Frequently Asked Questions About Off-Campus Housing

1. If I live off-campus will my GMS award cover my rent and other off-campus living expenses? If so, is there paperwork involved? Possibly. You should consult with your institutions Financial Aid Office to discuss the institutions cost of attendance breakdown for on-campus versus off-campus living and the Office of Residence Life. 2. Do I need to notify GMS staff if I decide to live-off campus? It is more important to notify your institutions financial aid advisor. Your financial aid advisor can tell you whether your cost of attendance for financial aid is based upon you residing on-campus, off-campus or with parents. 3. How do I communicate my intent to live off-campus to my Financial Aid Counselor? Find out your institutions housing policy in advance; GMS will only pay/consider the cost of nine or ten month rental agreements. Speak with your Financial Aid Counselor about any specifics related to your institution. 4. Will my utilities be covered by my GMS award for off-campus housing, if so, how? Your GMS award can be applied to the costs for electric, gas, water and LAN line telephone if you were to live off-campus. The GMS award will not cover costs for a cell phone, cable television or internet. 5. How much does the GMS award cover for off-campus housing? A students housing allowance is determined by the institutions financial aid office. Offcampus housing costs should not exceed the average used for students at your institution based on your housing assignment and preferences. 6. Will the GMS award cover fees for rental applications, security deposit or first months rent? No. the GMS award will not cover any required fees. You should work with your financial aid counselor and the Office of Off-Campus Housing (if applicable). 7. Do I need to list my intent to live off-campus on my FASFA form? Yes, you should; but if your circumstances change, you can relay this information to your financial aid office representative.

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8. How does living off-campus affect my GMS award? How is it funded? Your housing costs will be determined by your financial aid officer and calculated into your cost of attendance. You should consult with your financial aid officer to determine how your GMS funds can be applied to off-campus housing expenses. 9. How does summer housing for summer classes work? If eligible for summer funding consideration, housing can be included in summer cost of attendance. This is determined by geographic area, your institution and/or your Financial Aid Office. 10. Is it cheaper to live off-campus? This is determined by your Financial Aid Office/institution and is probably influenced by the geographic area of your institution. You should consult your financial aid office or Office of Off-Campus Housing. 11. If I need legal assistance related to my lease, where can I find it? These are some resources that maybe helpful to you. Legal aid (Look into your location legal aid society) U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development (www.hud.gov) Office of Off-Campus Housing (at your institution) Student Legal Services Office (at your institution) 12. Should I live off-campus during my freshman year? Research on how college affects students indicates that living on campus can positively impact students experience and outcomes in college, including increasing the likelihood of graduation. GMS strongly believes (and research supports) that there are significant benefits for students who live on campus. Listed below are some of the benefits observed by researchers for those living oncampus:
a) RELATIONAL: Research indicates that students who live on campus have significantly more social interaction with peers. This connection with peers is important because, many students will leave a university if they feel disconnected and marginalized from their community. These relationships also provide a place where students can unpackage their academic experiences with their peers b) MENTORS: There is significant more social interaction that an on-campus student has with faculty and administrators. This connection with faculty permits a student to become more engaged in their area of study; which leads to deepening their interest and focus on their discipline.

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c) SATISFACTION: On campus residents are more likely to be involved in co-curricular activities and use campus facilities. As Ernest Boyer observed some years ago, over a hundred hours of a week is spent outside of classes and studying. Use of facilities and participation in co-curricular events rounds out and augments what is learned in the classroom. This further reinforces their satisfaction with their university experience. d) GRADUATION: Interestingly, students who live in campus housing consistently persist in their studies and graduate at significantly higher rates than students who have not had this on-campus experience. e) SENSE OF SELF: Students living in residence halls show a higher level of self esteem over time. Autonomy and self-directedness also appear to be higher than those who commute from their parents home. If a development of maturity in young adults is a goal of parents and an institution this observation is encouraging. f) VALUES: Another interesting observation is that those who live on campus express significantly greater increases in aesthetic, cultural, and intellectual values. These are the hopes of liberal arts institutions across the country. g) SCHOOL PRIDE: A deeper sense of school pride is often present. That then contributes to a students sense of belonging and ownership of their own educational experience. h) CONVENIENCE: There are also the general convenience issues such as meal preparation, maintenance of buildings, access to study groups, etc. i) COST: There are certain circumstances where living off campus seems to be a better financial option. At times this is the case; however when one adds the cost of internet, laundry, and utilities to the overall cost that margin is diminished or eliminated. Further the challenge of renting with other roommates become interesting when dynamics of sharing in the payment of bills becoms an issue. SAFETY: Living on campus adds to a students actual and perceived safety and security. Having professional staff that are always training and watching for the safety of students cannot be replicated by the city. Security, Plant Services and Residence Life personnel are trained in medical response as well as being observant in identifying concerns which arise in terms of safety.

j)

k) SUPPORT: In moments where a student has a mental and/or physical crisis or even academic concerns the possibilities for assistance, advocacy and intervention are much higher for those living on campus. l) SPIRITUAL GROWTH: In many ways, the most important aspect of the college experience has to do with the ethos and mission. Students who live on campus have much better access to opportunities for prayer, studies, accountability, late night conversations, and formal and informal opportunities to grow spiritually.

