you with on- and off-campus resources for immediate food, housing or financial needs. To request assistance, email [email protected].
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Review contract release options. If you are experiencing circumstances that may qualify you for a contract release, you may submit a Contract Release Request. More information is available on the License Agreement page.
FAQ
Log into my.SDSU to see if financial aid and scholarships have been awarded or if additional information is needed. If funding has been awarded, there may be additional action needed depending on the type of aid. Grants and scholarships are automatically applied to your account. You will need to activate student and parent loans. You may have been selected for verification and may be required to turn in additional information.
Check my.SDSU to ensure you have provided the requested information. Once you have submitted all required verification information, there is typically a 4–6 week processing period to determine your award.
The Office of Housing Administration will begin outreach efforts to students with a past-due housing balance. If your outstanding balance is not paid in full, the following may apply:
- A $50 late fee may be charged to your account.
- A Cashier’s Hold may be added to your account, which will prevent you from completing registration and other registrar-related activities.
- A 3 Day Notice to Pay-or-Quit Letter may be served for unpaid housing rent balances only. This does not apply to unpaid meal plan balances, and may initiate the eviction process under the terms of your housing license agreement.
Arrange for payments to be made whether out-of-pocket or addressing any FAFSA requests from the Cal Coast Student Financial Center via my.SDSU. If you have third-party funding, provide the University Bursar’s Office with any confirmation of this. If you have questions on the cashier’s hold, contact the Cal Coast Student Financial Center virtual desk on Zoom.
Installments are predetermined payments spread evenly over a set number of months (8 months for 9-month license agreement, 10 months for 11.5-month license agreement), regardless of when the student moves in or out.
View different payment options on the University Bursar's Office website.
