UNCW Off-Campus Student Services

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UNCW Off-Campus Student Services

Ready to live off campus or already live off campus? We are here to support you as you manage your search and navigate living independently.

Stay up to date with upcoming events and important dates and resources:
linktr.ee/seahawkocss

06/15/2026

🌊 TOP 5 PLACES TO VISIT IN WILMINGTON 🌴

New to Wilmington or looking for fun places to explore? Here are 5 popular spots you should definitely check out 👀.

🏘️ Wilmington Historic District
Walk through historic downtown Wilmington, filled with local shops, restaurants, historic buildings, and waterfront views. Perfect for exploring, shopping, and taking pictures ✨.

🌊 Wilmington Riverwalk
One of the most popular spots downtown! The Riverwalk runs along the Cape Fear River and has restaurants, shops, live music, and beautiful sunset views.

☀️ Wrightsville Beach
A favorite for UNCW students! Great for:
• Swimming
• Surfing
• Paddleboarding
• Sunsets
• Beach days with friends

🦴 Cape Fear Museum of History and Science
Learn more about Wilmington’s history, science, and local culture through exhibits and interactive displays. A fun indoor activity for rainy days too!

⚓ Battleship North Carolina
Tour a real World War II battleship and explore the ship’s decks, living quarters, and history exhibits while overlooking the river.

Whether you’re new to Wilmington or have lived here for years, there’s always something fun to explore 💙.

06/04/2026

💸 WAYS THAT UNCW CAN HELP YOU SAVE 💙

College can get expensive fast, but there are resources at UNCW that can help students save money and access essentials 👀.

🎓 Student Discounts
UNCW has a page with student discounts and savings opportunities at different stores and services!

Check out the link in our bio for the full list of discounts.

This page includes discounts students can use at different places just by being a student ✨.

🥫 Hawks Harvest
Hawks Harvest is UNCW’s food pantry for students experiencing food insecurity.

This resource helps students access basic food needs so they can focus on school without constantly worrying about groceries.

📍Located in the Fisher Student Union

🛍️ Swap Shop
The Swap Shop is UNCW’s free thrift store!

Students can find:
• Clothes
• Shoes
• Kitchen utensils
• School/living supplies
• Other donated items

People regularly donate items, so inventory is always changing, and new things are constantly being added ♻️.

📍Located in the Warwick Center

💭 Saving money as a student isn’t always easy, so don’t be afraid to use the resources available to you!

06/02/2026

💰 HOW TO CREATE A PERSONAL BUDGET 📋

Living off campus means managing more than just classes. Budgeting is a HUGE part of independent living 👀.

Here are 5 simple steps to help create a personal budget:

1️⃣ Set Your Financial Goals
Decide what you want to achieve with your money. Short-term goals could include buying textbooks or groceries, while long-term goals might be saving for an apartment, an emergency fund, or future plans. Clear goals help guide budgeting choices ✨.

2️⃣ Track Your Income
List all income sources:
• Job income
• Side jobs
• Financial aid refunds
• Scholarships
• Family support
• Any other money coming in

Keeping track of income helps you understand what you realistically can spend.

3️⃣ List Your Expenses
Write down all monthly expenses, including:
• Rent
• Utilities
• Groceries
• Transportation
• School supplies
• Subscriptions
• Entertainment
• Insurance
• Other recurring costs

Don’t forget occasional or annual expenses too!

4️⃣ Categorize Spending
Group expenses into categories like:
• Housing
• Food
• Transportation
• School expenses
• Entertainment
• Savings
• Debt payments

This makes it easier to see where your money is going and where you may need adjustments.

5️⃣ Set Spending Limits
Assign spending limits to each category based on your income and goals. Be realistic and flexible, prioritize essentials first while still leaving room for fun and personal spending 🎯.

📊 Budgeting templates can help organize everything in one place! Monthly budget planners and trackers can make managing finances much easier.

💭 Budgeting may feel overwhelming at first, but building good money habits now can make a big difference later!

05/27/2026

🏡 ROOMMATE AGREEMENTS: WHAT SHOULD YOU THINK ABOUT? 👀

Living with roommates can be great, but setting expectations early can prevent a LOT of future conflict.

