Your ultimate housing checklist: 6 questions every career college student should ask

So you've enrolled in a career college or trade school — congratulations! You're about to start an exciting journey that will set you up for a great career. But now comes the next big decision: Where are you going to live while you're in school?

Don't worry, you're not alone if you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed by housing options. Whether you're a student figuring this out on your own or a parent helping your child navigate the process, asking the right questions upfront can save you time, money, and stress down the road.

Here are six essential questions that will help you find housing that works for your situation and budget:

1. Does your school have on-campus housing or work with housing partners?

Some career colleges offer dorms or on-campus housing, but many don't. If your school doesn't have housing, find out if they've partnered with a student housing provider. These partnerships exist because the school has vetted the housing company and trusts them to take good care of their students.

Companies like Collegiate Housing Services (CHS) work with schools specifically to provide housing solutions for career college students. When a school endorses a housing partner, it usually means they've done the homework on safety, reliability and student support that you might not have time to do yourself.

2. Are you willing to share an apartment or room?

Be honest with yourself about this one. Sharing space means sharing costs … and the savings can be significant. If you're set on having your own private room and bathroom, that's fine, but know that it's going to cost more.

Here's something else to consider: most traditional college students share housing for at least their first year, but career college students often don't even think about it as an option. And because many career college programs can be completed in less than two years, the short-term inconvenience may wells be worth the long-term savings.

3. How close is the housing to campus?

This isn't just about convenience — it's about your daily life and budget. Not every student brings a car to school, so think through your transportation situation. If you don't have a car, is the housing on a bus or train line? Can you walk to campus safely?

And speaking of safety...

4. Is the housing in a safe neighborhood?

Safety should be non-negotiable, especially if you're young or your family is involved in helping you make this decision. Research the neighborhood, look up crime statistics, and if possible, visit the area during different times of day.

Don't be afraid to ask housing providers directly about security measures, lighting, and what they do to ensure student safety. Legitimate housing companies will be happy to discuss their safety protocols.

5. What kind of lease will you be signing?

Many students don't realize how important this question is until it's too late. There are two main types of leases: individual and joint.

With an individual lease, you're only responsible for your portion of the rent. If your roommate decides to leave school and move out, you're not stuck paying their share.

With a joint lease, everyone is responsible for the full rent amount. If one person leaves, the remaining roommates have to cover their portion or risk everyone getting in trouble with the landlord.

Career college students sometimes need to leave school for legitimate reasons like family emergencies, health issues, or other life circumstances. An individual lease protects you from being financially responsible for someone else's situation.

6. What are the termination terms?

Life happens. Even though you're enrolling in a career college with every intention of graduating and starting your career, you’ll want to understand what happens if you need to leave early.

Look for housing providers that offer reasonable early termination fees rather than making you responsible for the entire lease term. This is another area where working with a school's housing partner can be beneficial — they understand that career college programs are shorter and that students' situations can change.

The bottom line

Finding the right housing doesn't have to be stressful if you ask the right questions upfront. Start with these six questions, and don't be afraid to dig deeper if you need more information.

Remember, your collegiate housing is just a means to an end, with the end being your education and career. You want housing that supports your goals without creating financial or logistical stress that distracts from your studies.

Take the time to ask these questions, get clear answers, and choose housing that helps you focus on what really matters — your education and your future.