Frequently Asked Questions About Living off Campus

A number of local and on-campus resources are available for students experiencing food insecurity. Visit Health and Wellness's page Food Assistance and Other Basic Needs Assistance (login required) to review the help available to you. You can also schedule a meeting with Berklee's case manager/student health liaison to further discuss these resources and determine what might be the best fit for you. 

Looking for off-campus housing in Boston can be challenging, especially if you are searching alone or for the first time. Our team is happy to meet one on one with students to speak in depth about the housing search process and how to navigate it. To set up a meeting with a team member, please email us at housing@berklee.edu. 

Berklee students facing financial difficulties are encouraged to request funding through the Student Emergency Fund. The fund is intended to help students navigate emergencies or unexpected hardship. Funds will be provided as grants and typically range from $250 to $2,000, depending on the need.

Visit Medical Care for Students through Health and Wellness to learn about accessing medical care, including telehealth services, immunizations, and STD testing. 

When trying to make the decision between on- or off-campus housing, we recommend checking out our Getting Started page to learn more about renting in the Boston area. You can also download worksheets to help you identify what you're looking for and compare the costs of your off-campus housing options to what it costs to live on campus. 

When calculating costs, be sure to factor in services and benefits included with on-campus housing, such as maintenance services, internet, proximity to classes and dining, practice rooms, and access to residence hall staff. 

Students who fill out the housing application, pay the prepayment, and are offered housing will be responsible for paying the full amount stated in their contract. The only students permitted to be released from their housing contract are those who are withdrawing from the institution. 

Students who have applied for housing on campus should not sign leases for off-campus housing. 

The public transportation system in Boston is run by the MBTA and is referred to as the "T". It is a network of bus and subway lines that connect all areas of the city. Berklee's campus is within walking distance from a number of T stops. All Berklee students are eligible for a discounted MBTA pass (login required), referred to as a Charlie Card.  

We strongly discourage students from bringing a vehicle to campus as the only available parking is limited and metered. Parking restrictions are strictly enforced.

Off-campus students have the option of purchasing a meal plan through Dining Services. All meal plans are purchased directly online and can be paid for using a credit or debit card. The meal swipes are automatically added to your Berklee card. There are many different meal plans to choose from, and you can always add additional meal swipes to your card later in the semester. Off-campus meal plan options are generally posted several weeks before the start of the new semester. 

Please note that meal plans are not available for the fall 2020 semester.

For more information regarding meal plans, visit berklee.campusdish.com or call 617-747-8964.

Beginning fall 2023, all lockers on campus are overseen by Campus Life. Please email campuslife@berklee.edu for more information. 

Conflict is a normal, healthy, everyday occurence. Successfully resolving conflicts can provide opportunities for growth, development, and learning. Berklee's Office of Community Standards and Conflict Resolution is committed to helping students mediate and resolve interpersonal conflicts while providing students with the skills to succesfully navigate conflicts throughout their lives.

Conflict coaching and mediation sessions are available to students. For more information on these services, please visit the Office of Community Standards and Conflict Resolution website. To request conflict resolution support, please email communitystandards@berklee.edu.