One of the most common questions international student-athletes ask is: Where will I live while studying in the United States? Will I live on campus? Will I have a roommate? And can I move into an apartment later? The short answer is simple: most international student-athletes live on campus in a dormitory during their first year. You'll usually share a room with a roommate—often a teammate. After your freshman year, many universities allow students to move off campus and rent an apartment or house with friends or teammates. In this guide, we'll explain how campus housing works in the United States, what you can expect from dorm life, and how housing is covered by athletic scholarships.
What Are Dorms?
Most American colleges and universities offer on-campus housing, commonly known as dorms or residence halls.
Dorms are located within walking distance of nearly everything you’ll need, including:
- Academic buildings
- Athletic facilities
- Strength and conditioning centers
- Libraries
- Dining halls
- Student centers
For international students, this makes life much easier. During your first year, you typically won’t need a car because everything is just a short walk away.
For student-athletes, living on campus means you can easily walk from your dorm to class, practice, the gym, or the dining hall in just a few minutes.
Is Living on Campus Required?
At many NCAA and NAIA universities, freshmen are required to live on campus. This rule also applies to most international student-athletes.
Universities encourage first-year students to live in residence halls because it helps them:
- adjust to college life more quickly;
- make new friends;
- become part of the campus community;
- stay close to academic and athletic facilities;
- access support services when needed.
For international students, living on campus is often the fastest way to feel at home in a new country.
What Does a Dorm Room Look Like?
Dormitories vary from one university to another.
Some residence halls are fairly simple, while others resemble modern apartment complexes with outstanding facilities.
A typical dorm room usually includes:
- Two beds
- Two desks
- Two closets or wardrobes
- Chairs
- Storage space
- Air conditioning or heating
- High-speed Wi-Fi
Depending on the university, you’ll either share a bathroom with your roommate or with other students on your floor.
Many universities also provide:
- Study lounges
- Common areas
- Laundry rooms
- Community kitchens
- Game rooms
- Fitness centers
- Outdoor recreation areas
Sharing a Room with a Roommate
During your freshman year, you’ll almost always have a roommate.
Many athletic departments try to pair international student-athletes with one of their teammates whenever possible.
Although sharing a room may seem intimidating at first, most students quickly discover that it’s one of the best parts of college life. Many lifelong friendships begin in a dorm room.
What Is a Meal Plan?
Students living on campus usually receive a meal plan.
A meal plan allows you to eat at dining halls and campus restaurants.
Meal plans vary by university. Some schools offer:
- Unlimited dining hall access
- A set number of meals each week
- Dining dollars that can be used across campus
For student-athletes, meal plans are incredibly convenient. After classes or practice, you can simply head to the dining hall without worrying about grocery shopping or cooking.
Benefits of Living on Campus
College athletes have busy schedules filled with classes, workouts, practices, meetings, competitions, and travel.
Living on campus offers several important advantages:
- Everything is within walking distance.
- No commuting or traffic.
- More time for studying and training.
- Easy access to teammates and coaches.
- Convenient dining options.
- Academic and personal support nearby.
Many international students describe campus as a small community where everything they need is in one place.
A Typical Day as a Student-Athlete
One of the biggest advantages of campus housing is convenience. Because everything is located on campus, you spend less time commuting and more time focusing on academics, athletics, and your social life.
A typical day may look like this:
6:00 AM – Wake up.
6:30 AM – Team workout or practice.
8:00 AM – Breakfast in the dining hall.
9:00 AM – 2:00 PM – Classes.
3:00 PM – Strength training or team meetings.
5:00 PM – Practice.
7:00 PM – Dinner with teammates.
8:00 PM – Homework or studying in the library.
Read more about a day out of your life for your sport
When Can You Move Off Campus?
After your freshman year, many universities allow students to move into off-campus housing.
Student-athletes often choose to rent:
- Apartments
- Townhouses
- Single-family homes
Living off campus provides more privacy and independence, but also comes with additional responsibilities such as paying rent, grocery shopping, cooking, and managing household expenses.
Does an Athletic Scholarship Cover Housing?
Whether your housing is covered depends on the type of athletic scholarship you receive.
Full Athletic Scholarship
A full athletic scholarship often includes Room & Board, meaning the university pays for:
- Your dorm room
- Your meal plan
- Often many other educational expenses
Partial Athletic Scholarship
With a partial scholarship, you’ll usually be responsible for covering part of your housing and meal costs.
If you decide to move off campus later, each university has different policies regarding housing allowances. Always discuss this with your coach and the financial aid office before making a decision.
Ready to secure your spot on an American college campus?
At Made Scholarships, we guide you through the entire journey: from finding your ideal university and negotiating your scholarship (including room & board), to preparing for dorm life. Even after you arrive on campus, we remain your dedicated point of contact for any support regarding your academics, athletics, and housing.