All full-time students attending classes on Mayflower Hill are required to live in College-owned residential facilities for the entirety of their enrollment at Colby College, except when granted permission, in writing, through official off-campus housing processes administered by the Office of Residential Experience.
Per the Colby College Student Handbook, students with a room assignment [all students expected to live on campus] may not simultaneously hold an off-campus lease; students must occupy their on-campus room assignment as their full-time living space during the academic semester unless they are approved for off-campus housing.
While Colby College has the Alfond Main St. Commons residence hall in downtown Waterville, the College does not consider it “off-campus housing.”
Instead, Off-Campus Housing is defined as student-leased properties that are non-Colby-owned.
These properties may be in Waterville or the greater Waterville area.
Colby College reviews the feasibility of off-campus housing annually.
Decisions on off-campus housing approval are made on a year-to-year basis, and future consideration of the option is not guaranteed during any given year.
Students and families should refrain from signing a lease without first obtaining approval from the College through the designated processes administered by the Office of Residential Experience.
Consideration for off-campus housing will only be made during designated processes and timelines administered by the Office of Residential Experience.
The Off-Campus Housing process is available only to rising junior and senior students (as confirmed by the Registrar’s Office) who intend to live off-campus and attend classes at Colby for the full academic year.
The College does not accept requests for off-campus housing for the spring semester only. Students returning to the College for the spring semester (e.g. leave of absence return, return from study abroad experiences, etc.) will be expected to live on campus upon their return.
Students and families should refrain from signing a lease without first receiving official approval from the College through designated processes.
Signing a lease or a rental agreement with a landlord does not guarantee that a student will be released from College housing.
Students should not sign a lease until they receive written approval after submission of the Off-Campus Housing Intent Form.
Signing a rental agreement in advance of being released is a significant financial and legal risk which is borne solely by the student and/or parents/guardians.
The deadline for submitting the Off-Campus Housing Intent Form is 11:55PM (EST) on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.
The deadline for submitting lease information through the designated Off-Campus Resident/Lease Information Form is 11:55PM (EST) on Friday, May 1, 2026. If the Office of Residential Experience does not receive the completed Off-Campus Resident/Lease Information Form by the May 1 deadline, then the student will be assigned on-campus housing during the summer.
The Off-Campus Housing Application Process is available only to students who intend to live off-campus and attend classes at Colby for the FULL 2026-2027 academic year.
Off-Campus Housing will not be approved for students seeking Off-Campus Housing for only the Spring 2027 semester (i.e. students returning from fall study abroad experiences seeking to live off-campus upon their return).
Each student must INDIVIDUALLY complete THEIR OWN intent to be considered and approved. Please note, this is a multiple-page form complete with information collection and sharing sections. The last section of this form allows students to indicate possible roommates/housemates.
Off-campus housing will be limited to 110 total students for the 2026-2027 academic year.
To be considered for approval for off-campus housing, each student must INDIVIDUALLY complete THEIR OWN intent application.
Please note, this is a multiple page form complete with information collection and sharing sections. The last section of this form allows students to indicate possible roommates/housemates.
To complete the Application Process, students must:
THEN, complete the “2026-2027 Off Campus Intent Form Application.”
Off-campus housing will be limited to 100 total students for the 2026-2027 academic year.
The Office of Residential Experience will review Intent Application submissions regularly to confirm eligibility and provide final approval.
Students approved to live off-campus will forfeit their ability to participate in any and all on-campus housing selection processes. This includes, but is not limited to the processes for the Alfond Main St. Commons (Civic Engagement), Senior Year/Independent Living residence halls, the new Mayflower Hill Residence Hall, and the General Housing Selection Process.
If a student’s plan to reside off-campus does not materialize, they may be eligible to be included in the General Housing Selection Process. Eligibility will be determined by the date on which the Office of Residential Experience is officially notified of the withdrawal of the off-campus intent. If notified after selection times have been released, the student will then be assigned housing by the Office of Residential Experience during the summer.
If a student changes plans to live on campus after Housing Selection but before the start of the academic year, regardless of the reason for the change, the student will be assigned housing by the Office of Residential Experience.
Students are not guaranteed the ability to live off-campus. Students should not sign a lease until they receive written approval.
Signing a rental agreement with a landlord does not guarantee that a student will be released from College housing. Signing a rental agreement before approval is granted is a significant financial and legal risk borne solely by the student and/or parents/guardians. Students will be held responsible for all financial obligations associated with the Colby College comprehensive fee and any signed lease agreement.
When signing a lease, please ensure it does not include any portion of the 2027-2028 academic year and that it ends no later than August 31, 2027.
It is important for students to review their lease carefully before signing. A landlord is responsible for providing the tenant with a safe and habitable residence, including compliance with life safety code requirements and other regulations. Colby has no responsibility for the condition or safety of a dwelling a student leases on their own from a third party. Students should also become familiar with their rights as tenants. We encourage review of a Renters’ Rights provided by the State of Maine.
Students living off-campus will abide by all College rules and policies regarding student conduct outlined in the Student Handbook.
Students living off-campus will abide by all applicable laws (local, state, federal), especially those regarding noise, alcohol, and parties. Students living off-campus will attend any mandatory meetings sponsored by the College and/or law enforcement agencies regarding off-campus living. Off-campus students are encouraged to review the city/town website for specific information such as local services, parking, trash collection, recycling, etc. For students living in the greater Waterville community, it is important to be aware of City Ordinances. Resources regarding laws and ordinances can be found in the Helpful Resources section below.