Here are some important things to discuss before moving in together:

💰 Lease Agreement Details
• How rent will be divided
• Rent due dates
• Late rent expectations/fees
• Security deposit responsibilities

🚪 Guests
• Overnight guest rules
• Limits on how often visitors can come over
• Giving notice before guests visit

🧹 Cleaning Responsibilities
• Shared cleaning expectations
• Common space chore rotations

🔊 Noise
• Quiet hours
• Expectations during exams or late-night studying
• TV/music/gaming/phone call volume limits

🛒 Shared Items
• Who buys groceries and shared supplies
• Who can use certain items
• Labeling food in the fridge
• Borrowing clothes/appliances/supplies
• Replacing items after use

🔒 Privacy
• Respecting closed doors and private belongings
• Entering bedrooms only with permission

🚭 Smoking, Alcohol, etc.
• Rules about smoking/vaping
• Alcohol expectations
• Following lease rules and North Carolina laws

🤝 Conflict Resolution
• How roommates will address problems
• Regular roommate check-ins
• Expectations for respectful communication
• When to involve the landlord or property manager

Having these conversations BEFORE moving in can make living together way less stressful and help everyone feel respected.

05/26/2026

🏡 ROOMMATE SEARCH TIPS 👯‍♀️

Finding a good roommate can make a HUGE difference in your off-campus living experience ✨

Here are a few ways to find someone who’s a good fit:

📱 Look on social media
A lot of students make posts looking for roommates, especially before a new semester starts!

💻 Use the UNCW Off-Campus Housing website
Go to offcampushousing.uncw.edu and create a profile. It's almost like a dating app, but for roommates. You can match with people who have similar lifestyles, habits, and preferences.

☕ Meet before moving in
Try to meet up in person with the person/people you plan to live with before signing a lease or moving in. If that’s not possible, set up a video call hangout first!

💭 Talk about important things like:
• Cleanliness
• Guests/overnight visitors
• Noise levels
• Study/sleep schedules
• Pets
• Shared expenses

If you all have similar values and get along well, congratulations — you’ve probably found a great roommate 🎉

05/16/2026

🏡 RENTERS INSURANCE: WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW 🛋️

Moving off campus soon? Renters insurance may seem optional, but it can save you a LOT of stress and money 💭

1️⃣ It’s usually affordable
Many student renters insurance policies cost around $10–$25/month 💰

2️⃣ It helps cover your belongings
Typical coverage may include:
• Laptop
• Phone
• TV/gaming systems
• Clothes
• Furniture
• Bikes

Covered events can include theft, fire, water damage, and vandalism 🔥🚲

3️⃣ Liability coverage matters
If you accidentally cause damage or someone gets hurt in your apartment, liability coverage may help pay for damages or legal costs. Many apartment complexes actually require this coverage.

4️⃣ Your roommate’s policy usually does NOT cover you
Even if you live together, policies are often individual unless both names are specifically listed.

5️⃣ Floods & some disasters may not be covered 🌧️
Standard renters insurance often excludes:
• Flooding
• Earthquakes

You may need separate coverage depending on where you live.

6️⃣ Take inventory of your belongings before moving in 📸
• Take photos/videos of everything
• Save receipts when possible
• Write down serial numbers for electronics

This can help prove ownership if you ever file a claim.

7️⃣ Know the difference between “Actual Cash Value” vs. “Replacement Cost”
• Actual cash value = pays what the item is worth today after depreciation
• Replacement cost = pays what it costs to replace the item new

Replacement cost coverage is usually better if it fits your budget.

Good luck with your renting journey ✍️✨

05/14/2026

🏡 RENTER’S RIGHTS: WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ✍️

Living off campus comes with responsibilities — but you also have rights as a renter 👀

1️⃣ Your landlord usually CANNOT enter whenever they want
Valid reasons may include:
• Repairs
• Inspections
• Showing the apartment to future tenants

🚫 Not valid:
• Random surprise visits
• Using their key whenever they feel like it

2️⃣ You have the right to a livable apartment
In Wilmington, conditions that may make a unit unfit include:
• Leaning walls or structural damage
• Fire or wind damage
• Unsanitary conditions
• Unsafe exits or fire hazards
• Lack of ventilation, heating, plumbing, or electricity

3️⃣ Read the lease carefully — roommates matter 👥

Shared lease:
• Everyone may be responsible if one roommate misses rent
• Damages can affect everyone’s security deposit

Individual lease:
• Each tenant is responsible for their own room/rent
• Often a safer setup for students

4️⃣ Security deposits are protected 💰
In North Carolina, landlords generally must return deposits:
• Within 30 days after move-out
• Up to 60 days if repairs are still ongoing

You may lose deposit money for:
• Holes in walls
• Stains
• Broken furniture
• Unpaid rent

Normal wear and tear usually should NOT be charged.