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Things to consider if you decide to live off-campus

NOTE: GMS funding can only be applied to off-campus housing expenses during the nine or ten month academic year. Cost of rent: Most apartment leases are for 12 months while living on-campus usually consists of the academic year (9-10 months). You may need to consider alternative options to fund the duration of your lease. There are additional costs associated with living off-campus. Some of those additional cost are: Electricity Internet GMS funds will not cover this expense Water & Sewage Hot water Cable TV GMS funds will not cover this expense Select an apartment that is within your budget. A loft apartment downtown sounds nice but there may be other apartments that will fit within your housing expense that is allocated in your award. You may be responsible for the rent expenses that exceed the institutional budget If you decide to live off-campus you may need to find alternative ways to fund your housing expenses during the summer months

What should I know before choosing a place to live off campus?

Leases
The basic agreement between you and the owner of rental property is a lease. A lease is a binding legal agreement that is enforceable through the legal system. If you move before the end of the lease term and the landlord has performed properly, you may be legally responsible to pay for the remainder of the lease.

Deposits (security or damage)

Most owners require you to deposit a sum of money when you rent a unit. Deposits generally range in amount from one half to two (2) full months rent. This is designed to reimburse the owner for any damage to the unit or for failure to pay rent. At the end of the tenancy, the owner must return the deposit plus interest or submit an explanation why the deposit or any part of it has been withheld. You should find out the exact purpose for which the deposit will be used and the circumstances affecting its refund. This should be clearly stated in the written lease, which you sign.

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Renters Insurance
Renters insurance is an item you should purchase. Landlords property insurance does not cover your personal property. If you cannot afford to replace your belongings if they are damaged, lost, or stolen, then you should look into buying a policy. If you are still on your parent/guardians insurance, the least expensive policies can be added to theirs. If these alternatives are not available to you, you can purchase personal property insurance from many insurance agencies.

Additional Information and Rental Facts

A good source of information about landlord/tenant law is U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Developments website regarding information on tenant rights, laws and protection for all states and the District of Columbia. You should visit: http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/topics/rental_assistance/tenantrights

What should I ask before renting off-campus housing?

Rent
How much; When it is due; Starting date?

Deposit
How much; How will it be used; How and when is it refunded?

Damages
Who pays for breakage or other damages over and above normal wear and tear- individuals or all occupants?

Subletting
Is it permitted; What is the procedure?

Roommates
Should all roommates sign the lease; Are roommates responsible for only a portion of the rent; If someone moves out must the remaining occupants make up the difference?

Alterations
May the unit be altered, such as painted; Can you hang pictures on the wall (and how)?

Laundry Facilities
Are they available and are there any restrictions?

Noise Restrictions
For musical instruments, stereo, TV, or social events, is carpeting required on the floor for protection or noise abatement?

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Inspection by Landlord
When may the landlord enter your unit; How much notice must be given?

Parking
Is it available; is it included in the rent or is it an added charge?

Pets
Are pets allowed; is there an additional fee for having a pet?

Utilities
What utilities are included in the rent; How much is the installation fee for those not included; What are the billing and payment procedures?

What should I know before I sign a lease?

If the landlord makes any promises or representations about the apartment, have them put it in writing!
Make sure the lease reflects the fact that youll have new furniture, parking is guaranteed, etc. Verbal contracts can be impossible to enforce; some leases expressly preclude verbal agreements.

Dont sign a lease until you are certain you want the place.
It can be difficult and/or expensive to cancel a lease once its signed.

Dont commit yourself to a place you cant afford!

Each fall, there are students who have rented a multi-bedroom place in the spring and still have not been able to round up enough housemates to make the payments. Anyone who has signed the lease remains legally liable for the full rent.

Be sure to get a copy of the signed lease.

Get this from your landlord and keep it in a safe place. The landlord is required by law to give you a copy. You may need it for future reference if any problems occur during the term of the lease.

Before signing the lease or paying any money, you should inspect the property with the landlord and a witness.
You should also be allowed to inspect the utilities - the appliances, the electrical system, the plumbing, heating and lights - as well as locks and windows. Write down all existing damages. Both you and the landlord should sign and date the list. You may also want to videotape or take photographs to document your descriptions. This list will prevent the landlord from trying to charge you for these damages when you move out. Landlords can refuse to cooperate (these are not rights legally enforceable in court), but cooperation is advised. To have a list is in the best interest of both landlord and tenant, since it protects all parties if there is a disagreement about who is responsible for any repairs.
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The lease should state who is responsible for paying which utility bills.
In some cases, the landlord pays for heat, electricity, and water. Sometimes the tenant is responsible for these bills. If this issue is not addressed in the lease, the tenant and landlord should work out their own understanding. It is good to put this agreement in writing, and have it signed by both parties.
(Source: http://r.umn.edu/student-life/housing/student-friendly-housing/faqs/)

7/2013

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