Housing Information for Parents & Families

Housing Selection & Assignments

We take great care in our housing selection and assignment processes to ensure that on-campus living is a welcoming and supportive experience for all students. Incoming new students are assigned to housing based upon the preferences they indicate in their Housing Application, and returning students have the autonomy select their housing assignment from available options. We encourage you to follow up with your student to ensure they are participating in their housing selection process for the upcoming year and meeting all relevant deadlines.

New Student Process Timelines:

• Fall Semester Admits:  Housing Contract and Application available in May and due in June; assignments communicated in July
• Spring Semester Admits:  Housing Contract and Application available in November and due in December; assignments communicated in late December

Click here to learn more about New Student Housing Assignments

Returning Student Process Timelines:

• Fall Semester (most students):  Sign the Housing Contract and register roommates in February; select housing assignment in March
• Spring Semester (students returning from fall abroad or leave of absence):  Sign the Housing Contract and indicate roommates/preferences in November; housing assignments communicated in December

Click here to learn more about Returning Student Housing Selection

Residence Hall Openings & Closings

Bentley's residence halls open for the fall semester in late August / early September, and close at the conclusion of the semester in December. For the spring semester, halls open in January and close in May. Specific dates for each year will be provided to students in both their Housing Contract and via email. We encourage you to ask your student about these dates so you can ensure that their travel plans to and from campus align with our opening/closing dates.

Residential students are welcome to be in their housing assignment for the duration of each semester, including over shorter breaks such as Fall Break, Thanksgiving Break, and Spring Break. However, the residence halls are closed for Winter Break (between fall and spring semesters) and for the summer. Students with a demonstrated need to remain on campus during winter or summer may request to sign up for housing during those periods at an additional cost (see "Summer and Winter Housing" section below).

For more information about each semester's opening and closing processes, please visit the pages below:

• Fall Opening & Move-In (August/September)
• Fall Closing & Move-Out (December)
• Spring Opening & Move-In (January)
• Spring Closing & Move-Out (May)

Canceling Housing

Sometimes plans change, and we get it. That's why we have a process in place for students to cancel their on-campus housing if they no longer plan to live here (such as deciding to commute from home, live in an off-campus apartment, or transfer to another school).

To cancel their housing, students must complete the Contract Release Form in the Housing Portal. Students who submit that form by the June deadline (June 5, 2025, for the fall 2025 semester) will be automatically released from the Housing Contract without review or penalty. Students who submit after the deadline will be subject to review and, if approved, may be subject to a cancellation fee.

Students will receive an email about how to complete this form after their housing assignment is confirmed. If your student is planning to cancel their on-campus housing, we encourage you to speak with them about it to ensure they are aware of the deadline and are prepared to submit their form on time.

Summer and Winter Housing

Students with a need for housing during summer or winter can request to live on campus during those times. In order to live on campus during summer or winter, a student must be taking a course at Bentley, working an on-campus job at Bentley, or working at a job or internship in the local area. Summer housing requires students to move out of their main academic year housing assignments and into a specific building for the summer; during winter housing, students remain in their academic year housing assignments.

Students will be able to apply for summer housing in April, and winter housing in November/December. They will receive an email with more information about the application process and costs at that time. Please note that summer and winter housing are not included in fall/spring room and board costs, and students will receive a separate charge for these housing periods. If your student has a need to stay on campus during summer or winter, we encourage you to discuss the application process and housing cost with them.

For more information, please visit the pages below:

• Summer Housing
• Winter Housing

Submitting a Work Order

We pride ourselves in the quality of our housing options, but sometimes things stop working properly. Fortunately, our wonderful Facilities team is available to help! Students having a problem with their room (overhead light goes out, furniture breaks, appliance stops working, etc.) are able to put in an online work order, and then a maintenance technician will come to their room to fix the issue. If your student talks to you about a problem with their room, we encourage you to ask them if they have submitted a work order, as that will be the first step to getting it fixed.

Students can access the online work order system here.

Please note that emergency issues, especially after business hours, should be directed to University Police at 781-891-3131.

Roommate Issues & Room Changes

If your student is experiencing difficulty living with their roommate, the first step is for them to speak with their Resident Assistant (RA). These are student leaders who are trained in conflict mediation and resolution, and they can help your student and their roommate find ways to live together successfully. The RA lives on your student's floor / in their building, and students should reach out to them with any concerns they may have. If needed, the RA will also connect with their Residence Director (RD) regarding the situation. The RD is a professional staff member who lives on campus and is responsible for oversight of a residence hall; they will be able to assist with the mediation and/or coordinate a room change if necessary.

