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.
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 Move-Out, then Check-Out, by the day after their last final examination.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Withdrawals: If a student withdraws from the University, the student must officially check out within 24 hours.
2025 Fall Semester Move-Out
Move-Out Dates
During the Fall Semester
Students who withdraw during the fall 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.
End of Fall Semester
University Housing closes for 2025 fall semester on Sunday, Dec. 21 at 4 p.m. and all students must move-out prior to this closing time.
Move-Out Steps: During the Fall Semester
Step 1: Process Withdrawal from University
The University Registrar provides information regarding the steps for Leaving the University.
Step 2: Clean Your Room
Please clean the room before departure. This will ensure that you return to a fresh space for spring semester.
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Remove all open or perishable items and clean the Microfridge; keep the unit plugged in, turned on, and doors closed
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Take home or throw away any open food containers in the room
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Keep items off floors unless in plastic bins
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Clean floor (vacuum or sweep/mop)
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Take trash to the designated collection area
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Pick up mail and/or packages from the Commons Desk
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Students in a suite or apartment should also clean shared spaces, including entryways, kitchens, and bathrooms
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Turn off all lights and unplug all electronics and devices (except for the MicroFridge)
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Lock the door and windows.
Step 3: Move-Out then Check-Out
Once you Move-Out, you will need to Check-Out
To complete the move out process, students who are not returning to Penn State for spring semester OR moving to a new room assignment must Check-Out based on their housing area. Failure to complete the Check-Out step may result in a $25 administrative fee.
Instructions Based on Housing Area:
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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.
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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 student parking lots for no more than 20-30 minutes. Hazard lights must be turned on. If you need more time than that, please utilize one of the parking decks.
Carts
Carts will be available to sign out at the Commons Desk. Please return the cart to the commons desk within the allotted timeframe.
Move-Out Steps: End of Fall Semester
Step 1: Schedule Departure
At the end of the fall semester, all students need to Schedule Departure (link to be added). Late stays beyond the 4 p.m. closing time are not permitted.
Step 2: Clean Your Room
Please clean the room before departure. This will ensure that you return to a fresh space for spring semester.
-
Remove all open or perishable items and clean the Microfridge; keep the unit plugged in, turned on, and doors closed
-
Take home or throw away any open food containers in the room
-
Keep items off floors unless in plastic bins
-
Clean floor (vacuum or sweep/mop)
-
Take trash to the designated collection area
-
Pick up mail and/or packages from the Commons Desk
-
Students in a suite or apartment should also clean shared spaces, including entryways, kitchens, and bathrooms
-
Turn off all lights and unplug all electronics and devices (except for the MicroFridge)
-
Lock the door and windows.
Step 3: Move-Out then Check-Out
Students who are returning to the same room assignment for spring semester are not required to complete step 3, Move-Out then Check-Out.
Once you Move-Out, you will need to Check-Out
To complete the move out process, students who are not returning to Penn State for spring semester OR moving to a new room assignment must Check-Out based on their housing area. Failure to complete the Check-Out step may result in a $25 administrative fee.
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 student parking lots for no more than 20-30 minutes. Hazard lights must be turned on. If you need more time than that, please utilize one of the parking decks.
Carts
Carts will be available to sign out at the Commons Desk. Please return the cart to the commons desk within the allotted timeframe.
Spring Semester Room Assignment
Room Vacancy
Students who have an expected vacancy in their room for spring semester will be assigned a new roommate; a roommate may be assigned during December, before the break begins, or in January, before students return to campus. Students who expect a vacancy in their room need to create a welcoming space leaving at the end of the semester. All furniture should be moved back to its original location and personal belongings should be condensed to one side of the room.
During the break, Housing Operations staff will enter rooms with a vacancy to clean and prepare for the new student.
Students With Same Room Assignment For Spring Semester
Students returning to the same room assignment for the spring semester do NOT need to completely move out and can leave personal belongings in the room. Students returning to the same room will be automatically checked out at the end of the Fall semester.
It is recommended that essentials (books, laptop, mobile devices, IDs, medications, etc.) and valuable items be taken home during the break. Housing Operations staff will enter all rooms during the break to confirm that the cleaning instructions listed above have been followed.
Students returning to the same room assignment do not need to check out when leaving for winter break.
Students With Different Room Assignment for Spring Semester
Students who are assigned to a new room assignment for spring semester need to Move-Out and Check-Out of their fall room assignment prior to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21.
Most likely, students' new spring semester room assignment will NOT be available to access before the end of the fall semester, as students are assigned and need to complete the Move-Out then Check-Out process.
New Room Assignment Storage
The area Housing Operations may offer a storage solution, where items can be stored prior to end of fall semester and retrieved in the spring semester. Use of storage is at the student's risk; the University assumes no responsibility for damaged or lost items.
Contact Housing Operations during these times ONLY, they will NOT be available during evening hours, to drop items in the storage area:
- Monday, Dec. 15 - Friday, Dec. 19: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
- Saturday, Dec. 20 - Sunday, Dec. 21: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Storage Pick-up
Housing Operations will provide storage pickup dates and times for when items can be retrieved at beginning of the spring semester. Dates and times WILL BE limited and evening or overnight hours are NOT offered. Students need to plan accordingly (for example, if you arrive at 10:00 p.m., bring linen to use that night if your linen is in storage).
Need a place to store your stuff?
The University has partnered with Storage Squad to provide a storage and shipping solution for students.