Introduction: A Message from your Non-Traditional Student Representative
"Non-traditional students come from a variety of backgrounds and experiences. We are
parents, veterans, returning students, commuters, full-time employees, and more. Although
non-traditional students are becoming the new-norm on college campuses across the
country, most of us would say it is difficult to feel like a member of the campus
community. As your Non-Traditional Student Representative, I am determined to make
every non-trad student feel included and at home at the University of North Texas.
After all, non-trad students possess qualities that college campuses need now more
than ever: resilience, adaptability, stamina, and optimism. Non-Traditional and Commuter
Student Support provides non-trad students with resources and opportunities so that
you can get the most out of your UNT experience. In these unprecedented times, community
could not be more paramount, and we need support now more than ever. I am proud to
be apart of our non-trad community and cannot wait to support you!"
UNT has over 4,000 faculty and staff members, hundreds of departments, special facilities,
services and events for you. As you get to know your campus, professors and academic
advisors, you may also want to take advantage of the many benefits of being a UNT
student.
UNT is a state-of-the art university. Our campus has all of the modern amenities that
you would expect from a prestigious 21st century school. There are many computer access
labs, complete library services, and student organizations, including an organization
and social groups specifically for non-traditional students
As a modern university, UNT is fully integrated online with many classes taught exclusively
via the internet, and others in a classroom with supplemental internet instruction.
In addition to coursework, most of your student information, including financial information,
schedule and registration, and grades are centrally located in an online database.
To navigate the UNT online system, students need only general knowledge of the internet
and understanding of the tools required to access the UNT online system.
All students entering college go through a period of adjustment. Non-traditional students
may face even greater challenges as they strive to balance work and family with the
new responsibilities of school. You may lack confidence or feel a certain degree of
disorientation. You may have doubts about your own ability to do the work. There are
many issues a non-trad may have to overcome to be successful in college, but with
a positive attitude and motivation, you will accomplish your goals.
There are many grants and scholarships specifically for non-traditional students.
While the scholarships listed here are solely for non-traditional students, most scholarships
are not restricted because of age, marital status, family situation or prior education.
Non-traditional students are fully eligible for Pell Grants, Stafford Loans, and any
other federal and state financial aid program. These grants are accessed by filing
a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at fafsa.gov. For more information about scholarships and financial aid, and for a full list of
scholarships available, visit financialaid.unt.edu/scholarships. Also, apply for the scholarships available within the College of your declared major,
which are typically listed by each department online.
Coming to college for the first time, or returning after some time away, can be a
very intimidating and scary idea for students. Trying to navigate the campus, knowing
who to talk to about certain resources UNT provides, and getting into the groove of
things in the classroom may seem stressful, and may take a bit of time for some. We have
a Non-Traditional Student Representative to help you throughout your experience here
at UNT, whether you're new and adjusting to life at UNT or counting down the days
until graduation. This person, who is also a fellow non-traditional student, is available
to answer any questions you may have or confide in about any issues you might be facing
as a non-traditional student at UNT.
Alpha Sigma Lambda National Honor Society for Adult Learners
Alpha Sigma Lambda (ASL) is an invitation-only national honor society for undergraduate
adult learner students pursuing their first baccalaureate degree. Each semester, qualifying
adult learner students (age 24 and older) are invited to apply for membership. After
submitting a membership form and paying one-time dues, new members are formally inducted
into ASL at the Induction Ceremony. ASL is a great way for high-achieving adult learners to
be recognized for academic ability while overcoming the obstacles that adult learners
and non-traditional students experience. ASL also offers an annual scholarship for
adult learners.
Membership options include the following:
Membership only: $10
Membership and participation in the Induction Ceremony (price includes inductee guests):
$27
Membership with graduation honor cords: $29
Bundle (membership, participation in the induction ceremony, and cords): $45
On the national website, you can also sign up for the ASL newsletter, get information
about scholarships, and get connected to additional student resources.
