Moving In & Moving Out
Moving In
WE ARE getting ready for Arrival, are you?
Visit our Arrival website to learn more about the Arrival process, including the check-in schedule, check-in locations, and checklists.
Changing Rooms During the Semester
Once the semester has begun, room changes can be processed through the Room Exchange eBoard or by the Housing Assignment Office. After a room change is approved:
- Confirmation: an email will be sent to confirm a room assignment change has been processed
- Timeline: the move must be completed within four (4) days of the room change
- Room Rate: room rate adjustments are pro-rated, based on the room change effective date. Rate adjustments are posted to the student's LionPATH account
- Room Assignment: Room assignment information display in eLiving > My Info > My Room
- Check-In: On the move-in day, visit the housing area Commons Desk to check-in and activate access to the residence hall and room
- Pollock traditional residence halls: a physical room key will be issued
- All other residence halls: at the first entry, tap reader once, wait 30 seconds to allow the reader to connect with the server to verify the student's account, and then tap again to unlock. This step is only required on the first entry.
- Moving Carts: request a moving cart through eLiving > My Info > Loaner Equipment Rent and pick up at the housing area Commons Desk
- Move: Move items into new room assignment
- Check-Out: within 24 hours of checking in to new room, check-out of of original room
- Pollock traditional residence halls: failure to return the room key to the Pollock Commons Desk will result in a $64 core change fee
- All other residence halls: checkout through eLiving > My Info > Check-Out; a confirmation email will be sent. Failure to check-out will result in a $25 improper check-out fee.
- Mailing Address: updated mailing address displays in eLiving > My Info > My Room. Any mail or packages sent to the original room assignment will be transferred to the new Commons Desk.
- Room Inspection Form: complete the form in eLiving > My Info > Room Inspection within seven (7) days of check-in
Students who are swapping rooms will need to coordinate the move with each other.
Moving Out
It's exciting to plan your move back home! To expedite moving out, it is recommended that students start packing their personal items BEFORE their planned departure (especially if someone is picking them up to reduce the time cars are parked on campus).
Each student living in University Housing is responsible for the condition of that room at the time of check out. Roommates need to develop a plan together for cleaning and returning the room, suite, or apartment to its original move-in state. Cleaning supplies and vacuum cleaners are available at each Commons Desk.
All students must complete all of the required move-out steps
Improper Check-Out Fee
Students who do NOT complete the move-out and check-out steps will incur a $25.00 administrative fee, which will be applied to their LionPATH account for payment. This fee is applicable for room changes, where a student does not check-out of the original room within 24 hours of checking in to the new room assignment.
General Closing Schedule
- Summer Session: University housing closes at noon on the day following the last scheduled examination for official University courses, as announced by the University Registrar.
- Fall semester: University housing closes at 4 p.m. either one (1) or two (2) days following the last scheduled examination for official University courses, as announced by the University Registrar. Students who are returning to the same room for spring semester do NOT need to take their belongings home.
- Spring semester: University housing closes at 4 p.m. either one (1) or two (2) days following the last scheduled examination for official University courses, as announced by the University Registrar.
- Early Building Closures: Due to summer housing needs and construction projects, several residence halls will close a day earlier than the rest of campus. Students assigned to those buildings will be notified in advance. These buildings are used for Maymester housing, which begins on Sunday, the same day as spring closedown. Time is required to clean the building for use.
- Withdrawals: If a student withdraws from the University, the student must officially check out within 24 hours.
Moving Out During the Semester
During the Semester
Students who withdraw during the semester must move-out and check-out of housing within 24 hours of the approved withdrawal. Housing and food charges will apply for the time period that a student lives in University Housing, until the date the student checks out.
Moving Out at End of Semester
End of 2027 Spring Semester
All students must move-out prior to the closing time based on their room assignment:
End of 2027 Summer Session
All students must move-out prior to the closing time:
Drop-and-Go Storage
Move-Out Steps
Step 1 DURING THE SEMESTER: Process Withdrawal from University
The University Registrar provides information regarding the steps for Leaving the University.
Step 1 END OF SEMESTER: Schedule Departure
All students need to Schedule Departure for the end of the semester. Late stays beyond the identified closing time are not permitted.
Completing the Schedule Departure does not Check-Out the student - the student must still complete the additional steps indicated below.
Step 2: Clean Your Room
Please clean the room before departure. Students are responsible for the condition of their assigned space.
- Remove all items and clean the Microfridge; keep the unit plugged in, turned on, and doors closed
- Empty and clean drawers and closets
- Clean floor (vacuum/sweep/mop)
- Remove decor, tape, and residue from walls/furniture
- Take trash to the designated collection area
- Take all personal items with you
- Pick up mail and/or packages from the Commons Desk
- Turn off all lights
- Lock the door and windows
- Students in a suite or apartment should also clean shared spaces, including entryways, kitchens, and bathrooms
Step 3: Move-Out then Check-Out
Once you Move-Out, you will need to Check-Out
To complete the move out process, students must Check-Out based on their housing area. Failure to complete the Check-Out step may result in a $25 administrative fee.
Check-Out Instructions Based on Housing Area:
- Pollock Housing Area - physical room key: return your room key to the Pollock Commons Desk to avoid a core change being processed and billed to your LionPATH account. You will receive a confirmation email that your room key has been returned.
- All other Housing Areas - keyless lock: complete the Check-Out feature in eLiving once you have moved out. Failure to complete this action may result in a $25.00 administrative fee billed to your LionPATH account. Do not complete the Check-Out step until you are ready to leave - this step will deactivate your building and room access, and Campus Meal Plan!
After completing the Check-Out, your building and/or room door access will be deactivated. Check your Penn State email to verify that you received the Check-Out confirmation email. This email confirms that you are officially checked out. It is recommended that you wait to leave campus until you receive the email. Retain the email in case there are any questions about your Check-Out status or charges.
Parking
When leaving, vehicles may temporarily park a vehicle in an identified student parking lot for no more than 30 minutes. Hazard lights must be turned on. If you need more time than that, please utilize one of the identified visitor parking lots.
Carts
Carts are available to sign out as Loaner Equipment Rental through the Commons Desk. Please return the cart to the commons desk within the allotted timeframe.
Goodwill Donations
Penn State University partners with Goodwill to collect donations at the end of spring semester only. Collection bins will be available in the lobbies of all residence halls during an identified timeframe. Students are encouraged to drop off gently used and unwanted clothing, small household and decorative items. Large furniture items will not be accepted. Unexpired food items may also be dropped off and will be distributed to local food pantries.
Goodwill will collect and transport donations to its main sorting site after students move out. These items will be prepared for sale and distributed to Goodwill locations across a 15-county region to be sold.
Donations are a sustainable way for students to help protect the environment by keeping items out of landfills.
Mailing Address
If this is your last time living in University Housing, update your permanent address through the Penn State Account Management system to ensure that US Postal Mail received after the student has checked out of University Housing can be forwarded. Mail that cannot be forwarded will be returned to sender.
All packages will be returned to sender - the University is not able to forward packages.
Make sure that you change your shipping address on websites when placing online orders.
Need a place to store your stuff?
The University has partnered with Storage Squad to provide a storage and shipping solution for students.