Moving In & Moving Out
Moving In
WE ARE getting ready for Arrival, are you?
Visit our Arrival website to learn more about the Arrival process, including the check-in schedule, check-in locations, and checklists.
Moving Out
It's exciting to plan your move back home! To expedite moving out, it is recommended that students start packing their personal items BEFORE their planned departure (especially if someone is picking them up to reduce the time cars are parked on campus).
Each student living in University Housing is responsible for the condition of that room at the time of check out. Roommates need to develop a plan together for cleaning and returning the room, suite, or apartment to its original move-in state. Cleaning supplies and vacuum cleaners are available at each Commons Desk.
All students must Move Out, then Check Out, by the day after their last final examination.
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Summer Session: University housing closes at 12 p.m. on Saturday, the day following the last scheduled examination for official University courses, as announced by the University Registrar.
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Fall semester: University housing closes at 4 p.m. on the day following the last scheduled examination for official University courses, as announced by the University Registrar. Students who are returning to the same room for spring semester do NOT need to move out.
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Spring semester: University housing closes at 4 p.m. either one (1) or two (2) days following the last scheduled examination for official University courses, as announced by the University Registrar.
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Early Building Closures: Due to summer housing needs and construction projects, several residence halls will close a day earlier than the rest of campus. Students assigned to those buildings will be notified in advance. These buildings are used for Maymester housing, which begins on Sunday, the same day as spring closedown. Time is required to clean the building for use.
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Withdrawals: If a student withdraws from the University, the student must officially check out within 24 hours.
2025 Spring Semester Move Out
Move Out Dates
University Housing closes for 2025 spring semester on these dates:
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4 p.m., Saturday, May 10 for students living in all buildings in East Halls, Ritner and Wolf buildings in Pollock Halls, and Miller Hall in Eastview Terrace
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4 p.m., Sunday, May 11 for students living in all other buildings
Step 1: Complete the Departure Survey
Step 2: Clean Your Room
Complete the Check Out steps indicated in eLiving > My Room > Check Out
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Remove all items and clean Microfridge; keep unit plugged in, turned on, and doors closed
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Empty and clean all drawers and closet/wardrobe
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Remove decorations, tape, residue, etc.
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Clean floor (vacuum or sweep/mop)
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All Penn State provided furniture, including mattress and desk chair, must be present in room
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Take trash to designated collection area
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Drop off Goodwill donations in designated collection area, where available
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Remove ALL of your personal items from room
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Pick up mail and/or packages from the Commons Desk
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Update permanent address at account.psu.edu; only mail can be forwarded - any packages received will be returned to sender
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Students in a suite or apartment should also clean shared spaces, including entry ways, kitchens, and bathrooms
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Pick up your bike from a rack or storage to return home for the summer
Step 3: Move Out - Check Out
Once you Move Out, you will need to Check Out.
Do not complete the Check Out until you are ready to leave - this step will deactivate your building, room (if applicable), and Campus Meal Plan!
Parking
To ensure that there is enough parking available for everyone, you may temporarily park a vehicle in student parking lots for no more than 20-30 minutes. Hazard lights must be turned on. If you need more time than that, please utilize one of the parking decks.
Moving Carts
Moving cards will be available in each housing area. Signs will be posted indicating where carts will be located in that specific housing area (either in the commons building or residence hall lobby). Please return the cart to the identified pick-up area, do not leave outside due to forecasted rain.
MOVE OUT
Once all of your personal items are removed and you have cleaned the room, ensure that
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All trash has been moved to the designated area - do not leave trash in hallways or fill bathroom trashcans
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Room lights are turned off
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Your window is locked, then close/lock the room door
CHECK OUT
To complete the move out process, you must CHECK OUT through eLiving > My Info > Check Out. All students must Check Out! Failure to complete the Check Out step may result in a $25 administrative fee for failing to follow checkout instructions.
The Check Out process will deactivate your building and room door (if applicable) access. Do not Check Out until you are completely finished with the Move Out process.
> Did you Check Out by accident? Stop by the Commons Desk to request that your Check Out be undone.
- Digital Lock
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Complete the Check Out feature in eLiving.
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- Room Key
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Complete the Check Out feature in eLiving, AND
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Return room key to the Commons Desk. Room key should NOT be placed in the U.S. mail slot, given to a friend, or left in in the room. If the assigned room key is not returned to the Commons Desk within 24 hours after student's last final exam, a core change will be processed and the student's LionPATH account will be charged.
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After completing the Check Out (and returning room key if applicable), your building and room door (if applicable) access will be deactivated. Check your Penn State email to verify that you received the check out confirmation email. This email confirms that you are officially checked out and indicates the status of your room key (returned/not returned). It is recommended that you wait to leave campus until you receive the email. Retain the email in case there are any questions about your room key status or charges.
Goodwill Donations
Penn State University is partnering with Goodwill to collect donations again this year. Collection bins will be available in the lobbies of all residence halls on Wednesday, April 23 through Sunday, May 11. Students are encouraged to drop off gently used and unwanted clothing, small household and decorative items. Large furniture items will not be accepted. Unexpired food items may also be dropped off and will be distributed to local food pantries.
Goodwill will collect and transport donations to its main sorting site after students move out. These items will be prepared for sale and distributed to Goodwill locations across a 15-county region to be sold.
Donations are a sustainable way for students to help protect the environment by keeping items out of landfills.
Need a place to store your stuff?
The University has partnered with Storage Squad to provide a storage and shipping solution for students.