Altoona Fall 2025
Preparing for Fall Arrival
We are thrilled to welcome incoming and returning students to our on-campus community. Your journey towards higher education has begun, and we are excited to be a part of it.
Your next steps:
- Incoming students can modify HFS Contract preferences in eLiving until June 30 at noon.
- Room and roommate assignments will be available to view in eLiving beginning July 22 at noon.
- Watch for pre-arrival tasks sent via email in late July and early August. Incoming students will receive communications at the personal email address they provided to the University. Upper-class students will receive communications via their Penn State email account. Update your information if needed at accounts.psu.edu.
Check-in Information
Before arriving to campus:
- Set up your mobile id+ card using the instructions at idcard.psu.edu/mobile-id-card.
- Beginning 24 hours before your scheduled arrival time, log on to eLiving and complete pre-arrival check-in. This step will initiate card access to your building/suite/room and help speed up the process at arrival.
At check-in:
Bring yourself and your mobile device or photo ID; you may not send a friend or family member to check in for you.
Move-in Tips
- Members of your family may unload your vehicle while you check in.
- Please move your vehicle to a designated parking lot as soon as it is unloaded.
Your To Do List
What to Pack
- Alarm Clock
- Baskets for toiletries and storage
- Bed risers
- Bedding (Twin XL)
- Cleaning supplies
- Laptop, printer, and cables
- Desk lamp, desk supplies
- DVD player and cables
- Face mask and hand sanitizer
- Fan (portable), box fan for window
- Financial items (checking/savings account, credit/debit card, health insurance card, Social Security card, driver's license, etc.)
- First-Aid kit (band-aids, cotton balls, cotton swabs, cold/cough medicine, COVID at-home tests (4), pain relievers, thermometer)
- Food items (can opener, coffee maker with automatic shutoff, one set of dishes and flatware, snacks, dish detergent/towel)
- Games (cards, board games)
- Game consoles and cables
- Hangers
- Laundry bag/basket and detergent
- Padlocks for desk, laptop, and bike
- Paper products (paper towels and for suite residents, toilet paper. We provide just the first roll.)
- Reusable water bottle/coffee mug, reusable shopping bag(s)
- Room decorations*
- Sewing kit/safety pins
- Snow shovel to store in your car
- Smart TV or TV plus streaming device
- Toiletry items
- Towels
- Umbrella, rain boots
What to Leave Behind
Please refer to your HFS Contract Terms, Conditions, and Regulations for more detailed information.
- Air Conditioning units, including portable units and "swamp coolers"
- Alcohol**
- Appliances
- Ashtrays***
- Candles and incense
- Ceiling fans
- Firearms
- Grills
- Halogen lamps
- Heaters
- Pets (small fish tanks are allowed)
- Vacuum cleaners (available for use from RA)
- Waterbeds
- Window Treatments (blinds, draperies)
- Wireless Routers
* Posters and photos must be hung with plastic tack.
** Alcohol is prohibited on campus, regardless of the resident's age
*** Smoking is prohibited in all residence halls, common areas, and dining facilities.
During Arrival
Beyond the checking in and moving into your home away from home, you’ll find plenty of on-campus activities as well as areas to explore or grab a tasty bite.
Refer to the following links for What to Do, Where to Eat and Where to Stay as you prepare for Arrival.
Beyond Arrival
It's no secret that the transition from living at home to living on campus is fairly monumental.
The following resources are provided to kick start your on-campus experience with the right information.
Contact Staff
Housing and Food Services
[email protected]
814-949-5400
Port Sky Cafe
3000 Ivyside Drive
Altoona, PA 16601-3760
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