Non-Traditional Student Appreciation Week: October 9-13, 2023
UNT is dedicated to engaging our non-traditional students to enrich their journey
through higher education. Are you a non-traditional student in search of resources,
community, or free food? Non-Traditional Student Appreciation Week, or "Non-Trad
Week" is a full week of programming for Non-Traditional Students. It is held every
Fall semester. Non-Trad Week events typically include extended departmental office hours, special
food offerings, social events, presentations from UNT Departments and special guest
speakers, family fun and movie nights, free tickets to a football game, professional-quality
headshots, and so much more! All events are free with a current UNT student ID.
Check back for updates on activities and programs offered during Non-Trad Week.
Stay Up-to-Date
If you'd like to be alerted via email of upcoming events, resources, and scholarships
that benefit you as a non-traditional student.
Our convenient location and online programming are some of the many reasons why more
than 40,000 students choose to pursue their education with UNT. Approximately 80%
of our students live near campus or are commuters who travel from the surrounding
DFW area. Of these, over 8,000 fall into the category of “non-traditional” and over
3,000 are 100% online students. At UNT, Student Activities offers many options for
off-campus, commuter, and non-traditional students, allowing you to balance your academic
schedule around the distance, your job, and family responsibilities. Part of Student
Activities, Non-Traditional and Commuter Student Support (OCSS), is here to you achieve
your educational and extracurricular goals.
What is a Commuter Student? An Off-Campus Student?
For our purposes, a commuter student is a student who lives outside of Denton and
drives to school. The student could live at home with their parents or relatives,
live with their own family or dependents, or live alone. An off-campus student lives
off-campus, but near UNT or in the city of Denton. Off-campus students typically live
with a roommate or roommates in an apartment or house. They either walk, bike, take
the bus, or drive a short distance to campus.
Commuter Student Guide
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Commuter Student Apprecation Week: March 4-8, 2024
Commuter Week is held every spring semester to honor and celebrate UNT students who
commute to campus from outside of Denton. This week is also designed to create more
awareness for our Commuters who have specific experiences. Commuter Week is filled
with fun and informative events and programs offered by Non-Traditional and Commuter
Student Support and other UNT Departments.
Off-Campus Housing
We work with Off-Campus Housing Source to provide a webpage, offcampushousing.unt.edu, dedicated to helping students find off-campus housing in the greater Denton area.
On this page, you can find or post ads for apartments and homes for lease or rent.
The page also hosts a roommate and sub-lease search application, free for UNT students. If you are looking for family-style housing
instead of student housing and unable to find what you are looking for, select "Contact Us" in the top menu bar of that page and complete the contact form. Off-Campus Housing
Source will reach out and help you directly.
Need some help? Check out the video below: "Off-Campus Housing 101", a presentation that includes information on Non-Traditional and Commuter Student
Support (1:46), how to search for off-campus housing in the Denton area (10:43), and
legal perspectives related to housing (37:28). This presentation is brought to you
by OCSS, Off-Campus Housing Source, and UNT Student Legal Services.
Before making any major purchase, ask to see the place you plan to move into. All
properties should be willing to give you a tour, and in most cases, you can reserve
a date and time with the property manager. Examine every property of your interest
and see if it is the one for you and your roommates. Contact the property managers directly for the best customer service, pricing and assistance.
Signing a lease is a big deal; before you sign your name you should consider a number
of factors. Establish a monthly budget to determine the costs of living off-campus.
Consider food, transportation (gas and insurance), rent, utilities, internet, and
other expenses that you may have. Find a place that fits your budget and living needs,
and is a reasonable distance from school, work, etc. Most contracts are for either
9 months or a full calendar year, so think ahead for possible timing conflicts. Before
you sign a lease, be sure that you can make these commitments and that they can be
upheld until the conclusion of your leasing term. The UNT Student Money Management Center is an excellent place to learn how to get started on a budget.
When discussing leasing contracts with a property manager, ask about Utilities (electricity,
sewer, etc.) and what is included in your rent. Each property has a different method
of collecting bills, and you should be aware of your options. Also, ask if you must
make arrangements for utilities before your move-in date or if the property manages
the utilities for you. Make a list of what each property provides (Including internet,
cable, shuttle service, gym, maintenance support, etc.)
