Off Campus FAQ & Safety Advice
We encourage you to read the FAQs first as there is very important information for you to consider.
Will my financial aid be affected if I live off campus?
Students are awarded with financial assistance reflecting on campus housing, unless noted in the student’s annual aid application. As housing status is a part of determining aid eligibility and financial aid varies dramatically from student to student, we recommend that you contact the Office of Financial Aid directly to discuss your personal situation.
If I am studying away from the Hartford campus for part of the year, will I be able to share a lease with someone?
This is between the renter and the property owner. Ask questions!
What do I need to do to get permission from the college to live off campus?
Each year, on a first-come, first-served basis, the college will allow a limited number of students to live off campus. At the bottom of the page there is a link to a “Request to Live Off Campus Form.” Please make sure that you tell us that you will be living off campus by completing the form(exact date is contained in the housing lottery instructions). When you do this it will help us let others know (who want to live on campus) that there will be space for them.
If I live off campus, how will that affect my lottery number in future years?
Under the current system, the way that lottery numbers are calculated is to average the room ratings for each room you occupied in campus housing. When students take a period off, study away from campus, or live off campus, there is no room rating given. Therefore, there is no penalty for living off campus.
Safety Advice:
- Always lock your door. You have the right to ask your landlord to change the locks before you move in.
- Make sure your front door has a peephole and dead bolt lock. Keep windows and doors secured with working locks at all times.
- Secure sliding glass doors with a safety bar in the door track to prevent them from being forced open.
- Never hide a key under the doormat, flowerpot or other easily accessible place – crooks know where to look.
- At night, close your curtains and shades to prevent people from seeing any valuables, or whether you are alone in the house.
- Ask your landlord to trim trees and bushes near your entrances to maximize visibility
- Ask for proper ID from maintenance people, landlords or strangers. Don’t be afraid to ask – legitimate staff carry them!
- Don’t loan your key out. And don’t loan your key to repair or delivery people, or allow any service person to enter your home when nobody is there.
- Don’t let strangers into the building or allow them to follow you in.
- Develop a “buddy” system with neighbors. Be alert for suspicious people or activity in your neighborhood.
- Never leave a note on the door saying you are away. Do leave a light on when you are away so it looks occupied.
