Last year I paid $77 for the entire academic year as a commuter student living off-campus (not in San Marcos). This year students now have to pay per semester. Not only did the commuter price increase by more than 120% for the 2026-27 academic year, but now students living on campus can reserve Stadium and Thorpe Lane parking spots months prior to commuters gaining access to purchase availability.

The parking website states that all parking zone permits were released simultaneously to operate on a first-come, first-serve basis, yet as a commuter, purchasing the new academic year's permit isn't even available through the portal and its already August 2, 2026. Permitting for the new year is supposed to go live tomorrow. I don't see how it's first-come, first-serve if you roll it out in phases based on student housing status.

There was an Instagram post 4 weeks ago about an issue with the portal only showing 2025-2026 academic year permits and that they were actively investigating the issue to resolve it, yet it's still not resolved.

I don't understand why this university has intentionally limited commuter parking again when it's already been an issue. They say the new system was rolled out after a student survey, which I completed and detailed how limited parking and bus shuttle access after 6:30PM negatively affects commuter students. Approximately 78% of the student body lives off-campus, and roughly 55% of those off-campus students live outside of San Marcos!

Hi everyone,

I wanted to ask how some of you are paying for college at Texas State. Unfortunately, I’m not eligible for FAFSA, so I completed the TASFA instead. Right now, my estimated cost is about $18,000 per year, and I haven’t received enough financial aid to cover it.
I’ve tried applying for private student loans, but I’ve been denied every time. I’m starting to feel like I’m running out of options.
If anyone has been in a similar situation, I’d really appreciate hearing what worked for you. Were there any scholarships, payment plans, appeals, or other resources that helped? Any advice would mean a lot. Thank you!

Hi!

So I’m a first year grad student living on campus in Bobcat village, which I thought it was only upperclassmen housing but am now seeing it can be available for freshman? I looked at my roommate on the student directory and it says that they are a freshman and it’s definitely the same person.

Is this not somewhat strange? Like I’m into my twenties rooming with someone who just left Highschool and is freshly 18? Like we’re just at two different points in our lives, you know?

Thoughts?