Off-Campus Living
Bucknell is a residential university with a four-year residency requirement, which means that you are expected to live in Bucknell campus housing for the four years of your college experience. Each year, a limited number of rising seniors are approved to live off campus through a random selection process. In order to live off campus, students must apply and be granted approval by Housing and Residential Education.
Off-campus approval from Housing Services is not required for:
- Graduate students
- Non-traditional students
- New students who are 23 years of age or older
- Students who are living with family/commuting
- Students who are married and/or have children
- Returning students who will turn 25 during senior year
Eligibility
Living off campus at Bucknell is a privilege and comes with responsibilities. When living off campus, the student becomes the face of Bucknell for members of the local community. Only rising senior students who complete the application process will be eligible to live off campus. Eligibility is determined by the following factors:
- Class
Only rising seniors and students beginning the fourth year of a five-year program are eligible to apply for off-campus living. - Fraternity or Sorority Membership
For fraternity or sorority members, approval to live off campus is contingent upon their organization filling their chapter housing to capacity, as well as providing six alternates to live in on-campus should a vacancy arise in chapter housing.
How to Apply
The application process begins in late September/early October for the following academic year and is a multi-step online process. Approval to live off campus is not guaranteed. Do not sign a lease for off-campus accommodations until you have received final written approval from Housing and Residential Education.
Leases/Services
If pre-approval to live off campus is granted, the student is responsible for locating an approved rental property, negotiating with the landlord and signing a lease. The University does not inspect facilities located off campus that are not owned by the University. The University does not determine whether an off-campus residence is safe, sanitary and in compliance with local ordinances.
The University does not provide Residence Life services or directly supervise students off campus.
Defrauding Housing Services
Students have a responsibility to act honestly. Once students have been approved to live off campus, signed a lease and agreed to live in a specific space, they must continue to live there. Anyone attempting to defraud the application process will have their approval revoked, along with the approval of the other members of their group.