Off-Campus Student Life (OCSL) offers a variety of programs and services for students living off campus -- whether across the street or across the Twin Cities. The OCSL Lounge brings neighborhood students and distance commuters together.
We also have programs that serve specific populations of off-campus students.
Since the fall of 2021, all first-year students are required to live on campus during their first and second years. Students can request an exception from this on-campus living requirement. More information on what is considered an exception can be found on Residence Life’s website. Financial aid is available to assist students with the cost of on-campus housing.
Since the fall of 2021, all first-year students are required to live on campus during their first and second years. Students can request an exception from this on-campus living requirement. More information on what is considered an exception can be found on Residence Life’s website. Financial aid is available to assist students with the cost of on-campus housing.
St. Thomas wants to prepare students for the responsibilities and realities of living off campus in a family-oriented neighborhood. A core function of Off-Campus Student Life (OCSL) is to educate students about their rights and responsibilities living off-campus, particularly in the Merriam Park and Macalester-Groveland neighborhoods around St. Thomas’ St. Paul campus.
The Student Tenant Education Program (STEP) is designed to provide students with fundamental resources and knowledge about living off-campus. Students will learn about living off-campus responsibly, maintaining their property, developing good relationships with permanent residents, and becoming part of the community around campus.
Content areas include:
Participation in STEP is open to all current St. Thomas students. Questions about STEP can be directed to Off-Campus Student Life at offcampus@stthomas.edu or 651-962-6659. Or visit us in person in ASC 218 (Anderson Student Center).
"Multi-modal" refers to biking, walking, cycling, scootering, riding the bus or light-rail -- in short, any means of getting around without a car, which is both easy and advisable in our urban neighborhood. From Transportation Trivia in Scooter's and Bike-Walk-Roll to Campus Day to our annual trainings, OCSL partners with and the Office of Sustainability Initiatives on innovative ways to encourage climate health and discourage driving.
This small but growing program encourages our neighborhood students to donate and recycle goods before spring move-out, whether it's usable furniture for , blankets and towels for in Hastings, Minnesota, or discardable electronics that can be recycled at .
St. Paul is divided into 17 district councils that foster citizen input and make recommendations to the City Council. Our St. Paul campus straddles two of those councils -- and -- and we encourage and enable our students to become involved. St. Thomas also co-leads the city-chartered (WSNAC), made up of university administrators and neighbor representatives from four different neighborhood groups.
It is our hope to provide you with easy access to information that will help support you in your experiences both in and out of the classroom at St. Thomas.
University offices and departments linked to this site have specific and helpful information for you. If you are still not finding the information you need or would like to discuss a specific issue not listed here, please contact Ana Theisen at aztheisen@stthomas.edu.
A staff member in Off-Campus Student Life can provide a student with useful information about off-campus housing options around the area. Unfortunately, there are no on-campus housing options for students who have dependent children living with them. Please call (651) 962-6138 for additional information. You can also visit our off-campus housing website. Off-Campus Student Life is located on the second floor of the Anderson Student Center, ASC 218.
The Financial Aid Office can provide a student with useful information. A financial aid counselor can help students with financial aid information and resources to finance a St. Thomas education. Please call 651-962-6550 to set up an appointment with a counselor. Financial Aid is located on the first floor of Murray-Herrick Campus Center (MHC).
The Business Office can provide a student with useful information concerning tuition payments. A counselor can help students plan methods of payment to finance a St. Thomas education. Please call 651-962-6600 to set up an appointment with a counselor. The Business Office is located on the first floor of Murray-Herrick Campus Center (MHC).
It is important that parents understand the attendance policies on their course syllabi. If a parent needs to miss a class due to their child being ill, the parent should contact their professor immediately to notify the professor of the reason for their absence.
Academic Counseling can provide students with useful information concerning scheduling and course emphasis. An academic counselor can help students plan classes around their needs. It is helpful to make a degree plan and plan several semesters ahead because not all classes are offered each semester. Please call 651-962-6300 to set up an appointment with a counselor. Academic Counseling is located in the Murray-Herrick Campus Center, room 110.
The Center for Well-Being is an integrated health and well-being center, partnering the services of:
Please call 651-962-6750 for additional information. Health Services is located at 35 S. Finn Street (between Summit and Grand Avenues).
Several convenient diaper-changing stations and lactation rooms exist on the St. Paul and Minneapolis Campuses. See the link below for more details on the locations of these resources.
The Post-Secondary Child Care Grant Program helps low-income undergraduate students who have young children pay for child care while the student attends classes. Talk to your Financial Aid Counselor to learn more about this grant. You can also read about the on the Minnesota Office of Higher Education site.