I get the full pell grant, and $1000/semester state grant. Taking 12 credit hours I have a refund of about $2500/4 months=$625 month. I really should be taking 15 credits, so it should look more like. $2000/4=$500. And if I want to take 18 credits it's $1500/4=$375. Now finding cheap off campus rent is tough at least for me it has been. I'm paying up to $1900 month in rent at a hotel this semester. I get food stamps, phone has the hotspot plan upwards of $60 month with 15GB. Now I qualify for loans of $2700/ semester so in total I have $5,000/4 months=$1250 month. Now where I am that's not enough to get by. Now add a part time in at $11hr×20 hrs week could be $2000 after tax. For me that's barely getting by. Now some would say you could get by on less. But, in this world it's not about how much money you have is who you know that will stretch the money farthest. I've been at a hotel for four months out of sheer neccisity, it's been impossible to find someone who will take me seriously. I have to pay $2000 month. Can you get by it depends, rent prices may vary In this world. One things for sure the streets are free, and yes it should cover food if by groceries you mean the supermarket, and internet. I'm spending 2k in housing in a cheap area and I'm trying to ease my bitterness. Supply and demand, supply and demand.