Frequently Asked Questions About Living at SSF

How much do I have to pay to live in the scholarship houses?
Upon acceptance to SSF, each student must pay a $250 reservation fee. The reservation fee is a one time fee, of which $125 is refundable when a student leaves SSF. Each student must then pay a semester housebill at move in. The semester housebill averages $950 per semester. The semester housebill includes all food, utilities, cable, laundry, parking, and wireless internet.

What if I do not have the full housebill amount on move in day?
Each student must pay at least $300 to receive keys and move into the house. If it is not possible to pay the remainder of the semester housebill at that time, it can be deferred until financial aid arrives during the second week of school. An agreement must be signed in order to defer payment.

Can SSF debit my housebill payment out of my financial aid money or bank account?
No. Each resident must pay their housebill directly to their scholarship house. This can be done via cash, check, money order, or cashier’s check.

When can I move into the scholarship house?
Residents accepted for the fall semester will move into the scholarship house in late August, typically the week before classes begin. Residents accepted for the spring semester will move in early January. Specific move in time information will be sent along with housing assignments.

When will I find out my house assignment and roommate?
Students accepted for the fall semester will be notified of their housing assignment via email in late summer. Students accepted for the spring semester will be notified via email in late fall. All new students will learn their roommate assignment when they arrive at SSF to move in.

How many roommates will I have?
In the majority of the scholarship houses, residents will share a room with one other person. Head residents have a private room and bathroom.

Can I choose my house?
No. The DSA will make all house assignments based on several factors including occupancy, house needs, personality, etc. It is SSF practice not to place friends or siblings in the same house. Our desire is for you to branch out and establish new friendships while still enjoying current relationships.

Can I choose my roommate?
No. Once the DSA assigns students to particular houses, the Head Residents of the houses match up roommates. This is done based upon a roommate interest form that each student completes. Great effort is put into matching roommates based upon interests and living habits.  

How many people share a bathroom? 
There are two types of bathroom arrangements in the scholarship houses. Some houses have community style bathrooms in which a floor will share a bathroom. In such, approximately 10 students share the bathroom. In other houses, the bathrooms are suite style with 2 rooms sharing one bathroom. That is 4 residents sharing one bathroom.

What should I bring with me? 
Every SSF resident is provided with a desk, dresser, chair, and bed. You will need to bring standard twin size sheets, blankets, pillows, towels, toiletries, alarm clock, clothes hangers, lamp, and any other items you’ll need on a daily basis. It is advisable to wait until you have moved in to go shopping for other items. You will have a better idea of space and need at that point.

Can I bring my computer?
Yes, some houses have a house computer while others do not. All SSF houses are equipped with wireless internet access.

Can I bring my car?
Yes!! Each SSF campus has a limited number of parking spaces for residents. All areas are open for use at any time, excluding SSF office parking which is closed to residents, weekdays between 7am and 6pm. If you plan to bring a car, please remember that you are required to register your car with SSF. Please note that uninsured cars are not permitted on SSF property.

If you don’t have a car, don’t worry!! Our houses are all within walking distance to campus. Also, there is always someone with a car in your house running errands in town that you can tag along with.

Can I bring my bike? 
Definitely!! Biking is an easy way to get around…but be careful!!! Campus drivers are a bit crazy at times. Make sure to bring a strong lock to secure your bicycle outside as they are attractive items for thieves and register your bike with the university police department.

Where are the houses located?
The scholarship houses are located within walking distance from campus. At FSU, residents cross the street and are on campus!!! At UF, all houses are within walking distance and are also on the sorority row bus route. They are no more than a half mile to the middle of campus. At FGCU, the scholarship house is located right on campus!!

Are the houses safe?
Safety is paramount at SSF. All houses are locked 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with residents having keys. Students are constantly encouraged to take safety precautions and communicate with housemates. Additionally, SSF has a strong relationship with our campus police departments. Officers regularly patrol SSF property and visit the scholarship houses.

Is there a curfew?
NO!! We consider all SSF residents to be adults and they are treated as such. This includes coming and going from the scholarship house as they please. The only deadlines you will experience are those for your household responsibilities.”

Can I stay at SSF for winter break, Spring Break, and/or summer break?
Winter Break – SSF houses close for the winter break in December. However, students with extenuating circumstances may be permitted to stay. They must talk with the DSA individually.

Spring Break – SSF houses remain open during Spring Break. Although most students leave for the week, a few remain for work or study purposes.

Summer – SSF typically keeps a few houses on each campus open for the summer. All others are closed for maintenance. Only current SSF students are eligible to stay for the summer.

What if I’m a picky eater or have food allergies?
All food and meals are planned for the house majority. Preferences will be taken into account each week but meal planning and budgeting cannot be tailored to one individual. All residents will have space in the refrigerator and pantry for personal food.

Do I have to re-apply each year?
No. All current residents will go through a simple renewal request process each semester. As long as residents maintain the required GPA, have a financial need, and live well in the house, the scholarship is renewable from semester to semester.

Do I have to move my stuff out of the house at the close of every semester?
If a student is not returning to SSF for the next immediate semester, he/she must move out with all belongings. If a student is staying for the summer semester, he/she may have to move belongings to another SSF house. It simply depends on house assignment.

Can guests visit me?
All SSF residents are able to have visitors. Visitation hours are governed by the SSF Handbook and house constitutions. SSF residents must accompany their guest at all times and are responsible for their guests’ behavior. All guests must abide by SSF rules. There is absolutely NO overnight visitation by members of the opposite sex.  

Are there laundry facilities at SSF?
Every scholarship house has a washer and a dryer….no quarters required!!!  

How do I receive mail at SSF?
The majority of the scholarship houses have their own address and mailbox. All mail except for packages will be delivered right to the house. Packages are delivered to the SSF office. All mail for the FAMU houses will come directly to the SSF office. Address information will be included with housing assignments.

I have been placed on the waiting list. How likely am I to get a spot and when will I find out?
Throughout the summer semester, vacancies tend to arise at SSF. If and when such occurs, the DSA will carefully consider all wait listed students for any vacancies. SSF cannot speculate or guarantee that spots will open as they are always surprises. It is advisable for all wait listed students to continually check their email for updates.