Before signing a lease, ensure you know exactly what you are signing. Every person
intending to sign the lease should thoroughly read the contact. Be sure to understand
if you are renting a single room or splitting an apartment unit among roommates listed
on the contract. Be sure to read the fine print and highlight important dates and
information. Ask questions of property managers over terms you do not understand and,
if needed, seek legal assistance to verify the authenticity of your contract. UNT Student Legal Services[BROKEN LINK] is a great resource and is free for UNT students.
Non-Traditional and Commuter Student Support is here to support your success. Should you ever need any help, please don't hesitate
to contact us. We can help you navigate university resources such as parking or bus
routes with Transportation Services, or look into a Commuter Meal Plan through Dining Services. Additionally, you need personal assistance navigating a
housing search in the greater Denton area, fill out the contact request form here. For additional assistance, contact Non-Traditional and Commuter Student Support
at ocss@unt.edu, (940) 565-3807, or stop by our office Union 345.
One of the quickest ways to locate housing off-campus is to find students who already
have a place to live and are in need of a roommate, or who are looking to sublease
their place. Our online roommate search can be found here. Read through the Roommates and Sub-Leases section below to explore how to find other
students in need of a place to share!
Finding a Roommate
The Off-Campus Housing Source website allows you to create a profile to find potential
roommates, or have potential roommates find you! This service is free for current
UNT students.
If creating a new profile, click "Account" on the right on the menu bar, then click
"Sign Up", and enter your EUID and password to log in; if you already have a profile,
click "Log In"
Once logged in, click on "Account" again, where you can create or update your profile
by clicking "View/Update Profile;" note that you can control your roommate preferences,
privacy settings or hide/delete your account at any time
Once your profile is completed, you will be able to conduct a roommate search and/or
potential roommates will be able to find you, at which point you can connect to determine
if you are right for each other
Finding a Good Roommate Fit
It is your responsibility to contact potential roommates, communicate your desires
and needs, and determine if the potential roommate is a good fit for you. It is likewise
the potential roommate's responsibility to determine if the fit is good fit for them. No
matter what, trust your gut and err on the side of safety when making decisions for
yourself.
Tips
Create interview questions (see below for examples)
Create a list of expectations to discuss with your potential roommate (e.g., is it
okay to eat each other's food, what time of night would you like it to be quiet by
so you can go to bed)
Meet in a public place
Always tell someone where you're going and how long you plan on being there
When speaking with a potential roommate, you may want to consider or ask about, but
not limited to, the following:
Are you a morning or evening person?
Do you have a job? How do you pay your bills?
What time do you typically go to bed and wake up?
What's your typical schedule?
Have you ever had a problem with roommates before?
How often do you clean?
What's your monthly budget for everything related to housing (e.g., rent, utilities,
internet)?
If we had a disagreement, how would you prefer to resolve it?
How often do you have guests over? Will you have overnight guests? Do you host social
events?
What amenities and services do you need or prefer (e.g., laundry, parking, pool, trash
pick-up, fitness center, etc.)?
What are your preferred security preferences or services?
How close to campus do you prefer to be?
Do you have furniture? If so, what?
Subleasing
Life has all kinds of unexpected turns, and you have to adjust your plans. This may
mean you can no longer live in your place, but you can't get out of your lease! This
is where subleases can help. Subleases are when another person takes over someone
else's lease and continues full or partial payment (whichever is negotiated as allowed
by the property owner). Off-Campus Housing Source is a good place for you to post
your sublease or find a sublease if you want a short-term living arrangement. This
service is free for current UNT students.
If creating a new profile, click "Account" on the right on the menu bar, then click
"Sign Up", and Enter your EUID and password to log in; if you already have a profile,
click "Log In"
Once logged in, click on "Account" again and click on "Sublet/Relet Listing"
Enter your sublease information when prompted; note that you can control your sublease
preferences, privacy settings or hide/delete your account at any time
Once your profile is completed, you will be able to conduct a sublease search or post
your sublease
Finding a Good Sublease Fit
It is your responsibility to contact potential sub-lessors/lessees, communicate your
desires and needs, and determine if the situation is a good fit for you. It is likewise
the potential sub-lessor/lessee's responsibility to determine if the fit is a good
fit for them. No matter what, trust your gut and err on the side of safety when making
decisions for yourself.
