FAQs & Resources

Got questions? We’ve got answers!

Residential Life Questions

• What are the residence halls like, and how do I choose one?

  All first-year students are housed in one of the restored Victorian-era mansion residence halls located right on or very close to Main Campus. Each one is fully loaded with all the amenities, including high-speed internet connectivity and laundry facilities.

  Sophomore and upper-class students can choose to live in one of our restored Victorian-era mansions or one of our contemporary-style residence halls. Upper-class students have the additional option of 194 St Paul Street, our apartment-style residence hall.

  • Find out more about each residence hall option on our Residence Hall page.
  • After you submit your enrollment deposit and activate your Champlain College Student account, you’ll be able to log in to The Housing Director (THD) and complete your Spring Housing Application. You will receive an email from Residential Life that provides instructions for completing the application. Please note that you will not be able to access THD until after your Champlain account activation is complete.
  • Check out chm.dormroom.com where you can purchase all the bedding you’ll need for your residence hall.
• When will I find out my housing assignment?

  Housing assignments for the spring term will be made in early January, and will be viewable on your THD home page. You will also receive an email with your housing assignment. Please note that you will not be able to access THD until after you have activated your Champlain College Student account.

• What do I need for my room?

  Each room is furnished with a bed, a desk, a chair, a dresser, and closet space for each resident. You supply your own linens, including a pillow and a mattress pad to fit a 36″ x 80″ (extra long) mattress.

  All rooms are equipped with overhead lights, although most students prefer a study lamp (no halogen lights, please). Wastebaskets are provided in bathrooms but not in individual rooms. For more information and a detailed list, visit the Housing page.

• Is my personal property secure in my room?

  Theft is rare on our campus, however, because the possibility exists, you should consider leaving extremely valuable items at home and bringing a desk lock for computer equipment. We strongly recommend that students carry insurance for their personal belongings. Often this insurance is part of the family’s homeowner’s policy. Champlain College is not responsible for student property.

• What is the guest policy in residence halls?

  Typically, guests are welcome in residence halls Sunday-Thursday, 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM and Friday – Saturday, 9:00 AM to 12:00 AM.

  All guests must be visiting a particular person in the residence hall, and the person hosting the guest is responsible for the guest at all times. Guests may stay overnight with agreement from other room occupants; however, each guest may stay a maximum of two nights total each semester. Students and guests must sleep in a room, not a lounge.

• Who oversees my residence hall?

  Your first points of contact will be the Area Coordinators for your area and Resident Assistants in your residence hall. They can usually help you quickly with any concerns you have.

  The major responsibilities of the Residential Life staff are to oversee the day-to-day operation of the buildings, develop personal relationships with each resident, and help students become part of the College community.

  All Residential Life staff members know about College resources and can make appropriate referrals for students when necessary. Additionally, Residential Life staff members are responsible for clarifying and implementing the residential rules and regulations of the College as published in the College Catalog. Families and students are encouraged to contact Residential Life staff members whenever they have a concern.

• If I am living on campus, can I bring a car?

  If you are a first-year student, no – you are not permitted to bring a car to campus. For everyone else, there are important rules and restrictions to be aware of when deciding whether or not to bring a car.

  Champlain College is located in a residential neighborhood in Burlington, so parking on campus and surrounding streets is extremely limited. In an effort to make the most efficient use of our parking spaces and to maintain the good relations we enjoy with our neighbors, Champlain has developed a strict campus parking policy that applies to everyone: students, faculty, staff, and visitors.

  All vehicles parked in on-street parking spaces and in lots owned or operated by Champlain College must have a valid parking permit, properly displayed, for the lot or area in question. Permits are issued by zone, and only those vehicles with a valid permit for a particular zone may park in a lot in that zone.

  Residential students may not have cars on Champlain’s Main Campus or park in Main Campus lots except in special circumstances. Those who require a car may request a permit to park at our Lakeside Campus, which is served by a shuttle.

  For a complete description of parking regulations and instructions for obtaining a parking permit, visit the parking website. Keep in mind that in Burlington everything you need is within walking distance, including theaters, movies, art galleries, clothing stores, shopping malls, coffee houses, banks, restaurants, grocery stores, and pharmacies.

  Getting to and from home for the holidays is easy: Champlain College is a 10-minute drive from the Burlington International Airport, and the Greyhound bus station is just down the hill from campus. There is an Amtrak station in nearby Essex Junction. In addition, it’s a good bet that there are other college students who live close to your hometown and would give you a ride.

• How will I receive mail?

  Emails will be sent to a student’s Champlain email account when letters and packages have arrived. Visit the mail room page for specifics.

• If I like to snowboard or ski, where is the closest mountain, and how can I get there?

  Champlain College offers discounted ski passes, transportation and an active Ski & Ride Club. For more information about getting to the hill(s) and passes, check out the Student Engagement website for details.

Academic Questions

• Does Champlain College accept Advanced Placement (AP) credits or college credits from other institutions?