Living off-campus is a privilege. Approval to live off-campus can be revoked by the Office of Residential Experience or the Dean of Students Office or their designee should a review of a student’s overall Community Values history at any time suggest that living off-campus may not be the best option for the student or for the off-campus community. Approval to live off-campus can be revoked by the Office of the Residential Experience or the Dean of Students Office or their designee should the student not complete all of the requirements by the appropriate deadlines, including but not limited to submission of lease information.
The College is not responsible for any financial commitments or losses related to a student’s off-campus rental, including but not limited to if their off-campus approval is revoked for failure to meet the contract obligations. The College is also not responsible for any financial commitments or losses related ot a student’s off-campus rental in the event that members of the off-campus group “break” their lease and/or vacate their lease for reasons including but not limited to off-campus studies, graduation, leave of absence, etc. or students taking on additional financial responsibilities of the lease. The College is not obligated to consider or approve additional off-campus students in order to satisfy or support the financial commitments of existing student leases.
Students approved to live off-campus will receive a tuition reduction. The reduction amount is determined each spring in conjunction with confirmation of the comprehensive fee. Reductions will show as an adjustment on the financial statement for each semester. Students with specific questions about the adjustment should contact Student Financial Services ([email protected], 207-859-4132).
Students living in approved off-campus housing (non-Colby-owned, student-leased) are automatically enrolled in the 100-swipe meal plan.
There is no option for a student to be completely removed from a College meal plan.
Students may opt for and be billed for the full (21 meals per week) meal plan by contacting Student Financial Services.
Students with specific questions about the financial adjustment should contact Student Financial Services ([email protected], 207-859-4132).
Per Colby College parking policies, students parking on the Colby College campus must register their vehicle with Colby College Security. Please see the Parking Information on the Colby Security website (https://life.colby.edu/your-safety/campus-safety/parking/https://www.colby.edu/securitydept/parking-information/) for additional information and regulations.
Students who live on or near the established Colby shuttle route are encouraged to utilize the shuttle service. Colby Shuttle or Jitney services to off-campus apartments outside of established routes are not available, except in extenuating circumstances.
All students residing off-campus must maintain a current local address and phone number with the College and the Office of Residential Experience. This supports student safety and College awareness in the event of student need.
Redfin offers a comprehensive website devoted to College students interested in leasing property during or after College.
Resources include:
Legal topics associated to rental housing are made available through Pine Tree Legal Assistance.
Additionally, information about Consumer Rights When Your Rent an Apartment are made available through the Office of the Maine Attorney General.
Students should familiarize themselves with the city/town ordinances where their property is located.
Waterville City Ordinances can be found here.
The City of Waterville uses the CivicPlus Mass Notification Solution to send emergency alerts and other notifications.
Subscribers can register to receive emergency alerts and other notifications via phone call, text message, and/or email.
Examples of messages sent through Waterville Alerts:
Learn more and sign-up to receive notifications by visiting the Waterville Alerts website.
No, please do not complete the Off-Campus Housing Intent Form.
The Alfond Main St. Commons is considered an on-campus residence hall. You should complete the appropriate application in the Colby Housing Portal for this community.
When you complete the Off-Campus Housing Intent Form and receive approval, you will forfeit your ability to participate in any and all on-campus housing selection processes.
Yes, students are not guaranteed the ability to live off-campus. Students should not sign a lease until they receive written approval.
Signing a rental agreement with a landlord does not guarantee that a student will be released from College housing. Signing a rental agreement before approval is granted is a significant financial and legal risk borne solely by the student and/or parents/guardians. Students will be held responsible for all financial obligations associated with the Colby College comprehensive fee and any signed lease agreement.
A maximum of 110 students will be approved to live off-campus for the 2026-2027 academic year.
No, the Off-Campus Housing Process is available only to rising junior and senior class year students.
No, the Off-Campus Housing process is available only to rising junior and senior students (as confirmed by the Registrar’s Office) who intend to live off-campus and attend classes at Colby for the full academic year.
The College does not accept requests for off-campus housing for the spring semester only. Students returning to the College for the spring semester (e.g. leave of absence return, return from study abroad experiences, etc.) will be expected to live on campus upon their return.
No. When signing a lease, please ensure it does not include any portion of the 2027-2028 academic year and that it ends no later than August 31, 2027.
Colby College reviews the feasibility of off-campus housing annually.
Decisions on off-campus housing approval are made on a year-to-year basis, and future consideration of the option is not guaranteed during any given year.
Yes, students approved to live off-campus will forfeit their ability to participate in any and all on-campus housing selection processes. This includes, but is not limited to the processes for the Alfond Main St. Commons (Civic Engagement), Senior Year/Independent Living residence halls, the new Mayflower Hill Residence Hall, and the General Housing Selection Process.
If a student’s plan to reside off-campus does not materialize, they may be eligible to be included in the General Housing Selection Process. Eligibility will be determined by the date on which the Office of Residential Experience is officially notified of the withdrawal of the off-campus intent. If notified after selection times have been released, the student will then be assigned housing by the Office of Residential Experience during the summer.
If a student changes plans to live on campus after Housing Selection but before the start of the academic year, regardless of the reason for the change, the student will be assigned housing by the Office of Residential Experience.
No, each student must INDIVIDUALLY complete THEIR OWN intent to be considered and approved.
Yes, approved Off-Campus students may access the same resources as on-campus residents, including campus dining facilities, the Harold Alfond Athletics and Recreation Center, and campus activities and events.
The Office of Residential Experience does not currently maintain or provide a list of apartments or landlords.
Students and families should use trusted resources to find and secure off-campus housing.
