The off-campus application has closed for the 2024-2025 Academic Year. Participating students will be emailed with results of the lottery and next steps.

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Bates is a residential college; we encourage and most students do live in on-campus housing for all four years. Bates does permit a number of senior students to live off-campus each year.

Information for Off-Campus Application

Who is eligible to live off-campus?
Only rising seniors may apply for and participate in the off-campus lottery. There is a maximum number of students permitted to live off-campus each year.  If you are successful in the lottery, you will receive permission to live off-campus and forgo your eligibility to be guaranteed on-campus housing.

When should I sign a lease?
You should not sign a lease until you receive this permission via the Off-Campus Lottery in the spring of your junior year. Students are not guaranteed the ability to live off-campus. 

Can I live off-campus and eat in Commons?
On the off-campus application, you will identify if you would like to remain on or be taken off the board meal plan at commons. The majority of off-campus students remain on the meal plan. Please see the meal rebate information below for those students who select to be taken off the meal plan.

What is the housing rebate?
The rebate for the 2024-2025 academic year will be no less than $5,260 ($2,630 per semester) for housing and $5,260 ($2,630 per semester) for meals. The Board of Trustees will confirm the exact amount at their spring meeting, but it will not be less than the above number. Your rebate will show as a credit on your bill each semester. If you have specific questions, please contact Student Financial Services. When making financial plans to live off-campus, please be sure to reference only Bates-published information. The annual rebate is calculated individually each year, and references to this number on non-Bates websites are historically inaccurate.

If I apply, am I guaranteed to be able to live off-campus?
No. After the results, there will be a waitlist for when students’ plans change.

How do I find available apartments?
By pursuing off-campus housing, you are opting out of on-campus housing and the amenities of on-campus housing. Our office does not provide lists of recommendations or endorsements for local apartments or landlords. You can consult student Facebook groups, websites, or apps for your search.

Off-Campus Process Dates

Friday, February 2, 2024	Off-Campus Lottery Applications open
Friday, February 16, 2024	Off-Campus Lottery applications are due at 4:00 p.m.
Monday, February 26, 2024	Off-Campus Lottery results sent out via email; waitlist begins for students not granted permission if necessary.
Monday, March 4, 2024	Students granted permission must return agreement and potential address information.
Friday, May 3, 2024	Final off-campus addresses and student liaisons are due. New Neighbor Readiness Module is due.

Information for Off-Campus Students

Info Session
Every year, Student Affairs hosts an information session on Off-Campus housing and how it relates to Bates’ community standards.

Off-Campus Policies
The off-campus policies are listed on the Student Affairs website: Off-Campus Policies.

Addresses and Student Representative Info
All students residing off-campus must maintain a current local address, name of student house representative, and phone number with Student Affairs. This is as much for security concerns as it is to maintain lines of communication for the college.

Transportation
Transportation services to off-campus apartments are not available except in extenuating circumstances.

Meal Plan
If you are an off-campus student and wish to be removed from the Board Meal Plan, it must be done through the Office of Residence Life and Health Education no later than 4:30 p.m. on the first Friday of classes of the semester or a late fee will be assessed.

If you are an off-campus student and choose to be removed from the Board Plan after the first Friday and before the second Friday of classes, at 4:30 p.m., you will be assessed a fee of $25.00 per day. This fee applies whether or not you actually ate in Commons for those days.

You cannot be removed from the Board Plan after the second Friday of classes after 4:30pm. If you wish to add the Board Plan, you may do so at any time and will be assessed the rate for the entire semester.

Parking Permits
As per the Bates College parking policy, you must register your vehicle with Bates College Campus Safety regardless of whether or not you have received a parking permit. In many instances, having this information on file can assist us in resolving issues quickly without unnecessarily involving city or college resources. Please see the Parking Regulations on the Bates Campus Safety website for additional parking information

Additional Resources for Students Living Off-Campus

Knowing your Tenant Rights
It is important to read your lease carefully before signing. Your landlord is solely responsible for providing you with a safe residence, including compliance with life safety code requirements and other regulations. Bates has no responsibility for the condition or safety of your dwelling. You should also become familiar with your rights as tenants. Please review the Renters’ Rights provided by the State of Maine.

City of Lewiston Ordinances
For students living in the greater Lewiston community, it is important to be aware of city noise ordinances