Consult your school's student life and/or financial aid department. These departments often partner with local apartment complexes to offer students special deals and discounts on apartment rentals close to campus. The best time to contact them is 3 to 4 months before the beginning of each term (August in the fall, January in the spring) for the most desirable apartment locations, lease terms and rent fee offers.
Decide whether you want a roommate. Although you sacrifice a bit of privacy, splitting the cost of rent for a two or three bedroom apartment will almost always save you money (about $50-$100 per month), as opposed to renting a single occupancy. If privacy is more important to you, renting a one-bedroom studio-style apartment (one large space) is also usually more affordable than a standard one-bedroom with segmented living areas.
Before signing the lease, calculate how much a semester's worth of rent will be. Request this amount in addition to funds needed for education while signing up for loans. Most private loans will allow this money to be used towards apartment rental, especially if the student is full-time. The sooner you request the funds (at least three months in advance), the sooner you will have access to them for use in securing an apartment.
Many campuses offer apartment rentals in addition to standard dorm rooms. By far, the upside of these spaces is location--they are within walking distance to classes, campus libraries and student activity centers. Consult your on-campus student life department for specific details on pricing and lease terms. Keep in mind, though, that while the cost of rent varies depending on which college you attend, campus apartments will usually cost more versus renting off-campus.
Before moving into your apartment, survey the space and document all areas of disrepair--including cracked windows, stained carpeting, broken appliances, or anything else you may find. Do this no matter how small it seems. Review the list with your landlord. Keep a copy for yourself. This serves two purposes: not only will this alert the landlord to repairs which should be made before your occupancy, but it will protect you from being liable for damage which you weren't responsible for, ensuring that you will be able to reclaim any security deposits.