Welcome to the University of Maryland! We're glad to have you as a new Terp.  This page is designed to provide you with valuable information to guide you in your off-campus housing search.

The following information will guide you as you learn what it means to live off-campus at the University of Maryland, how to find housing that suits your individual needs, find roommates, and how to have a positive experience, both academically and socially.

As a New Freshman student, you are eligible for and will have the highest priority for, but are not guaranteed, residence hall housing beginning Spring 2009. If you are interested in living on campus in the Spring semester, you should request housing NOW using the uga.umd.edu site or by returning the housing and meals portion of the Maryland Planner that you received along with your notice of admission as a New Freshman student for Spring 2009.  The sooner you do this, the stronger your chances are for securing on-campus housing in the Spring 2008 semester.

NEW! Frequently Asked Questions about Freshmen Connection Housing

OCH101: This online service offers a searchable database of area housing available to students. 

Off-Campus Housing in Eight Easy Steps: This handout provides the essential steps in finding off-campus housing.  From determining a budget to signing a lease, this is an easy-to-follow guide as you begin your off-campus housing search.

Living Off-Campus: Strategies for Success: Created especially for Freshman Connection students, this serves as a guide for tenants: their responsibilities and rights and how to positively communicate with landlords and roommates.

Housing Search Checklist: This provides a detailed checklist for things you should consider before, during and after your housing search.

Security Checklist: This checklist offers a number of considerations about safety and security measures for housing units.  Use this when inspecting potential rentals.

Safety Tips: Provides advice about safety precautions for property and yourself.

Fire Safety Questions: Twenty essential questions to ask before signing a rental agreement.

Lease-Signing Checklist: Provides an overview of terms that should be addressed in a lease, including time of occupancy, repairs and any special considerations.

Understanding Leases: Guide to understanding provisions of leases in the state of Maryland; includes fees, moving out procedures and how to handle conflicts.

Local Area Profiles: This handout details the communities close to the university, transportation options and benefits of living in them.

Interactive Apartment Map: View more than 100 apartment communities near the university. Also includes links to apartments' websites.

Apartments on Shuttle-UM: List of 60 apartment communities on Shuttle-UM routes.

Roommate Finder: Online service allowing students to post a profile of themselves and search the profiles of other students who are looking for roommates. Those listed here do not yet have housing.  When creating your profile, select "Freshman Connection" in the Occupation field.

Roommate Guide: Publication designed to assist in the off-campus living experience by offering helpful tips about living with roommates. Includes how to establish ground rules, communicate effectively, and resolve conflicts.

University Resources: List of pertinent phone numbers and resources for various university departments.

Furniture Rental and Sales: Local vendors for affordable furniture.

Getting to Shopping: List of area malls and shopping centers, as well as public transportation directions for each.

Off-Campus Student Involvement: Off-Campus Student Involvement (OCSI) provides services to support and enhance the educational experience of ALL students who live off-campus. This is achieved through social, educational, informational, and developmental programs to help students get connected to campus, discover involvement and leadership opportunities, and learn more about campus life.

Department of Transportation Services: Department of Transportation Services (DOTS) provides information about parking permits, Shuttle-UM, carpooling, paratransit services and much more.

Dining Services: Find information about eating plans such as Terrapin Express, restaurant locations and other information about eating on campus.

This page last updated:

UPDATE: Off-Campus Housing Services has confirmed from University View management that University View is not housing Freshmen Connection students for the Fall 2008 semester.

TIP! In Roommate Finder, you can select "Freshmen Connection" as an option in the Occupation field. By searching on this criteria, you will see only Freshmen Connection profiles.