All single, full-time students under the age of 22 are required to live on campus. Any student who has academic credit standing of 57 credits or above (not including AP or CLEP) may be considered for this housing option. Additionally exceptions are granted to students with non-traditional status (those over the age of 22, students with families, and married students living locally). Students who may be interested in living off campus must complete of all the following steps in the Off-Campus Housing Process to be considered for approval:
Procedure:
Meet the minimum credit hour requirement (57 not including AP or CLEP by the end of your 4th semester).
Attend an off-campus housing orientation
Submit a completed off-campus housing application packet to the Office of Residence Life prior to the deadline set by the office.
Provide a letter of support from parent or guardian (unless classified as independent student by Office of Financial Aid).
Maintain good standing with the College. Good standing is defined as not being on academic or chapel probation. Or on disciplinary probation within the six months prior to application. Also,
Confirm with the Financial Aid Office that aid package is not affected by living off campus.
Once approval is received, sign off-campus housing contract online via MCSquare on the Residence Life/Housing channel.
Do NOT enter into a lease or rental agreement until you have received official approval from the Office of Residence Life. If you sign a lease or rental agreement without having received this approval, you may be liable to the landlord for rent even though you are required to live on campus.
Important Off-Campus Dates:
Orientation Session:
Day
Date
Time
Location
Wednesday
September 3, 2008
9:30 p.m.
Frey 150
Monday
October 20, 2008
9:30 p.m.
Frey 150
Monday
December 1, 2008
9:30 p.m.
Frey 150
Monday
February 23, 2009
9:30 p.m.
Frey 150
Thursday
February 26, 2009
5:00 p.m.
Frey 150
Application Deadline: Monday, October 27, 2008 and Friday, March 6, 2009
Additional Information:
Please read the off-campus housing section in the online handbook for the most updated version of the off-campus housing policy & procedures. The handbook can be found at this link: Student Handbook
Applications are only distributed for Off-Campus Housing at one of the above orientation sessions or via special request through the Housing Office.
You must wait until you receive an official approval from the Office of Residence Life before entering into any lease. Decisions will be sent to your Messiah email.
Messiah College is a residential campus which means our first commitment is to maintain the educational residential program we have in place in the on-campus residence halls and apartments. The final number of students who will be approved to live off-campus will be determined after we know how many students will be participating in study abroad and Philly programs as well as how many incoming and transfer students we be coming to Messiah College.
Decisions about who will be approved to live off campus will be based on an on-time complete application, number of credits, disciplinary record, no probations and compelling reasons. Students commonly request to live off campus in order to (1) prepare for life after graduation (2) to live with a group of friends who has a unique bond or purpose (3) local nursing clinicals (4) local internships and (5) local student teaching. While all of these reasons are valid they will not be given a high priority.
Applications received after the deadline with extenuating circumstances will be required to seek an exception to complete the process from the Associate Dean. Additionally, students who are granted an exception to complete the process and are granted approval will be subject to the late administrative fee.
If you have questions please contact the Office of Residence Life & Housing at ext 5239.
