Cost, location and amenities are three housing factors students will be able to explore at the Housing Fair on Wednesday.
The Housing Fair is a biannual event designed to help students transition between on-campus and off-campus living opportunities. It will be hosted from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Great Hall of the Memorial Union.
Megan Moore, a marketing specialist for the Memorial Union, said there will be 35 participating vendors, ranging from property managers to various Iowa State departments.
“There is an entire network of resources and support available to students,” Moore said. “We have a plethora of folks that students can seek to have assistance from if they ever need it.”
Legal Aid of Story County will be in attendance, but also, Student Legal Services, located on the sixth floor of the Memorial Union.
“[Student Legal Services] is our campus resource for legal advice for students,” Moore said. “Whether it’s a lease or a contract or anything that students would need, beyond what a property manager can provide, they would be able to provide free advice for.”
The financial aid office will be providing budgeting information, helpful for students who are transitioning from paying by semester for on-campus housing to monthly rent.
“That transition from paying your living costs on your U-Bill to a monthly budget is a big transition itself, so they can help you create a monthly budget to prepare,” Moore said.
Moore said that the timing of the event comes right as student leases are up for renewal and is a good place for students looking to move off campus to start.
“This fall event is really nice with lease renewals and on-campus contracts coming up for renewal,” Moore said. “This way you can make that informed decision and you’re not rushing, or forget to do it, and all of a sudden realize you don’t have housing for next year.”
Students can come better prepared for the event by bringing their student ID as well as any questions for event vendors, Moore explained.
“Come prepared with questions that you might have for a certain vendor, because this is your chance to ask all those questions of people, so that you can make a well-educated decision,” Moore said.
To see a full list of participating vendors, visit the Housing Fair event page on the Student Engagement website.
“All around, I think it’s a great tool for us to reach students and to help them make that decision a little smoother so they can be successful at Iowa State,” Moore said.