📸 Pro tip: Take move-in and move-out photos/videos!

5️⃣ Document ALL repairs 🛠️
Always:
• Submit maintenance requests through the portal/email
• Save screenshots
• Keep timestamps

Written records can help protect you if safety issues are ignored.

6️⃣ Landlords usually are NOT responsible for your belongings
If:
• Your laptop gets stolen
• A pipe bursts and damages your clothes
• A fire ruins your furniture

…the apartment complex often may not reimburse you. Renters insurance can help protect your belongings!

💭 Do you have a renting story or advice for other students? Share it in the comments ⬇️

05/13/2026

🚩 RED FLAGS WHEN TOURING AN APARTMENT 🚩

Before signing a lease, pay attention to warning signs during your apartment tour 👀

❌ Anything seems broken
❌ Visible mold, strange smells, excessive moisture, or water damage
❌ Exposed wiring
❌ Peeling paint, warping, or stains
❌ Appliance issues
❌ Plumbing problems
❌ Signs of pests
❌ No smoke detectors
❌ Feeling rushed to sign
❌ Staff avoiding your questions
❌ Unclear policies or lease terms
❌ Bad online reviews
❌ Very small living space

Touring an apartment isn’t just about aesthetics — it’s about safety, maintenance, communication, and making sure the space is actually worth the price 💭

Always ask questions, read reviews, and never feel pressured into signing right away ✍️

05/11/2026

🏡 BEFORE YOU SIGN THAT LEASE 👀

Apartment hunting for next semester? Make sure you read the fine print before signing anything ✍️

💰 Budget & Costs:
• When is monthly rent due?
• What happens if you pay late?
• Are utilities included?
• Ask about extra fees (application fees, moving fees, late fees, pet fees, parking, etc.)
• Security deposit details

📄 Lease Terms:
• Lease start & end dates
• Subletting policy
• Overnight guest policy
• Pet policy
• Do you need a parent/guardian cosigner?

🚩 Red Flags:
• Pressure to sign immediately
• Verbal promises not written into the lease
• Hidden fees
• Poor communication
• Multiple bad reviews from tenants

🔎 Pro tip: Use the UNCW Housing Search website to compare pricing, lease options, roommates, move-in dates, and more BEFORE touring apartments!

💭 What’s something you wish you knew before renting off-campus? Drop your advice below ⬇️

04/25/2026

Next Week at UNCW! ⏭️☔🌻🌷

Get in some some fun things and some rest before finals week!

Monday, April 27th, 5:30 - 6:30 pm, Seahawk Wildlife Society is hosting Flower Press and Destress. Come join to destress before finals and learn how to press flowers! You will be picking your own plants around campus, then having a demo on how to press flowers with items you'd have on hand at home. This will be located in Teaching Lab 1007.

Tuesday, April 28th, 7 - 9:15 pm, ACE is playing Jaws. Grab your friends and experience this classic suspense film on the big screen. Popcorn will be served at the film. The showing will be in Lumina Theater.

Thursday, April 29th, 11 am - 1 pm, The Art and Art History Department is hosting Growing in 3D. Come and support the ART 370 Students by purchasing a 3D printed clay planter & pot it with a plant of your choice. This will be in front of the Kresge Greenhouse in the garden area.

Also on Thursday, 11 am - 2 pm, the Art and Art History Club is hosting an Art Sale. Join them for a wide variety of student vendors selling their art! Works will include prints, ceramics, paintings, crochet, sculpture, bookmarks, home decor, jewelry, and more!
Set up as an artist alley in the lobby of the Cultural Arts Building on campus.

Address

601 S College Road
Wilmington, NC
28403

Telephone

+19109623119

Website

https://uncw.edu/odos, https://offcampushousing.uncw.edu/

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