What is a Commuter Student?

A commuter student is someone who lives off-campus and travels to the university for classes. Commuting students often live with family or in nearby towns and cities rather than in on-campus housing.

Living at home or with family while attending CU Boulder can offer various benefits:

• Cost Savings: Living at home can significantly reduce living expenses compared to living in on-campus housing or apartments.

• Support System: Family support can be invaluable during the transition to college life.

• Comfort and Familiarity: Being in a familiar environment can help reduce stress and promote academic success.

Superior, along with other nearby towns such as Louisville and Lafayette, offer alternative housing options for CU Boulder students. Here's why living in these towns can be advantageous:

• Lower Cost of Living: Rent and housing expenses in towns like Superior are often more affordable compared to Boulder.

• Community Atmosphere: These towns offer a close-knit community feel with access to amenities such as parks, restaurants, and shopping centers.

• Accessibility: Many of these towns are within a short commuting distance from the university, making it convenient for students to travel to campus.

CU Boulder does allow freshmen to live at home instead of in on-campus housing. Here are some guidelines to consider:

• The university mandates that all first-year freshmen, defined as students who graduated from high school within one year of enrollment confirmation term, must reside in a university residence hall and subscribe to a traditional food plan for two academic-year semesters, excluding summer terms. This requirement does not apply to spring transfer students in their first matriculated year who are obliged to live in a university residence hall and carry a traditional meal plan for the spring semester. However, students younger than 16 or older than 24 need to contact University Housing before applying for housing.

Petition or Exemption to the Live On Requirement:

• First-year students who wish to be exempted from living in campus housing their freshman year can petition for an exemption by submitting the First-Year Release form through the MyCULiving portal. To be considered for release, students must meet one of the following criteria:

  • Be 21 years of age or older.

  • Have graduated from high school more than one year ago (May/June 2022 or earlier).

  • Live with parent(s) or legal guardian(s) at the university-established permanent address within a commutable distance of 30 miles.

  • Provide an extraordinary reason, excluding medical, psychological, or disability-related issues, with supporting evidence deemed appropriate by the university. COVID-19 generally does not warrant an extraordinary reason.

• Requests based on medical, psychological, or disability-related needs are handled separately by Disability Services.

• Students cannot be released from the live-on requirement to move off-campus, such as living in an off-campus apartment or a sorority/fraternity house.

• It's important to note that students approved for release from the first-year live-on requirement and with housing contracts are still charged for housing and food until an official check-out occurs. Cancellation charges may also apply according to the contract terms. Release from the live-on requirement does not exempt students from financial obligations under the housing contract.

• The process can take up to 10 business days, so students should plan accordingly, especially concerning upcoming financial deadlines.

While living off-campus can be beneficial, commuter students should consider the following:

• Transportation: Ensure reliable transportation options to get to and from campus, such as driving, public transit, or carpooling.

• Time Management: Commuting may require additional time for travel, so it's essential to plan schedules accordingly to avoid being late for classes.

• Stay Connected: Actively engage in campus activities, clubs, and resources to stay connected with the university community and make the most of the college experience.

If you are thinking about commuting, make sure to checkout CU’s information on Parking Permits: https://www.colorado.edu/pts/long-term-parking/student-parking#:~:text=Important%20Details%20About%20Your%20Parking,-Instead%20of%20hanging&text=Changes%20can%20be%20made%20in,yourself%20on%20a%20waiting%20list

As a Commuter Student, it might make economicall sense to stay on campus for the majority of the day so you don't have to drive back and forth in-between classes. Here are some things to do on campus to pass the time and while also being productive:

• Dining Halls: purchasing a supplemental Meal Plan (usually offered in 120, 80, or 50 meals per semester) allows you to get meals on campus in-between classes. These plans can be expensive but can save time instead of packing meals every day

• Rec Center: You can plan to work out in between classes by using the Rec Center on Campus. All full-time CU students have free access to the Rec so make sure to use this benefit! You can plan ahead for this by packing extra clothes to change into

• Studying: Use CU's many study spots to get studying and homework out of the way while you need to kill time!

• Get an On-Campus Job: If you want to make money while you are on campus, getting an on campus job is a great way to make money while not having to commute farther than campus! 

Whether you're considering living at home or in nearby towns like Superior, CU Boulder offers support and resources to help commuter students thrive academically and socially. By carefully planning your living arrangements and staying connected with campus life, you can make the most of your college experience while attending CU Boulder.