The ultimate housing planning guide for career college students

Hey, new career college student!

Maybe you just found out you got accepted to your program, or maybe you've been thinking about it for a while and finally pulled the trigger on enrollment. Either way, you're probably feeling excited, a little overwhelmed, and definitely ready to get started on this next chapter of your life.

But here's some advice that could save you stress, money, and headaches: don't wait until the last minute to figure out your housing situation.

Dave Whiteford, VP of Business Development at Collegiate Housing Services spent over 20 years running career schools, and has seen just that happen countless times. His best advice? "Don't wait until the last minute! And be flexible with your standards. Remember, the reason that you need student housing is because you have enrolled in a career skill trade program that is going to set you up for a great life. The student housing is just a means to a greater end and career."

Why securing housing earlier is better

Career college programs often have rolling admissions, which means students can start at different times throughout the year. This flexibility is great for your education timeline, but it can create challenges for housing if you're not prepared.

Here's what happens when you wait too long to figure out where you’re going to live:

Limited options: The best housing situations might get claimed first. Whether it's the apartments closest to campus, the most affordable shared housing, or the roommates with schedules that match yours, waiting means settling for what's left rather than choosing what works best for you.

Higher costs: Last-minute housing decisions often mean higher prices. You might end up paying premium rates for short-term rentals or having to choose more expensive options because the budget-friendly ones are already taken.

Added stress: Starting a new program is exciting but can also be stressful. The last thing you want is to add housing uncertainty to the mix when you should be focusing on your studies and career preparation.

Rushed decisions: When you're under time pressure, it's easy to overlook important details like lease terms, safety considerations, or hidden fees that could impact you later.

That’s why we encourage students to start looking into their housing options as soon as they apply to a school. Sound overwhelming? It doesn’t have to be. We’ve broken housing planning down into three easy-to-manage phases:

Phase 1: Initial research and school confirmation

Once you've been accepted to your program (or even while you're still deciding between schools), start researching housing options. This doesn't mean you need to sign anything yet, but you should:

• Find out if your school has on-campus housing or endorsed housing partners
• Get a general sense of housing costs in the area
• Research neighborhoods and transportation options
• Start thinking about whether you want to live alone or with roommates

Phase 2: Serious exploration and comparison

As your start date becomes more concrete, dive deeper into your options:

• Contact housing providers for detailed information about availability, pricing, and lease terms
• If you're interested in shared housing, inquire about roommate matching services
• Visit housing options if possible, or take virtual tours
• Read lease agreements carefully and ask questions about anything you don't understand
• Compare total costs, including rent, utilities, deposits, and any additional fees

Phase 3: Decision and commitment

Ideally, you want to secure your housing well before your program starts:

• Choose your housing option and complete the application process
• Understand move-in procedures and timelines
• If you have roommates, establish communication and discuss logistics
• Confirm all details about utilities, furniture (if applicable), and any move-in requirements

What if you're already running behind?

Don't panic. Many career college students find themselves needing housing quickly, and there are still good options available if you act fast and stay flexible.

• Contact your school: Start with your school's student services office. They often have relationships with local housing providers and may know about last-minute availability that isn't widely advertised.
• Consider furnished options: Companies like Collegiate Housing Services specialize in furnished housing for career college students. This can be a lifesaver when you're moving quickly because you don't have to worry about buying and moving furniture for what might be a relatively short program.
• Be flexible about roommates: If you were hoping to live alone, consider shared housing to expand your options. Remember, this is temporary housing to support your education goals — and you might actually enjoy having roommates who understand what you're going through.
• Ask about waitlists: Even if your preferred housing option is full, get on the waitlist. People's plans change, and spots do open up.

Most importantly, remember what this is all about: you're investing in your education and career. Your housing situation is important, but it's temporary. You're likely looking at two years or less that will set up the rest of your life.

The goal is to find housing that supports your success without creating unnecessary stress or financial strain. Whether that's a shared apartment with classmates, a private room in a student housing complex, or something in between, the "right" choice is the one that works for your situation and helps you focus on your education.

Start your housing search as early as you can, but don't let perfect be the enemy of good. With some research, flexibility, and timely action, you'll find housing that works for this important chapter of your life.

The sooner you start, the more options you'll have. But even if you're starting late in the process, staying flexible and focused on your priorities will help you find housing that works.