For most young adults, college dorms are the first home away from home, and students are faced with a sudden sense of freedom. The problem is that their freedom is not absolute. Students at ACA and Spring House may not have a curfew, but there are many other rules to follow.
One rule is that since SCAD is a dry campus, students who are of age are not permitted to enjoy libations anywhere on campus, including the privacy of their dorm rooms. In addition, the residents of Spring House cannot use toasters, coffee makers or George Foreman Grills, which often requires them to have a meal plan. As far as receiving visitors, students need to gain permission for overnight guests 24 hours in advance. With all these rules and limitations, dorm life can become reminiscent of living at home.
Dorm life is not for everyone, and SCAD can assist students looking for off-campus housing. One of the things students first need to do is evaluate their financial standing, because SCAD scholarships sometimes require that students live on-campus.
“SCAD scholarships may or may not be affected by their housing, as well,” said Jason Parrish, assistant director of Student Financial Advising. “A majority of our scholarships are broken into a 70/30 percent split. Thirty percent is for housing, so if you’re not living on campus that may be subject to change.” Advisers at the Student Financial Advising Office are available to help students calculate the figures before a move.
After evaluating their financial standing and forming a budget, students are required to get approval from a resident adviser to terminate their dorm contract. “This way, students can assure that they are not being charged for housing that quarter,” said Parrish, who recommends that students use apartment locating service Promove to look for an apartment in safe and convenient areas.
Apart from SCAD scholarships, there are other ways that students find the means to move into an apartment. Some rely on income from jobs or their parents. But students can also use loans and outside scholarship money. “You can use your financial aid funds and/or loans to help with your off-campus living as well, not just on-campus,” said Parrish, who is available to help students budget moving expenses, as well as monthly expenses.
Living in the dorms, which can cost anywhere from $8,000-$10,000 per year, may not be as cost effective as sharing an apartment with roommates. “I shared a one-bedroom apartment with two other roommates, and I still pay less than I did living at Spring House,” said Brian Traynor, second-year sequential art student.
However, living in the dorms does have a few advantages. Residence fees go toward a student’s room, as well as paying for the maintenance of common living halls, security and utilities, such as local telephone service, cable TV and Internet access that students would otherwise pay for directly.
