1. How do I apply to live at CSCC? How large is the application pool? Is there a security deposit? If so, is it refundable?

To apply to live at CSCC, fill out the application and mail it along with the $20 application fee to the CSCC office. See “Application Process” for more information.  The application process is also available online through our website, with the application fee paid through PayPal.

The application pool varies depending on the time of year. We have slow periods (winter months) but also very busy times (July & August). Be as specific as you can about when you are available for an apartment as we very well could have one when you need it.

There is a security deposit and it equals one month’s rent of the type of apartment you are offered.  The security deposit is refundable.

2. Who is eligible to live in Student Family Housing? How many credit hours is a student required to take each semester?

Family Eligibility
Any University of Minnesota student family or graduate student may live at CSCC as long as they meet the eligibility requirements. According to the University, a family is defined as:

• A student living with their spouse with or without minor children. A marriage certificate is required.
• An unmarried student with 50% or greater physical custody of minor child(ren). Legal custody documentation is required.
• Domestic partners as defined and authorized by the University.
• Single graduate students, medical residents, post-docs, professional students are eligible to live in 2-bedrooms at CSCC.

Academic Eligibility

• One member of a family must meet the academic eligibility requirement.
• Undergraduates must carry at least nine credits per semester.
• Graduate students must carry at least six credits or be actively working on a thesis only project.
• Professional students such as medical residents, law students, or post-docs are eligible

3. How much is rent? When is rent due? How do I pay rent? What utilities are included in rent? Can I make a late rent payment?

Rent Schedule

Rent is due on the 1st of each month and is payable up to the end of the business day on the 5th of the month without a late fee. When the 5th falls on a day that the CSCC office is closed, residents have until the end of the next business day that the office is open to pay. If the rent is not received by the deadline, a $25 late fee will be charged.

You can pay rent by going to the office during normal business hours. To pay rent after hours, there is a drop box located right outside of the office. Residents can also mail their rent checks to the CSCC office if business hours do not correspond to to your hours.  CSCC does not accept credit cards for rent payments.

All utilities (electricity, water, natural gas) are included in the rent.

Residents have the ability to receive three rent extensions in one fiscal year. To receive an extension, residents must either fill out a “Request for Rent Extension Form” at the CSCC office or email the CSCC office specifically requesting a rent extension. Either request must be received by the CSCC office prior to the deadline for rent payment. To be eligible for an extension, the tenant cannot have an outstanding balance. The General Manager may reject a request for an extension if the request is not for “good cause”.

4. Is the housing contract a term lease or a month-to-month agreement?

The housing contract is month to month but requires a 60-day written notification to terminate the lease.

5. Do you provide Cable TV and Internet access?

There are cable outlets in each apartment, but it is up to each resident to secure their own contract with a provider.  Comcast is the provider in our area for Cable TV.  For Internet access, there are more options.  Many residents use Comcast and CenturyLink and we also receive the Minneapolis Wireless signal.

6. Are pets allowed at CSCC?

Dogs and cats are not allowed, though small caged animals are allowed with permission from the general manager.  For more information, please consult the CSCC Pet Policy.

7. Where can I do laundry?

Each building has a laundry room with card operated washers and dryers. The washers and dryers are operated by MacGray. Currently the cost is $1.40 for the washers and $1.15 for the dryers.

8. What type of storage is available?

Each building has a common area storage room that is located next to the laundry rooms.  It can only be accessed with your apartment key.  Each apartment has about a 2’ x 4’ space.

9. What do you mean by ‘cooperative’?

The university owns the land and buildings, but the management company that runs the operations is managed by the residents. There is paid staff to run the day to day operations and there is a volunteer Board of Directors and standing committees. As a cooperative, residents are also responsible for helping maintain the complex by fulfilling cleaning duties and volunteering on committees to help manage the day-to-day functions of a large apartment complex.

10. Do I need a parking permit to park at CSCC? Do you have assigned parking? Do you have covered parking?

There is no cost for on-site parking at CSCC.  Residents are limited to two vehicles, and must display the CSCC parking permit on the registered vehicles.  If you have more than two vehicles, you will need to park the additional car on the street. Each apartment is also given a visitor pass for guests to park in our parking lots.

We do not have assigned or covered parking.

11. Do you have special-needs facilities?

We have parking spaces and ground level apartments for people who are mobility impaired. For more information, please contact the office.

12. What is a coreway?

The interior areas (hallways and stairs) of the CSCC buildings are called coreways. For example, you could say “I live in the 1029 coreway.”

13. What do you mean by a “flat” apartment vs. a “townhouse” apartment?

A “flat” is an apartment where all rooms are on one level. A “townhouse” apartment has two floors, with the bedrooms and bathroom on the second floor.

14. Do you provide insurance to cover loss of personal property?

All residents are encouraged to retain renter’s insurance for their personal property or any damage they may cause to the apartment through negligence.  CSCC is not responsible in any way for a tenant’s personal belongings.

15. If I wanted my parents or siblings to stay with me for an extended time, is that allowed?

Yes. Extended family members, considered guests, are allowed to stay with CSCC residents but there is an additional charge of $35 per person per month. Family members are required to register at the CSCC office.

16. We have three children, but only need a two-bedroom apartment. Can we do that?

No. According to federal law, only two people are allowed per bedroom, so a maximum number of four people can live in a two-bedroom apartment.

17. As a married couple, are we eligible for a two-bedroom apartment if we do not have any children?

Yes.

18. How many families live in CSCC?

We have 360 apartments at CSCC, and there is a combination of families and single graduate students from the University of Minnesota living in these apartments.

19. Is there local public transportation? How close is CSCC located to the University of Minnesota?

We are on the city bus line which runs about every 10 minutes on school days. Residents are encouraged to purchase the U Pass through the university because you can ride the bus all over the city for an incredible price each semester.

CSCC is located half way between the St. Paul and the Minneapolis campus - about 2 miles from each campus.

20. What school district would my children attend?

We are located in the Minneapolis Public School District. There are two elementary school options: Pratt Community School for K-5 or Marcy Open School for K-8. There are also some private schools in the area. Minnesota has a School Choice program which may allow you to select the school of your choice as long as there is room for your child. Visit http://schoolchoice.mpls.k12.mn.us/ to search school options based on your address/attendance area. You can filter your results based on program offerings, activities and start times. You can also compare schools based on testing and school demographic data, and search for high school programs available to you. There are also members of our community who choose to homeschool.

21. Do you accept credit cards?

No, we do not accept credit cards. We only accept check or cash.