Apart from looking for resources to pay for college tuition, non-residential students have another financial burden - the Room and Board Fee. Not only has the tuition fee been climbing but the room and board fee has also been increasing in the recent years.

As the economy still struggles, colleges and universities across the country have attempted to lower the room and board fee for non-residential students and for those who wish to stay in dorms. According to U.S.News, several schools have lowered the fee and charge nearly less than $6,000 when compared to more than $10,000 introduced at other colleges.

In an annual survey of colleges and schools across the country by U.S. News, the Northwestern Oklahoma State University emerged as the lowest room and board fee charging institution for the academic year 2013-2014. Students at the Oklahoma school pay only $3,900 a year.

The average room and board fee at the top 10 schools is $4,673 for the year. Of the 1,098 institutions that submitted data to U.S. News, the average fee for room and board was about $9,672. The New School in New York had the highest room and board fee- $18,490.

Other colleges such as University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) charge a minimum of $8,973 and a maximum of $15,611 for on-campus housing accommodation. The overall tuition and fee at the university for undergrads might come up to anywhere between $38,826 - 52,754.

An upcoming student housing project by Carter USA, a leading property firm, could help students at the University. The student-housing community will be located less than half a mile from the University. Construction on the 198-unit, 590-bed project began September and is slated to be completed in July 2014.

The community will comprise of 121 flats and 77 townhomes with an option of two, three or four-bedroom units. It will also include a resort-style pool, dog park, fitness center, media/game room, and volleyball and basketball courts.

"Carter is excited to be developing a unique student housing project in what we consider to be a growing and strong market," said Conor McNally, chief development officer at Carter in a press release. "UTSA's enrollment has increased by nearly 10 percent since 2006, and this high-quality, amenity-rich project will provide the university with a progressive alternative to traditional student housing developments."

Apart from looking out for such communities, students, who wish to escape the room and board fee, can consider military academies as well. The United States Coast Guard Academy and United States Military Academy do not impose room and board fee. However, the students are required to serve after graduation.

Top 10 American Colleges with Low Room and Board Fee