Living Off Campus

There are a variety of costs to consider when choosing to commute to campus. When reviewing your finances as they relate to your education, please keep the following in mind:

• You will need a driver’s license if you do not already have one. More information about Massachusetts licenses can be found at the Registry of Motor Vehicles.
• If you are driving your own car, you will likely encounter additional gas, insurance, and car maintenance expenses.
• Do you need to purchase a car? Are you going to buy a car or lease?
• If you choose to utilize public transportation, consider the number of times you will be traveling back and forth to campus for classes, meetings, and events and review the updated bus fare information. If you take the bus, have additional funds in your budget in the event a bus is running late and you need to take a cab.
• Will you be bringing food to campus for meals or purchasing food at one of the campus dining locations?

In some cases, funds awarded through loans or scholarships can be used to cover transportation costs. Contact Financial Aid to see if you can use your awarded funds for transportation.

Commuters receive a free parking pass for the academic year that will be mailed to you before classes begin. For information about parking on campus, please visit the parking web page.

The Worcester Regional Transit Authority is a regional transit system that services the City of Worcester and surrounding area. The WRTA offers reliable, comfortable, and safe transportation for traveling to school, work, shopping, appointments, and leisure activities. There are two bus stops located on Chandler Street (Route 3 and Route 6), right in front of campus. Visit the WRTA site for more information about bus routes.

Unlimited Semester UPASS

Students are eligible to purchase the UPASS for $125, which allows for unlimited rides each semester. The UPASS can be purchased on campus with University Police or at Union Station.

Ride share services including Uber and Lyft are available in the Worcester area.

• Estimate the cost of an Uber from your location.
• Estimate the cost of a Lyft from your location.

Check out the Worcester State University class Facebook pages to inquire about carpooling with other students.

• Buses: Both Peter Pan and Greyhound offer inter-city bus service.
• Commuter Rail: The MBTA Commuter Rail at Union Station provides daily and affordable service between Worcester and Boston.
• Trains: Amtrak services the city of Worcester from Union Station to over 500 cities nationwide.
• Taxi Services: Two taxi services provide transportation in the Worcester area:
  • Yellow Cab (508-754-3211)
  • Red Cab (508-792-9999 or 508-756-9000).

If you are living off-campus and on your own for the first time, consider the following when reviewing your expenses for the year:

• Rent
• Utilities
• Transportation to and from campus
• Groceries
• General living expenses (laundry, funds for social activities, etc.)

Always have a contact for your landlord and know what to do and/or who to contact in an emergency.

If you own a rental property that you would like to rent to Worcester State students or are a commuter student interested in renting in the area around Worcester State, please contact Commuter Services. We can also provide you with tips on renting, working with a landlord, and finding a roommate.

Visit “In My Area” to find out which service providers are in your area:

• Internet
• Utilities
• Cable TV

• Keep extra pens, school supplies, and textbooks in your car for long class days
• Have extra clothes and shoes to utilize the gym
• Be prepared for bad weather—keep items like a spare pair of gloves and a snowbrush in your car
• Stay on campus when your classes are over to attend events and meet other students