Our team is dedicated to helping students find the housing option that best fits their needs, based on what availability we have on campus. If your student would like to explore possibilities for a room change, they should contact their Residence Director. For more information about how to contact them, please click here.

We encourage you to ask if your student if they have gotten to know their RA and RD. These staff members are valuable resources for your student not only during roommate conflicts, but also to help them get involved in the campus community and answer any housing questions they may have.

Laundry

Each residence hall or complex has a laundry room with washers and dryers for students to use. Students are responsible for bringing their own detergent and any other laundry supplies. Students will use the LaundryConnect™ app to start the machines, and they will be able to pay for each wash and dry cycle through the app. This app also allows students to see which machines are in use or available before walking to the laundry room. Instructions for using the app and the washers/dryers are posted on the wall of each laundry room.

Mail Services

Students can receive mail and packages to Bentley's Mail Room, which is located in the ground floor of Collins Hall. Students will need to pick up mail/packages at the mail room, as we do not offer delivery to their specific residence hall. Click here for more information about the Mail Room and their services.

If you would like to send your student something in the mail, please use this address format:

[Write Student's First and Last Name Here] - STUDENT
Bentley University
175 Forest Street
Waltham, MA 02452-4705

On-Campus Dining

Dining is an important part of campus life, and the Bentley Dining team is committed to providing nutritious, accessible, and inclusive dining experiences for our students. We offer multiple dining locations on campus to provide plenty of options from a quick snack to a full meal.

Our meal plans are designed to provide students with a combination of swipes for our main dining hall and discretionary money for use at our other dining locations.

•    Block 304 includes 304 swipes plus $350 discretionary
•    Block 240 includes 240 swipes plus $375 discretionary
•    Block 192 includes 192 swipes plus $425 discretionary
•    Block 20 includes 20 swipes plus $750 discretionary

Please note that the amounts above are per semester. The Block 192, 240, and 304 plans also include 5 "meal trades" per week, which allow students to use a swipe to purchase one entrée, side, and drink in designated retail locations.

Students are eligible for different meal plans based on their class standing and residence hall type:

• First-Year Students living on campus are required to purchase the Block 304 plan and cannot change to a different plan during their first year.

• Returning Students in Suites (no full kitchen) are required to purchase one of the following plans:  Block 192, Block 240, or Block 304.

• Returning Students in Apartments (with a full kitchen) are not required to purchase a meal plan, but they may choose to purchase any of the four options above if desired.

• Commuter Students are not required to purchase a meal plan, but they may choose to purchase any of the four options above if desired.

For more information about dining options and meal plans, please visit the Bentley Dining webpage.

Care Team

We know that students may experience challenges during their time at Bentley, and we have a Care Team in place to help. This is a small group of staff members from across the university who are dedicated to helping students get the resources and services they need to get through any personal issues they are experiencing. Anyone is able to submit a Care Referral for a Bentley student, including parents and families. If your student is having a hard time on campus and needs support, we encourage you to submit a Care Referral.

To learn more about the process or submit a referral, please visit the Care Team webpage.

Please note that referrals are reviewed during university business hours typically within 1-2 business days. For emergencies, contact University Police at 781.891.3131 (on-campus) or dial 911 (off-campus).

University Police

Bentley has its own dedicated police department to ensure that students have a safe and secure experience on campus. University Police is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, and our officers can regularly be seen patrolling campus and engaging with the community.

Contact University Police:

• Emergency Line:  781-891-3131
• Non-Emergency Line:  781-891-2201
• Website:  https://www.bentley.edu/offices/university-police

We encourage all students to save the University Police phone number in their cell phone.

Bentley Safe App

BentleySafe is the new official mobile safety app of Bentley University. It is an essential tool to enhance student safety and features emergency alerts, tools to contact University Police directly, instant access to campus safety resources, and much more! We encourage you to talk to your student about downloading the app so that they have it readily accessible on their phone if needed.

Click here to learn more and download the Bentley Safe App.

