Apartment-hunting as a college student is often exciting and terrifying; you’re striking out on your own for the first time in your adult life. Here are a few things to keep in mind when searching for your next home.

Off-campus housing includes College Park Commons, Bard, Rocktowne, Rocktowne Townhomes, Creekside, Brookside, Madison Court Apartments, Deerfield and Roxbury Ridge apartments.

As per the Shippensburg University residency requirement, all students who have fewer than 60 credits by the first day of classes of the semester of enrollment are required to reside in university housing. 

That means all second-year students under 60 credits are required to live on campus. Exceptions include first-year or second year students who reside full-time within the home of their parents or legal guardians within 35 miles of campus; those who are 21 years old; those who are legally married and second-year students who have a 3.2 GPA or higher after their first two semesters on campus. 

Writing a checklist of what your “must-have” items when researching apartments will be helpful. Think about the things you do not want to compromise on, such as pets or smoking rules. Taking a tour of the apartment before you sign a lease can help you envision how it would look like to live there. 

Utilities like air-conditioning, heat, electric and Wi-Fi are not always included like they are with on campus housing. What is included and not included are usually outlined in your lease and on your application. 

Besides monthly payments, complexes often have one-time fees for applications, security deposits, background checks, credit reports and other things specific to that complex.  

Some complexes ask you to pay your first month’s rent at the time of signing the lease. Paying and budgeting for an apartment is no joke—make sure that you can afford it without stretching yourself too thin.

Sincerely,

The ShipTalker

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