With the fall semester quickly approaching, students will be rushing to move in and soon feel rushed to figure out housing plans. While figuring out leases can feel forced and fast, it’s OK, you have time.

There are countless housing opportunities at Penn State, both on and off campus. To help you make sense, we wrote up a quick overview.

On-Campus

Penn State operates on a housing lottery process, as many students have experienced. With five halls and the Nittany Apartments, there are diverse options to accommodate students’ needs and interests, including Living Learning Communities, special interest housing, and more.

Halls offer many conveniences, from location to classes and facilities, dining halls, and 24/7 support with resident assistants.

While students are not guaranteed their top pick for housing, upper-class students have more on-campus housing options available than first-year students. First-years typically have the option for double rooms or suites in North, and can be assigned to supplement housing. Upper-classmen have options of double rooms in traditional and renovated buildings, single rooms in traditional buildings or Eastview Terrace, suites, supplemental housing, and on-campus apartments.

Nittany Apartments are a part of on-campus living, and put four students in an apartment-style building, with their own rooms, a living room, a kitchen, and two bathrooms. Students are still assigned an RA, but have their own apartment and are not as closely monitored. They are right across from the Pollock Commons, while having easier accessibility to cook their own meals as well.

Living on campus gives students convenience, but less freedom with reliability on dining halls and RA supervision, with generally fewer options.

Off-Campus

Living off-campus can have a quick turnaround, with most leases starting to sign in October, but options are still available into the spring semester. Leases and amenities vary by the company and building, with students able to choose what they want to get out of their apartment.

They offer more space and privacy, with typically larger rooms, the option for private bedrooms, and your own kitchen and living space. Students have more control over their days and food, while still having the option to get a meal plan on campus if they prefer.

Twelve-month leases also allow students to stay in State College whenever and for however long they want. They won’t be kicked out by a certain day for breaks, and have to move out while juggling finals.

While on campus have the convenience of campus, off campus has the convenience of downtown, depending on which apartment you choose.

Students also have the option to live as close or far from campus as they choose, from a building right in the middle of downtown close to the bustle of weekends, to a building in the Toftrees for peace and quiet.

Leases far away often include bus passes for transportation and more amenities. Off-campus housing is quickly changing with more luxury high-rises popping up downtown, but they all still offer more accessibility to a car and the town, more privacy, and more freedom.

Whether folks decide to look into on or off-campus housing, or both, don’t forget you have time to make a decision. Breathe, think of all the options, and have fun finding your new home in Happy Valley!