Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I join an academic living community (ALC)?

Connect with faculty outside the classroom and have additional opportunities to gain knowledge from an expert in your area of study.
Socialize with other students who have similar interests and goals as you.
Interact with peer mentors who are successful in the same academic field as you.
Learn about additional career opportunities and develop industry skills to be successful in your future.

Will living in the ALC help me academically?

Studies have shown that students residing in academic living communities have higher academic success rates, GPAs, and have a greater satisfaction with their overall academic experience.

Northwest students that participate in the ALC program retain at an 85% rate from freshman to sophomore year.

How much does the ALC cost?

The fall 2021 ALC fee is $35 per student. The fee is used to offset a small portion of the programming and additional opportunities available through the academic living community initiative.

How do I sign-up for an ALC?

Apply for a Fall 2021 community by completing your housing application in CatPAWS and submitting the $50 prepayment. As you begin the housing application, select the Academic Living Community application. Please contact the Office of Residential Life for questions related to the housing application. For questions on the ALC initiative, please contact the Student Success Center at 660.562.1726.

Steps to apply for housing

1	Log in to CatPAWS a. USER ID b. PIN
2	Select "Housing" tab
3	Navigate into the Housing System
4	Click "New/Returning Students"
5	Click "Fall 2021"
6	Click "Start Your Application" in Option 1: Academic Living Community or Option 2: First-Year Housing
7	Complete application
8	Submit prepayment to secure *your place*

Mark your calendar!

Housing applications for Fall 2021 will be available at 9 a.m., Monday, November 2.

All academic living communities will reside in Tower Suites West or South Complex. Floor assignments below. Please note that your roommate must also be a member of the same ALC.

Agricultural Sciences: 1st and 2nd floor Tower Suites West
Business: 3rd floor South Complex
Communication & Mass Media: 2nd floor South Complex
Computer Science & Information Systems: 3rd floor South Complex
Education: 3rd floor South Complex
Health Sciences & Wellness: 2nd floor South Complex
Honors Program: 3rd floor South Complex
Mathematics & Statistics: 3rd floor Tower Suites West
Natural Sciences: 3rd floor Tower Suites West

If I apply, does that mean I am automatically put in the ALC?

There are many students interested in the academic living communities, and therefore the space is limited. Your ALC status will be communicated via email within two weeks of your application submission.

Can I request a roommate?

Yes, you can request a roommate only if they selected to live in the same academic living community.

What happens if I change my major?

If you change your major to something outside the participating schools and departments before classes begin, your housing will need re-assigned and your class schedule may need revised. Should you change your major after the start of classes in the fall, your housing will be reviewed and may need to be re-assigned.

I have questions on the ALC program. Who should I contact?

If your questions are directly related to your major or coursework, please contact the academic coordinator for your community. If you have general questions about the ALC program, please contact the Academic Success & Retention unit at 660.562.1726.