Counseling Center

Bentley's Counseling Center is a mental health resource for all students seeking support. With counselors available both on-site and remotely, the Counseling Center offers a range of mental health services to all Bentley students, and these services are included in their tuition. If your student is struggling with their mental health or is looking for someone to speak with, we encourage you to talk to them about setting up an appointment with one of our counselors. Click here to learn more about the Counseling Center.

Health Center

The Bentley Health Center is a confidential resource available to support the health of all full-time students. Most services within the office are covered by the student's tuition. The Health Center's dedicated team of nurse practitioners is available throughout the academic year to diagnose and treat many common health conditions and injuries, perform lab testing, write prescriptions and support medication delivery, and connect students with specialty care when necessary. We encourage you to talk with your student about contacting the Health Center for any health services or support they may need while on campus. Click here to learn more about the Health Center.

For medical emergencies, contact University Police at 781.891.3131 (on-campus) or dial 911 (off-campus).

Academic Advising & Support

We want all students to reach their full academic potential, and Bentley has resources and support in place to help set them up for success. The Office of Student Success supports students through academic advising, coaching, tutoring, and academic accommodations / accessibility services.

We encourage you to talk with your student about how their classes are going. If they are struggling with current classes, unsure of what classes to take next semester, or need any other academic support, please encourage them to reach out to the Office of Student Success.

To learn more about academic support and resources, please visit the pages below:

• Office of Student Success Home Page
• Undergraduate Academic Advising
• Academic Support Services
• Student Accessibility Services

Housing and Meal Plan Accommodations

Students with a medical or religious need for specific housing or meal plan accommodations are encouraged to submit an official request through our online form. Students submitting an accommodation request will be required to provide a detailed self-statement explaining their request; medical accommodation requests also require a letter from a medical provider in support of the request. Students should carefully review the requirements (especially what is needed in the medical provider letter) and deadlines for submitting an accommodation request, which can be found on the pages below:

• New Student Housing Processes
• Returning Student Housing Processes

We encourage you to talk with your student about the process and deadlines for requesting a housing accommodation if they have a medical or religious need. If you have any questions about this process, please contact HousingAccommodations@bentley.edu.

Room and Board Rates

The cost of a student's housing depends on their room type. Each room type and meal plan have an associated rate that is billed per semester, and these rates are updated each academic year. Please use this link to view the 2025-2026 Room & Board Rates.pdf.

We encourage you to talk to your student about housing and meal plan costs before they select their housing each year to ensure that the room they select aligns with your family's finances.

Falcon Funds

Students can add Falcon Funds to their ID card, which can be used to purchase items at all campus dining locations and the bookstore. These are a great option if your student needs more money toward retail dining options than what is provided as discretionary money on the meal plans. Click here to add money to your student's Falcon Funds account.

Billing and Financial Aid

All billing and financial aid, including for housing and dining, is managed by the Student Financial Services Office. Their dedicated team will work with you and your student to provide the financial services you need throughout your time at Bentley. To learn more about billing and financial aid, please visit the Student Financial Services webpage.

Personal Property Liability and Insurance

The University will assume no liability, directly or indirectly, for loss or damage to personal property by fire, flood, theft, or any other cause. We recommend that students have appropriate insurance to cover their personal property while on campus.

• Parents should check their family's personal property insurance coverage (if applicable) to see if their student is already covered. Some policies provide coverage if a student is listed as a dependent on the family policy and live on campus
• Renters insurance is another way for students to cover their belongings and protect themselves against theft, damage and many other causes of loss to personal property that may occur while at school, home, or when studying abroad.

Students indicate whether their belongings are covered by an insurance policy when signing their Housing and Meal Plan Contract, and we remind them in the contract that we recommend seeking insurance coverage. We encourage you to discuss insurance options with your student to ensure they are covered in the case of loss or damage to belongings while on campus.

Housing and Meal Plan Contract

In order to live on campus, all residential students must electronically sign the Housing and Meal Plan Contract each academic year. This is a legally binding agreement between the University and the student that outlines the terms of living on campus. Students who are under the age of 18 at the time the contract is due must have a parent or guardian sign the document. Please use this link to view the 2025-2026 Bentley Housing and Meal Plan Contract.pdf

We encourage you to review the Housing and Meal Plan Contract and to discuss it with your student to ensure they understand the terms of the contract, including move-in and move-out dates, financial responsibility, personal property liability, and residence hall damage policies.