{"id":7785,"date":"2025-07-20T01:14:50","date_gmt":"2025-07-20T05:14:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/commuter-housing\/?page_id=7785"},"modified":"2025-10-17T17:16:01","modified_gmt":"2025-10-17T21:16:01","slug":"graduate-guide","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/commuter-housing\/home\/students\/graduate-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Graduate Commuter & Off-Campus Student Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"

Resources, Support, and Planning<\/h1>

for Life Beyond Campus<\/p><\/div><\/div>

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Apply site-wide<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n\n\n

Graduate students often juggle intense academic expectations, off-campus living, and additional life responsibilities such as work or caregiving. Whether you\u2019re commuting from 5 miles or 50, this guide is designed to help you navigate housing, finances, and campus support as a commuter or off-campus graduate student.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Graduate School Resources<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Academic Calendar<\/h2>

Important dates and deadlines specific to graduate students.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Graduate School Manual<\/h2>

Repository of policies, procedures, and academic regulations.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Graduate Writing Center<\/h2>

Peer tutoring, workshops, and resources for thesis, dissertation, and professional writing.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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New Graduate Student Orientation<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Orientation is open to all incoming Fall graduate students and those who started their studies in the preceding Spring and Summer. This comprehensive Orientation program will give you information and strategies you will need to complete Graduate School successfully and happily. The deans and staff will answer new students\u2019 most frequently asked questions and offer tips on professional skills, funding, and resources. The orientation is in two parts, virtual before you arrive, and in person the day before classes begin.<\/p>\n\n\nExplore<\/a>\n<\/article><\/div><\/section>\n\n\n

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Graduate Student Association (GSA)<\/h2>

Organization offering academic, advocacy, and social support.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Graduate Assistants United (GAU)<\/h2>

Graduate assistant union resources and support.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Professional Development<\/h2>

Career planning, workshops, and networking support.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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Global Gatherings<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

At the International Center you can make friends from other countries, practice a foreign language, and find fun social events.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\nOffice of International Students & Scholars (OISS)<\/a>\n<\/article><\/div><\/section>\n\n

Concerns or Questions<\/h1>\n\n

If you have specific student support<\/a> concerns or questions, you can also contact the Dean’s Office<\/a> in the Graduate School or Student Support and Advocacy Services<\/a>. The Office of Community Standards\/Student Conduct<\/a> may be able to help as well.<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n\n

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Housing tips<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
FUnding<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Family and Life Resources<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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On-Campus Housing Options for Graduate Students<\/h1>\n\n

Graduate students at URI have access to a range of off-campus and university-managed housing options designed to support their academic focus and personal needs. Due to high demand for on-campus spaces, the waiting period can be 6 months or more during peak demand times. They may not guarantee that an apartment will become available for you by a specific date.<\/em><\/strong> <\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/section><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

URI exclusively partners with Off-Campus Partners (a subsidiary of Apartments.com) to offer a database of property offerings for students, faculty, and staff in the immediate area. Listings are continuously updated. This database is separate from the Office of Housing and Residential Life (HRL)<\/a> and Fraternity Managers Association (FMA)<\/a>, where landlords advertise their properties to students, staff, and faculty at the university. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

URI does not verify the accuracy of the listings on the site above and is not responsible for issues related to or arising out of these listings. Further, the university does not investigate or endorse the accuracy of any listings, the quality of the facility, or the individuals, companies, or firms associated with these listings. If you use these services, you do so at your own risk.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

Finding Off-Campus Housing<\/h1>offcampus.housing.uri.edu<\/span><\/div><\/a><\/div><\/section>\n\n\n

For additional housing resources in the area,<\/em> the Graduate Student Association<\/a> has an online bulletin board where people post notices when they are looking for a place to rent, are looking for roommates, or are trying to rent a place that they own. You can view other people\u2019s ads and post your own. <\/p>\n\n\n

GSA Housing List<\/h1>uri.edu\/gsa\/housing-list\/<\/span><\/div><\/a><\/div><\/section>\n\n\n

