Does anyone know how financial aid works for housing once you move off campus? I’ll call the FA office on Monday, just curious if anyone knows how it works.
Also, when do students sign leases for the following year (I hear it’s pretty early). Are apartments generally 2 or 4 students per apartment? Do they usually require first, last, and deposit? Do all the roommates sign the lease or just one? So many questions about apartments in CT…
- The FA will explain to you in detail about how the allowance for housing is calculated into your FA package.
- My d. was "late" in securing her apartment, with one other roommate - the landlord made it very clear that it was a two person apartment. The first/last/security was due at signing - so for my d. that meant early November. The lease starts August 1st - this date , I am told differs for different landlords. Then this part is really hard - my d. paid five months rent, July 1st and will be paying the final five months in November 2015 (not a typo). Make sure you read the entire lease carefully. I believe there are staff members in the housing department that are available to check out your lease to protect you. Good Luck!
To get best choice of apartments start looking as soon as school starts for NEXT year! I think my D and her roommates secured their apartment in early Sept. for the following school year.
Thank you, bayavenue83 and csdad. My D and her friends will be looking as soon as school starts, I think. Too bad it’s such a crazy and stressful situation. If anyone else has apartment rental stories or information to share, I’d love to hear them…I think.
Are the leases usually for 9-months or the whole year? Can anyone tell me the general price ranges?
From what I understand, most are a 1 year lease. Are you sitting down? For a two bedroom apartment within walking distance of campus, my d. is paying $1700.00 ($850.00 each) a month with heat only included. The apartment is furnished, but the two bedrooms vary greatly in size and there is no washer/dryer on site. The apartment they really wanted was $2000.00 and included nothing - I never saw it but told it was beautiful and had granite countertops…I informed my d. she could choose to live in an apartment such as that after she had graduated and it was on her nickel.
Oy vay. I appreciate your info, bayavenue. I guess you have to sublet for the summer or just bite the bullet. I wish Cornell would take better care of this housing situation.
S1 lived last year in Collegetown Terrace. New complex with shuttle service to campus. Was told on signing the October prior that the apartment was the last 3 bedroom averrable and had to sign that day or loose it. No negotiation at $2865 per month for 3 bedroom. I do not believe that it was more then 50% occupied this past year. He did liked living there although it did have some issues with wifi. Lease was a 12 month lease with some additional charges (Garbage) and they had to pay electric and there was an additional parking fee
My D paid 800 & 700 a month in her two years right in heart of Collegetown
Wow, this is eye opening. My D1 goes to Carnegie Mellon and Pittsburgh has lots of vibrant, great ares to live near campus (walking distance or shuttle) that are very affordable compared to what I’m reading here! So I’ll stop complaining on the $600/month place she has!!! 
My daughter is staying at an apartment near West this coming school year. Lease is 12 months. Rent is $800/month (per room. she has 2 roommates) that includes internet and TV signal and water. Heating and electric is extra.
I spoke to someone in FA yesterday. They said FA allows for 13k per year for both room and board; $900 per month for room only. Apartment living can cost less or more than dorm living, depending on what you choose/find.