Students can now keep the 25 percent of merit-based aid they used to forfeit when choosing to move off campus, if they apply before the deadline and are approved.With a shortage of on-campus housing in recent years, Guilford responded by introducing a change to the policy, allowing students an option to move off campus without financial consequences. The review period for the proposal ended Jan. 28.

“I always thought 25 percent was pretty steep,” said senior Noah Colin, who lives in Westborough apartments. “It gave people incentive to stay on an overcrowded campus.”

“Keeping students happy at Guilford, who we were asking to leave campus because there isn’t enough room, is more important than the financial loss,” said Dean of Students Aaron Fetrow.

In fall 2006, when 426 traditional first-years arrived at Guilford, 150 students moved off campus, plus another 40 left Guilford housing that spring.

Fall 2007 saw 452 first-years enroll, while more students, about 250, found housing outside of Guilford along with approximately 27 others this spring. Some of these students made a case for waiving the deduction for medical or financial reasons.

“I live off campus now and didn’t lose any scholarships because I had a meeting with my financial advisor to prove that it was more economical for me to live off campus,” said senior Gabrielle Levine. “It would be a lot cheaper for anyone, really.”

Currently, Guilford has no plans to build more apartments or dorms on campus. However, a new apartment complex, Hodgins Retreat, will provide housing behind the Armfield Athletic Center on Dolley Madison Road. They plan to open and welcome new residents in August 2008.

These furnished apartments, closer to Guilford’s main buildings than the New Apartments, will cost $495 per month for each room. Living in the apartments on campus without a meal plan breaks down to around $860 per month. However, students must pay for housing up front at Guilford.

“Living in Westborough allows me to pay my bills once a month versus a down payment in loans to Guilford,” said sophomore Justin White.

For many students with presidential scholarships, Guilford formerly took away at least $2,500 away if they moved across the street. Some students felt forced to stay on campus for this reason.

“At this point in my life, I want to start living like an adult,” said junior Maria Kupper, presidential scholarship recipient. “Because there was no room in the apartments, I’m forced to live in Shore again. I couldn’t afford to lose scholarships (by) moving off campus.”

“Students now have leeway to get what they want rather than what they can afford,” said Jennifer Agor, associate dean for campus life. “We work with the current situation and this is an improvement over what we used to do.”

Off-campus housing approvals are done on a case-by-case basis. Guilford does not have specific requirements every student must meet in order to live off campus. Among many factors, Campus Life looks at applicants’ character, maturity, academic records, and any judicial cases.

Campus Life is working on setting the dates for when students sign up for the housing lottery, find out their on-campus living arrangements, and apply for off-campus housing. They hope to accommodate off-campus candidates by processing their applications before the lottery.

“I hope it will help housing issues on campus,” said Residential Living Coordinator Kris Gray. “The responsibility’s in the hands of the students – they have to get the application in by the deadline.