  Yes. If a student earns a score of 3 or better on the AP exam for Computer Science, Calculus, or Statistics, or a 4 or better for all other courses, Champlain will award three credits for each exam. If a student earns a C or better at another institution, credit will be awarded. Champlain must receive notification of the AP score or the final transcript from the college (you must request that they send it to us) in order to grant the credits. You can find more info on our Academic Preparation and Requirements page.

• Where can I find course descriptions?

  See our complete listing of course descriptions by searching for the program in question in our Undergraduate Catalog.

• What kinds of academic support are available?

  Champlain College offers many different kinds of support opportunities to help its students get the most out of their valuable college education. Our academic support services include peer tutoring through the campus labs and 24/7 online tutoring through SMART Space. Champlain also offers each student the opportunity to work with an academic coach to build their academic skills, such as goal setting, organizational strategies, reading strategies, note-taking, study strategies, time management, and test taking.

  Check out all the opportunities Champlain has to offer here.

• When and where can I purchase my books?

  With your course schedule in hand, visit the Campus Store’s website. Click on the “Books” tab, then continue through the directions to the “Search by Course.” Once you select your term, department, course number and section, you’ll be able to view all required books. Make sure your section numbers match your schedule, or you may get the wrong books.

  You’ll have the option to buy or rent books new or used based on availability. When purchasing online, you can opt for free shipping or choose to pick up your books when you get to campus. If you choose in-store pickup, you just need to bring your Champlain College CC ID card to the bookstore. If you choose to order your books when you get to campus after the semester starts, the staff at the Campus Store will help you out. If we’re sold out of stock for a book you need, they’ll put in a special order and pay for the shipping. Talk to a team member if you need help.

  The Campus Store has almost all books available for renting. To rent a book, you need to bring a credit or debit card, along with a valid ID (driver’s license, passport or state ID card). Students need to make sure that the book is returned to the bookstore by the last day of finals for each semester. If a rental is not returned at the end of the semester, you will be charged the difference between the rental cost and purchase price. All options can be purchased in the store or online.

  Our return policy is that all books, with a receipt and in resalable condition, can be returned within seven days after the start of the semester. If a student adds/drops a course, students can exchange or return books within 30 days as long as they show valid paperwork. When buying or renting textbooks, if you find a book somewhere else locally or online for less, we’ll match the price.

• How can I find out information about computer requirements?

  Although Champlain has public workstations and computer labs available across campus, most students do arrive at Champlain with their own computer to take advantage of Champlain’s extensive WiFi network and gigabit internet service.

  If you are going to purchase a new computer before arriving at Champlain, please visit our Recommended Computer Specifications page to see recommendations by Academic Division and major.

• If I am interested in studying abroad, what should I do?

  Plan ahead! Whether you’re hoping to spend a semester or a full year studying abroad, the key is to meet with an advisor early on to let them know your intentions. They will help you plan your academic schedule to incorporate a study-abroad semester into your plan.

  Learn more about our study abroad programs.

• Who should I contact if I have questions about my major or changing my major?

  Direct any questions you have about your major to your program director.

  If you have questions about changing your major, you may call or text an Admission Counselor at (802) 625-0201 to discuss your options.

Finance Questions

• Am I eligible for a scholarship?

  All students admitted into a Champlain bachelor’s degree program are automatically considered for one of Champlain’s merit-based scholarships. These scholarships focus on students who exemplify excellence in academics and engagement outside the classroom.

  All accepted students who complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) will be considered for Champlain’s need-based scholarships. These scholarships are awarded to students with demonstrated financial need to allow the College to enroll the brightest, most diverse students, regardless of family income. Champlain reviews each student individually and awards scholarships that match the student’s level of achievement, need, and other characteristics.

  For more information, contact Champlain College Compass Student Services at (802) 860-2777 or compass@champlain.edu.

• When is my deposit due?

  If you’ve decided that Champlain is the school for you, simply submit a secure online payment for your enrollment deposit, and you are officially a Champlain College student.

  Tuition for the spring semester is due December 1, 2023. If you have been admitted after that date, you will be sent a note about when your bill is available to view and when payment is due. You can find more information regarding tuition and fees, deposits, or payment plans or by contacting Compass Student Services at compass@champlain.edu or (802) 860-2777.

• I’d like to set up a bank account in Burlington. Which banks are close to campus?

  Banks within walking distance to campus are listed below:

  • TD Bank (A TD Bank ATM machine is located on campus)
  • Citizens Bank

  Champlain College has a CC Cash Card that functions as a debit card and is accepted by merchants on and off campus.

  Get more information about ID/Cash Card.

• Do I have to purchase health insurance? Where do I go if I get sick?

  Champlain College requires that all students be covered by health insurance, and the fee for this coverage is automatically added to your bill unless you specifically waive the insurance and provide proof of coverage. Read more about Full-Time Student Health & Accident Insurance and how to waive the college plan if you have coverage. We have an on-campus health services office that is staffed by a nurse and a physician, who have regular clinic hours.