Skip to main content

Resident Assistant (RA) Financial Aid

Resident Assistants (RAs) are compensated for their work with payments and discounted housing and meals.

Read more below about how RAs are paid and how this may impact their billing and financial aid.

Stipends

Stipends are taxable income. The total amount of the stipend is paid in installments over ten months (September to June), and stipends are distributed to students via direct deposit. The stipends include:
  • $9,500 room stipend. Students are expected to use the monthly installment to pay their monthly housing charge.
  • Additional stipends (the amount of the stipend depends on the RA's tenure):
    • Senior Resident Assistants receive $3,000 paid monthly over ten months ($300/month)
    • Resident Assistants receive $1,500 paid monthly over ten months ($150/month)

Housing Charges

Resident Assistants are charged for housing on their student bill at a discounted rate of $9,500 for the year, split up into installments. Room charges will be posted monthly, and the room stipend installment will be deposited to the student before the room charge is due. RAs will submit monthly payments on their student bill on CAESAR for their housing charges.

Meal Plan

Resident Assistants receive the open-access meal plan free of charge. This will not appear on the student account, and RAs are not responsible for submitting payments for this.

Financial Aid Considerations

  • Financial aid awards are based on estimated expenses, which includes housing and meals.
  • RAs will be charged for housing on their student account. Financial aid posted to the account may apply toward this expense. In addition, RAs will earn their room stipend, which is delivered to the student via direct deposit. These funds are considered taxable income and may be used to cover the housing charge.
  • RAs will receive a meal plan free of charge. Accordingly, the financial aid budget and award eligibility will not include a meal component.
  • Becoming an RA may result in a reduction to your overall aid award when compared to your initial aid award because RAs have a lower housing and meals budget than the standard student living on campus. However, with the discount on housing and the free meal plan, many students on financial aid still find it beneficial to become an RA. If you have questions about how becoming an RA can impact your financial aid, please submit an estimated biling request form.