Living off campus and sharing the apartment with others while cooking your own food works out to be less expensive. If you are a vegetarian, living off campus may be the only alternative. Pressure cookers are not available here, so getting one along with a few basic utensils would be of use. In general, three persons share an apartment, so suitably plan on the size of your utensils. Many new students who do not have an assistantship inquire about the possibility of assistantship after arrival.
Most students do get some sort of financial aid after arrival within a semester or two.
But a few students are not so lucky. In most circumstances it has been seen that deserving students do get some sort of financial assistance. Contacting the professors prior to your arrival may be of help if you were looking for support. All students are encouraged to bring extra copies of transcripts, recommendation letters and all other important documents. In this way you can make friends prior to your arrival.