Tips
Create interview questions (see below for examples)
Do an internet search for subletting tips (e.g., type the address into Google Earth
to look at a picture of the property to make sure it's legitimate) and avoiding scams
Meet in a public place
Always tell someone where you're going and how long you plan on being there
Note that if something seems too good to be true (e.g., rent is significantly lower
than it should be), it probably is
If you find a match as a sub-lessor/lessee, ensure the completion of a sub-lease agreement
When speaking with a potential sub-lessee or sub-lessor, you may want to consider
or ask about, but not limited to, the following:
Does the apartment or landlord allow for subleases? It should say in the leasing agreement.
What is the living arrangement? Will there be roommates? Is it a house or an apartment?
What are the rules and conditions for the sublease?
What is the duration of the sublease?
How are the rent payments to be made?
What utilities will be included (or not included) in the rent? If not included, how
are utilities payments made?
Can the sublease be voided at any time?
When is it available for move-in? When would I need to move out?
UNT's Housing Fair, held in both Fall and Spring, connects students with representatives
from local apartment properties and student-living communities, as well as housing
resources, all in one place. With properties bringing floor plans, information about
amenities, price breakdowns, and move-in specials, the Housing Fair helps students
find housing in the City of Denton. Additionally, UNT departments and community partners
participate in providing important information and resources related to living off-campus
housing.
October 11th from 11:00 am - 1:00 pm at the Library Mall
March 6th from 11:00 am - 1:00 pm at the Library Mall
Vendors
Off-Campus housing vendors are invited to participate. Registration details and fees
will be posted soon.
If you are a housing vendor interested in participating, send an email to OCSS@unt.edu to be added to the invitation list.
Community Partners
Community partners include UNT Departments and any off-campus non-profit, state, or
local government or community agency that can provide valuable information to UNT
students related to living off-campus. There is no registration fee for community
partners. After registration, more information and instructions will be sent to you.
If you are a community partner interested in participating, please email us at OCSS@unt.edu to be added to the invitation list.
Complete Care pairs UrbanSitter's child care, pet care, senior care, and household
services with Kinside's marketplace of daycares and preschools to bring you the very
best coverage for all your needs. No matter the scenario, find the care that fits
your budget, schedule, location, and preferences. This program is FREE to UNT students,
faculty, and staff. An introduction to Complete Care can be found HERE!
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act calls for certain organizations with
50 or more employees to provide a private location and “reasonable break time” for
an employee to express breast milk for her nursing child for one year after the child's
birth. Bathrooms cannot be designated as lactations rooms by the institution.
Five rooms for breastfeeding have been completed and furnished in the busiest buildings:
Union 431 (next to the restrooms)
Discovery Park B145
Willis Library 155C- need a key from front desk to access (Currently closed as Library is under renovation)
Gateway Center C058A- need the key from the front desk to access
General Academic Building 542A-need key from Dean's Office (rm 210) to access
The private rooms are indicated by the universal breastfeeding logo (see below), except
for Union 431.
Each room has a wood-look vinyl plank floor for ease of cleaning, includes a bariatric
chair (rated to hold up to 1,000 pounds) covered in vinyl upholstery (also for ease
of cleaning), a side table, and a table lamp so nursing mothers can turn off the overhead
light if they so choose.
Each room also includes an outlet for a breast pump and a Koala brand changing table. There are no sinks in the rooms, but wall-mounted hand sanitizer
dispensers installed.
For a comprehensive list of lactation rooms, please use the Lactation Rooms link above.
The Texas Health Code identifies organizations as “mother-friendly” when they establish
policies to support worksite breastfeeding. The code also allows breastfeeding in
any location.
The UNT Food Pantry presented by Kroger is one of the best ways to serve our students
experiencing food insecurity. Located in Crumley Hall, in the Diamond Eagle Student Resource Center, W. Highland Street, Denton, TX, 76201
Beginning August 21st, the UNT Food Pantry presented by Kroger hours for the Fall
2023 semester are:
University of North Texas 