Rhode Island has a unique housing market. Many housing options near the beaches are available for 9-month academic year rental. In the summer months, the rent for these properties dramatically increases to serve as vacation rentals. Annual leases are more common in regions north of campus, further away from the ocean. Students must often expand their housing search regionally as near-campus rentals are limited. Some students live as far north as Providence and Massachusetts or Connecticut. In expanding your housing search, knowing the region’s transportation resources<\/a> will be important in making a decision that is workable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udca1 Need help understanding your lease or finding roommates? Curious about transportation or dining plans? Check out the Resources below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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universal toolkit of resources<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
get ready to live off-campus<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Near Campus Options<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Below are options near the Kingston campus to consider. These may also be listed on offcampus.housing.uri.edu<\/a> but may be worth monitoring if near-campus housing is desired.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Greek Housing<\/h2>

Greek Housing is run privately by national organizations; if they have space, they often take in borders not affiliated with the Greek chapter.<\/p><\/div><\/div>

learn More<\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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International Engineering LLC<\/h2>

The Heidi Kirk Duffy Center for International Education includes two neighboring houses\u2013the John Grandin IEP House and the Texas Instrument House\u2013known as IEP House and TI House.<\/p><\/div><\/div>

learn more<\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Eldred Farm Campus Cottages<\/h2>

Eldred Farm is a neighborhood of 7 homes adjacent to the Kingston campus. They feature 2, 3, 4 or 5 bedroom homes.<\/p><\/div><\/div>

learn more<\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Lower College Road Realty<\/h2>

Conveniently located on Lower College Road in walking distance to the entrance of URI’s Kingston Campus. Steps away from the RIPTA 64 or 66 Bus Line stop on the corner of Lower College Road and Bayberry Road<\/p><\/div><\/div>

learn more<\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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North Village Condominiums<\/h2>

The URI townhouses are conveniently located at 58 Fortin Rd, directly behind the Alumni Center and Dunkin Donuts on top of campus. They are only 125 yards to the Quad and student classrooms, as well as being across the street from the Emporium, a collection of shops and eateries.<\/p><\/div><\/div>

learn more<\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Summer Housing in the Traditional Residence Halls<\/h1>\n\n

Graduate students who meet the eligibility requirements can live in the residence halls (Kingston campus) over the summer. More information can be found at https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/housing\/apply\/summer-housing\/<\/a>. Please note that a meal plan is not required during the summer months. Kitchen facilities are available in the on-campus housing used during the summer.<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n

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Land Acknowledgment<\/h1>

We acknowledge that we gather as the University of Rhode Island on the traditional land of the Niantic and Narragansett people in past and present, and honor with gratitude the land itself and the people who have stewarded it throughout the generations. This calls us to commit to continuing to learn how to be better stewards of the land we inhabit as well.<\/p><\/div>

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Housing tips<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
FUnding<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Family and Life Resources<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Notice about Stipends<\/h1>\n\n

Stipends are intended to pay for basic living expenses for a single student (no dependents) to meet their basic needs (housing, utilities, food). It is unlikely that students will be able to support others or save while earning a stipend. Students may find it instructive to review the living wage calculator for our location while making housing decisions: https:\/\/livingwage.mit.edu\/counties\/44009<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n\n

Graduate students who live off campus, whether commuting from nearby towns, balancing jobs, or supporting families, face unique financial pressures. URI offers flexible and accessible funding options to help you succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Assistantships & Campus Employment<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Assistantships\n(GA, TA, RA)<\/h2>

These paid, part-time campus roles often include tuition coverage and a stipend. GAs work 10\u201320 hours\/week, making them ideal for students balancing school, work, and commuting.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Graduate Assistants United (GAU)<\/h2>

Represents and negotiates for graduate assistants. GAU ensures fair pay, workload protections, and includes subsidized health insurance\u2014key for students living independently or off campus.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Professional \/ Community Development<\/h2>

URI’s career platform lists flexible student jobs that can be scheduled around your commute or evening classes.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

State-Based Grant & Scholarship Programs<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n