Leopard Spots, post: 17528482, member: 750893"]So I've officially decided to attend Illinois and I'm trying to figure out housing/financial stuff. Below are a few questions that I would love some input on, if possible!
- Are there any apartment buildings within biking distance to the school (or at least close enough to walk to during the winter)? It's hard for me to imagine paying over $600 just to park at the school plus whatever my apartment building charges me for parking.
There are multiple people that bike/walk and there are apartment buildings close enough. Parkside (all apartments are 2bed/1bath) is within 2 miles and Stone Ridge Square is just over 2 miles (have 1 bed apartments up to 3 bed). There is also Fairlawn Village, that are like individual cottages. All are in Urbana. I thought I was going to bike, but then with the varying schedule of clinical rotations during 1st year, I didn't want to be biking at night and caved to by a parking pass.
- I saw something about a fee for using loans each semester? Is this for real...? lol..?
News to me, but I'm not surprised. I avoid looking at my bill and my current debt amount.
- If you're instate, have you had to take out the Grad PLUS loan? It seems like the Stafford/Health professions loan may be enough for me to get by (I'm trying to see if I can get the total COA to about 43-45k).
I would assume the $40500 should be all they have to take out, unless they have some insane expenses and no savings.
- Are there any additional fees for the 4th year?
You don't have to pay full tuition for the summer between 3rd and 4th, but you do have to pay university fees. So it is something like $3000. Other expenses are for your externships that you should to take, if you want.
- If I want to live by myself, does anyone have a general range for how much I should allot for rent per month?
I would expect something above $600 for sure, at least when I looked a couple of years ago.
- Which apartment complexes are considered a bit more "high end?" I've seen first hand what typical housing is like after living in a large college town, so I'm willing to pay a bit more to live somewhere that isn't disgusting/bug infested/managed horribly.
Parkside is okay, I lived there 1st year. Stone Ridge definitely is a lot better with actually having a balcony and I think a better quality. I don't know anything about The Place and I've heard a few people unhappy about the Village.
- If I were to wait until after I graduate in early May to physically go to U of I to look at apartments, would this be too late to find something decent?
I didn't look at apartments until July and yes things did fill up, but I found a decent place for 1st year. I moved 2nd year because I found something with extra perks for the same price.
- After sending your deposit, when do you typically hear more from U of I (Fb page, etc. - what is typically included in the admissions package?)
Sometime in the summer, probably June
