Written by Dr. Sean P. Killion, Associate Director for Housing Operations & Doretha Starling, Administrative Specialist for Off-Campus Living
Off-Campus Living – Making the Decision
Undergraduates attending traditional four-year colleges, face the first real choice to live away from home. Number one priority: Housing! While most universities provide housing for their students, many schools like Temple University also allow undergrads to live off-campus. Now, while it can be hard to deal with determining which option is best for you. We hope to make your decision a little less stressful.
Before we move forward, we do want to point out that this is a subject to consider more as an upperclassman than as an incoming freshman. Although Temple University has no set housing requirements, we strongly urge you to live in university housing if possible. For many students attending Temple, living on campus is a big part of enjoying the college experience. The social activities, the camaraderie with fellow students, and the overall campus lifestyle can provide many opportunities for fun and comfortable living.
For more information about living on-campus, please visit: https://housing.temple.edu/spring-housing
Getting Started with some Frequently Asked Questions
Who lives off-campus?
University Housing and Residential Life accommodates approximately 80% of our incoming freshman class in addition to sophomores, juniors, and seniors. The majority of our upper-class students live in off-campus locations.
Are freshmen allowed to live off-campus?
University Housing & Residential Life does not currently require freshmen students to live in university housing. Freshmen students should check for University Housing availability by calling 215-204-7184 or emailing housing@temple.edu before seeking off-campus housing options. To ensure the highest level of student success during their first year of college, we strongly encourage students to consider the on-campus, residential experience. Studies have shown students perform better academically and achieve greatest levels of persistence when living on campus. These numbers are amplified when students get involved on campus, participate in programs and/or join Living Learning Communities.
How Financial Aid & Off-Campus Housing Works?
You will be awarded the same dollar amount of financial aid regardless of whether you decide to live on or off-campus. Generally, it is cheaper to live off-campus, your bursar bill will contain tuition and other university fees, but it won’t contain your housing costs. That means if your financial aid award is greater than the amount Temple charges you, that excess money will be given directly to you so that you can pay your off-campus housing expenses. You will receive a lump sum each semester, in which you can pay your rent monthly or for the entire semester.
The major difference is that the University will wait until your financial aid hits your account before deducting housing costs. Living off-campus you will have to pay upfront (1-month rent plus application fee) in most cases in order to get your lease. Once your financial aid hits your account you will be able to reimburse anyone who assisted you in getting your lease.
Click on the link below for FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE which includes (grants, loans (parent plus and 529 plans) & scholarships).
http://sfs.temple.edu/apply/housing-and-financial-aid
Can I have a meal plan if I live off-campus?
All off-campus housing properties have cooking facilities. Students living off-campus have the opportunity but are not required to purchase meal plans through the MyHousing system. My Meal Plan is available through the MyHousing website via the TUportal. All meal plans are posted to your tuition bill. To add or change a meal plan, visit the MyHousing system via the TUportal.
Temple University Off-Campus Services Website
University Housing & Residential Life launched a new program in October 2018, the Temple University Off-Campus Housing Service in collaboration with a 3rd party company Off Campus Partners.
Each year we receive requests from students, parents, and faculty/staff for information and assistance finding off-campus housing. This website is a one-stop-shop for all your off-campus housing needs.
The service is free for Temple students, undergraduate & graduate, faculty and staff. All visitors & guests are free to browse and view all listing and resources. The website offers you numerous methods in which to search for off-campus housing that meets your specific needs, as well as providing invaluable resources at your disposal. The website is user-friendly with searchable listing database, each listing has photographs & floor plans, displaying a map of the property location with its proximity to campus.
Register for an account under (My Account) using your Temple AccessNet credentials to search for properties, post a sublet listing, create & search roommate profiles, and use the message boards.
Temple University Off-Campus Services Website – Housing Types
9 Complexes
The complexes are built specifically for Temple students unable to get University Housing. They include The View, Vantage, Oxford Village, The Edge, University Village, Kardon Atlantic, University Apartments, The Nest at 1324, and Diamond Green. Several are as close as residential housing and all are listed on the main campus map which means that the area is patrolled by Temple Campus Safety. These properties are called off-campus, not because of their location but because any housing in which Temple University is not paid directly is considered to be “off-campus housing”. These are shared apartments ranging generally from 1 – 4 bedrooms each student has their own room and share the rest of the apartment.
Property Management Companies, Real Estate Companies and Private Landlords
These properties offer studios, one and two bedrooms in small apartment buildings. There also those that offer 3-4 bedrooms in houses to share.
Temple University Off-Campus Services Website - Temple Resources
The contents of this page is a virtual treasure trove of information to assist in every process of off-campus living.
Temple Resources
- Good Neighbor Initiative – a program that purposes to engage and develop student involvement in the Temple University and North Philadelphia community. https://goodneighbor.temple.edu/
- Temple Campus Safety Boundary and Temple Flight shuttles work hand in hand and extend beyond the main campus to provide safety and security to students living off-campus. https://safety.temple.edu/
Temple University Off-Campus Services Website - Temple Resources
The contents of this page is a virtual treasure trove of information to assist in every process of off-campus living.
Temple Resources
- Good Neighbor Initiative – a program that purposes to engage and develop student involvement in the Temple University and North Philadelphia community. https://goodneighbor.temple.edu/
- Temple Campus Safety Boundary and Temple Flight shuttles work hand in hand and extend beyond the main campus to provide safety and security to students living off-campus. https://safety.temple.edu/
Temple University Off-Campus Services Website – Other Resources
If you are considering a house to share – before signing a lease, get information on properties you may be potentially renting from. To ensure proper licenses have been acquired. You are able to view recent activity around your address, such as crimes, 311 service requests, and more.
Contact Us
Temple University Off-Campus Services
We are located at 1910 Liacouras Walk, Third Floor, Suite 202 Philadelphia, PA 19122. Our hours are Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Our phone number is (215) 204-7184 (option #2).
Note: Temple University Off-Campus Housing Services Website was created solely to service the Temple community by providing education, information and resources regarding off-campus living. The listing of rental units on this site is a service to local rental property owners and Temple University students, faculty, and staff. Rental property owners are responsible for reporting information fairly and accurately, and Temple University and Off Campus Partners cannot guarantee the completeness or accuracy of such information. Inclusion of any property or rental unit on this website does not constitute, and shall not be construed or reported as (1) an endorsement or approval by Temple University or Off Campus Partners of the landlord, its properties, or its business practices, or (2) a warranty or representation by Temple University or Off Campus Partners as to the quality, safety or other features of such property and/or its owners or management agent(s). Temple University and Off Campus Partners expressly disclaim any and all responsibility for any problems that may arise with regard to such property or rental units or with regard to disputes between landlords and tenants concerning such property or rental units. All prospective tenants are encouraged to exercise their own good judgment when evaluating a prospective rental unit or landlord.
