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Housing

Temporary Housing upon Arrival

There are a few hotels near Gannon ranging in cost from $69.00-$100.00 per night which you may book in advance or once you have arrived for the days before, during, and after the mandatory International Student Orientation.

ISO may be able to set you in contact with fellow international students willing to host you for a few nights, but we can not guarantee this. Keep in mind that when planning financially for your studies, you should figure in the cost of temporary housing just after your arrival until you can decide on permanent housing.

For more information on local Hotels, visit the Erie Area Convention Visitor's Bureau website.

Permanent Housing throughout the Year

Gannon University reserves most of its on-campus housing for undergraduates students who are required to live on campus in their first through fourth semesters, if they do not qualify for an exception (these exceptions are listed on the Student Living Web site.) Due to maintenance requirements, considerations of security, etc., University housing does not open each semester until just a few days before classes begin. Those undergraduates arriving several days (or weeks!) before classes begin, but who will live on campus, must plan for temporary housing. Please write to the ISO if you require assistance planning for temporary housing.

Generally speaking, the University does not offer any on-campus graduate student housing, so graduate students usually live in apartments near campus, either alone or often with other students in order to share costs and responsibilities. Students rent from private individuals and property management firms. Apartment rent ranges from $400-$600 a month in Erie, but may or may not include the cost of utilities (heat, gas/electric, water, etc.).

Searching for an apartment
You may begin your search from your home country, but you are strongly cautioned from entering into a lease or contract before you have arrived in Erie and can personally inspect the property. There are number of online resources to accommodate your search, including www.GoErie.com.

Once in Erie, you can refer to publications such as the Erie Times newspaper, the Gannon Knight (student newspaper), or the Erie Apartment Rental Guide. You may also be able to locate an apartment by walking through the neighborhoods near campus and calling the phone numbers displayed on signs near apartment buildings with vacant apartments. You may also find contacting a local realtor or property management representative, as well as, seeking advice from classmates or faculty and staff.

PLEASE NOTE: Although the International Student Office provides information about off-campus dwellings, Gannon University has not inspected any of these properties nor does the University take any responsibility for the facilities listed in brochures available in the ISO.

Some questions to ask when looking for an apartment:

• What is included in the cost of the rent? Does the rent fee include gas, electric, water, garbage, etc?

• Is the apartment furnished?

• How is the apartment heated and what is the usual cost for heat in the winter? It can be very cold in Erie in the winter time. Therefore, heat can be a big expense for students.

• Do you have to sign a lease? A lease is an agreement between you, the renter, and the landlord (building owner), which states how long you will live in the building, the cost, etc. A lease is a legally binding agreement. If you sign a lease to live in an apartment for one year, you are expected to live there one year. If you "break the lease" (i.e., move out early), you will usually have to pay a penalty. This penalty may be 2 months rent or you may even be asked to pay for the entire duration of the lease. Be very careful about what you are signing and make sure you understand what your are agreeing to.

• Is there a parking area?

• How close is the apartment to Gannon? Remember the sidewalks will be snowy and icy in the wintertime. Five blocks may not be too far to walk in August, but how will that feel in January?!

• Is the building secure? Do the doors lock?

If you think you have found an apartment that looks good but are not certain, please feel free to ask the International Student Office for guidance.