Costs and Money Management

OSCA 2011-12 Savings on Dining & Housing

	OSCA	College	Savings
Dining	$2,880	$5,930	$3,050
Single room	$5,280	$6,350	$1,070
Double room	$4,308	$6,000	$1,692

In 2011-2012, to dine in a co-op costs $2,880 a year ($3,050 less than campus dining service). Living in a co-op double and dining in a co-op costs $7,188 ($4,742 less than living in a campus dorm and dining in campus dining service), and living in a co-op single and dining in a co-op costs $8,160 for the year ($4,120 less). The labor that members put into their co-op results in the savings. Co-opers work an average of 4 to 5 hours a week. Job hours are flexible, fun, and a good way to meet people. The type of work co-opers do ranges from cooking or baking bread to being a representative to the board of directors or keeping track of co-op finances. Most larger co-ops have "Time Aid" programs that allows members who also have jobs outside the co-op to reduce their hours to sometimes as little as 1 or 2 hours a week. Members are also invited to apply for an OSCA scholarship, which covers 1/3 of a member's semesterly board bill. (Application forms can be found outside the OSCA office.)