How does University Student Housing (USH) differ from regular WCU housing?

Affiliated Housing, operated by University Student Housing, LLC (USH), a division of the WCU Foundation, consists of four housing communities located on the West Chester University campus. There are three residence halls - Allegheny Hall, Brandywine Hall, and University Hall and one garden-style apartment community, The Village. The projects are managed as a partnership between West Chester University and USH. University Student Housing is responsible for the day-to-day management of the communities, including signing up and assigning students, as well as all facility-related issues. The University, however, hires, trains and supervises the Residence Life staff (resident assistants and professional staff) for each location and handles all student-related issues. Rent and any housing related fees are billed separately by USH and are not included on the West Chester University invoice.

Where are USH communities located?

Our off-campus garden-style apartment community, The Village, is located on WCU's South Campus at 181 Carey Drive West Chester, PA 19382 just south of the Main Campus off of South New Street and across from the Football stadium. Allegheny Hall, Brandywine Hall and University Hall are all on WCU's Main Campus (North Campus.)

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Can you give me general Information about the communities?

To review floor plans, suite styles, rates and available amenities for each or our communities please select either the Rates & Plans or Amenities tab located on the specific community home page. You may also visit the leasing office at any one of our communities.

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How does renting work with a USH community?

Residents of USH communities must sign a Housing Occupancy Agreement (HOA), an individual leasing agreement that covers their assigned bedroom space and any common space shared with other occupants. Residents, however, are only responsible for the terms specified in their own agreement and will not be held responsible for unpaid rent or any individually incurred fees by roommates. The term length of the HOA varies depending on the USH community. For the 2010 - 2011 school year, the term of the HOA for Allegheny Hall, Brandywine Hall and University Hall will begin on [DATE] and end on [DATE]. For The Village, the term begins on [DATE] and ends on [DATE]. Occupants are required to move-in and move-out on these dates respectively.

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What utilities are included in the rent?

All utilities are included in the rent except landline telephone service. Utilities included are electric, water, sewage, waste removal, cable television, and Ethernet service.

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If I sign up for a USH community, will I be billed by the University?

No. The leasing agreement is between the resident and University Student Housing. The housing invoice will not appear on the student's university account. USH will bill residents separately.

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What are the payment options for USH communities?

There are three payment options. Residents may pay by semester, year or utilize our temporary installment plan if they are on Financial Aid and have submitted the proper documentation to USH. Semester payments are due August 1st and January 1st unless modified by USH. Keys will not be distributed to residents at the start of the school year unless payment is made by August 1st.

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Can I pay online?

Yes. You may use Visa or Master Card to make online payments. You can access this option through the Work Order/Pay On-Line tab located on the USH website main page at http://www.wcuhousing.com/ or at your specific USH community web page.

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Can Financial Aid be used to pay the rent?

Absolutely. It is the responsibility of the student, however, to secure enough financial aid through loans, grants, and scholarships to cover the cost of housing in addition to tuition, meal plans or other University fees the student intends to pay with financial aid. Financial aid awards can vary from year to year, so students are encouraged to calculate their needs and apply for aid well in advance of the start of the school year. Please note that financial aid goes directly to the University's Financial Aid Office and is not dispersed to USH. After tuition, meal plans and other University fees are deducted; the remainder of the aid is refunded directly to the student. It is with this refund that the resident can pay off the USH housing balance.

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When financial aid is awarded, will the University apply those funds to pay off my USH housing bill?

No. Financial aid goes directly to the University's Financial Aid Office and is not dispersed to USH. After the University takes out the appropriate amount for tuition, meal plan, and other fees, the student will receive the remainder of the financial aid in the form of a refund check which can be used to pay off the housing balance.

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What do I do if USH payment is due, but I don't have my Financial Aid refund check yet?

USH understands that some students on financial aid may not receive their aid refund until after the start of the school year. While housing costs are billed on a semester basis and due August 1st and January 1st of each school year, USH has developed a program to permit certified financial aid recipients to pay monthly installments until they receive their financial aid refund from the University. For more information about this program and the documentation needed to qualify, please see our Financial Aid Policy. Please note that financial aid goes directly to the University's Financial Aid Office and is not dispersed to USH. After tuition, meal plans and other University fees are deducted; the remainder of the aid is refunded directly to the student. It is with this refund that the resident can pay off the USH housing balance.

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What happens if I want to cancel my Housing Occupancy Agreement?

Once a Housing Occupancy Agreement (HOA) has been signed and returned to the leasing office, it cannot be canceled unless certain stipulations are met, namely: 1) The Contract Release Authorization Form is completed and signed; 2) A $200.00 non-refundable fee is paid; and, 3) A suitable individual is identified to assume the lease, signed the HOA and tendered the appropriate payment. It is the occupant's responsibility to find a person to take over the remaining balance of their HOA. The HOA is a legally binding agreement. Once signed and submitted to USH, the student is bound to the terms of the agreement and will not be released from their leasing obligations for, including but not limited to, any of the following: transfer to another institituion, judicial actions requiring the permanent or temporary loss of student housing, voluntary withdraw from the University, graduation or relocation to another residence. If you wish to cancel your HOA, please notify a USH Community Manager or a designated Leasing Agent directly.

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Am I required to have a meal plan?

Students living on North Campus are required to sign up for a meal plan. This includes residents of Allegheny Hall, Brandywine Hall and University Hall. Meal plans are optional for students living at The Village. Meal plan billing for all students will be processed via the student's university account.

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Will there be RAs in the building?

Yes, the University's Office of Residence Life and Housing Services will oversee student-related issues and activities in all of the USH communities.

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Do the same University rules and regulations apply at USH communities?

Absolutely. All WCU rules and regulations apply at USH communities, including the Student Code of Conduct.

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No pets are permitted at USH communities. Violations of this policy will result in fines of $200.00 per incident.

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Is there transportation available from The Village to North Campus?

Yes. There is a shuttle that runs directly between The Village and North Campus each day the University is in session from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. Shuttle hours vary during weekends and summer months. Schedules are posted at The Village Clubhouse or you can ask your RA.

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How do you match roommates?

When applying to a USH community, all applicants are required to fill out a roommate matching form. This form asks important questions about lifestyle preferences to assist USH in the roommate matching process. The more honest applicants are in filling out the form, the better the chances of a compatible match. Applicants can also request specific roommates that also intend to reside in the same community. While every effort is made to accommodate requests and match students appropriately, we do not guarantee matches or roommate placement.

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When will we receive room assignments?

Room assignments, along with roommate information and move in day information will be sent out during the month of July. It is not necessary for you to call and request this information.

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What happens if I have a disagreement or conflict with my roommate?

The WCU Residence Life staff is available to assist in roommate mediation to help resolve any conflicts that arise between roommates. If mediation is unsuccessful, occupants may also request a transfer that may be granted depending on room availability and at the discretion of USH. A $200.00 transfer fee is also required.

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