On Campus Or Off Campus Housing?

The decision to live in the dormitories or off campus can be a major one for many college students. There are financial considerations as well as health and safety concerns that must be addressed before a decision can be made. Every student is different, so make sure that you weigh the pros and cons of each before you make any changes.

For incoming freshman, housing choices could be limited by your university. Some colleges force new students to live on campus for one year in an attempt to help them adjust to campus life. But in subsequent years, most students can choose their own housing arrangements.

Living On Campus:

Let's review dormitories first. Most are small, have limited storage space, but offer a very secure environment. They usually cost more than off campus housing, but they are located in the middle of everything. If you value these qualities and the higher cost is not an issue, it could make the most sense to stay on campus.

For some students, their scholarships or other financial aid are now being offered with an "on campus" housing requirement. Depending on the amount offered, it may make more sense to stay on campus and keep the scholarship than to move off campus, potentially save some money, but lose the scholarship or aid. Make sure that you ask about housing stipulations with any scholarships before you change your arrangements.

On Campus Dormitory Supervisor: If getting your room and board paid for in exchange for your time and services sounds like a good deal, you might want to consider applying for a Resident Assistant job in one of the dormitories. It can be a great way to cut your college costs. While overseeing students on a dormitory floor can help make college more affordable, you will be required to participate in some training and devote a reasonable amount of time to oversight. Most successful RA's have good mediation, administrative and time management skills.

If you think this might be a good choice for you, get involved on campus and keep an eye on your grade point average. Contact your Res-Life coordinators to find out when they will be accepting applications and get yours in early. These jobs have been known to fill up quickly.

Living Off The Campus:

On the other hand, living off campus can be less expensive, but may not be easily available or accessible to some students. Transportation could be an issue if the housing is not located within walking distance and you don't have access to a car.

Over the years, I have found off campus savings can be as much as 35 percent to 60 percent lower than the cost in the dorms. Additionally, most off campus arrangements allow students to stay the entire year which can save time and money on transporting refrigerators or other items back and forth during the school year.

While you can save money, you have to be aware that campus security are not involved in off campus protection or incidents. Plus some off campus houses are older and may be in disrepair. Some students report problems with allergies and respiratory symptoms which may be caused by mold, mildew and other student cleanliness concerns. If you are medically sensitive to these issues, you may want to carefully investigate the off campus environment before making any moves.

If you decide to move off campus, do your research and make your arrangements early. Get a signed lease and read it carefully. Depending on your location, many college apartments need to be signed well in advance. So if you are not one to plan ahead, you might as well plan on staying in the dormitories.