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Visa question or emergency? ISSS (512) 245-7966 — call us and we'll help you find the right person. You're not on your own here.
Off-campus housing, NSA-curated
Not sure where to start? Ask in the group chat — someone's almost always about to sign or just moved out of somewhere.
Compare before you sign
• Total move-in cost (deposit + first month + fees)
• Lease length — 6, 9, or 12 months?
• Is it a shuttle stop, or a real walk to campus?
• Utilities included, or billed separately?
• Roommate matching policy, if you need one
• Sublease rules for summer / study abroad
Groceries & food
HEB has the basics; for Nepali and South Asian groceries, NSA carpools to Asian markets in Austin most weekends — spices, momo wrappers, everything. Veg and halal options exist near campus, but cooking at home stretches your budget the furthest. Ask about the group grocery run in the chat.
Getting around
The Bobcat Shuttle is fare-free — no ID or fare needed — and covers most student housing. Rideshare fills the gaps late at night. Most first-years genuinely don't need a car — check the route map before deciding you do.
Phone & utilities
Low-cost plans like Mint Mobile work well and don't require a US credit history. Check your phone is unlocked before you leave Nepal. Most apartments bill water/electric separately from rent — ask up front so it's not a surprise.
Health & insurance
The Student Health Center on campus handles most everyday visits. F-1 and J-1 international students are also required by university policy to carry the international student health insurance plan, billed to your account each semester — don't skip it, and don't let it lapse.
What a month actually costs (rough numbers)
Prices shift year to year, so double-check with current members — but as a starting point: shared rent $500–800, groceries $150–250, phone $15–30, transport near $0 if you're shuttle-adjacent. Weather is hot and humid most of the year with a mild winter, and San Marcos is generally a safe, walkable college town — usual precautions apply, especially walking alone late at night.
Nepal Floods · August 2026
Our home is hurting right now — and every bit helps.
On August 26, 2026, catastrophic flash floods hit the Nepal–Tibet border region. As of September 2, the death toll has passed 1,100, with roughly 4,500 people still missing across Nepal and China. Many of us have family, friends, or hometowns directly affected. If you're able to help, even a small amount goes a long way — you can donate straight to Nepal's official Prime Minister Disaster Relief Fund (PMDRF) below.
Nepalese Student Association at Texas State University.
Community
Guides & Resources
In case of emergency
ISSS: (512) 245-7966
University Police: (512) 245-2805
University Police: (512) 245-2805
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