FAQ's
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about joining the CASA community. Can’t find what you’re looking for? Reach out to us directly.
Getting Started
Membership and Costs
Housing
Roommates
Visas, Funding, and Arrival
Community and Ongoing Support
Events and Community Experiences
Trust and Privacy
For Institutions
For Community Partners
CASA is a human led transition and community platform for graduate students building a life around graduate school.
We help connect the practical pieces beyond campus, including housing, roommates, arrival planning, local setup, and community, so students can begin with a stable home base and clearer next steps.
CASA is not simply a listing website or service directory. Every student begins with a conversation and receives support shaped around their timeline, budget, institution, destination, and personal priorities.
We help connect the practical pieces beyond campus, including housing, roommates, arrival planning, local setup, and community, so students can begin with a stable home base and clearer next steps.
CASA is not simply a listing website or service directory. Every student begins with a conversation and receives support shaped around their timeline, budget, institution, destination, and personal priorities.
CASA primarily supports incoming and enrolled graduate students beginning a new chapter away from home.
This includes international students, domestic students moving between states, and students relocating to an unfamiliar city or region.
This includes international students, domestic students moving between states, and students relocating to an unfamiliar city or region.
CASA was founded in Massachusetts, and Greater Boston remains our deepest operating market.
However, CASA is being built to support graduate students across university communities. In additional locations, service availability depends on CASA's institutional relationships, local housing network, and trusted community partners.
Students can complete an intake to confirm the support currently available in their destination.
However, CASA is being built to support graduate students across university communities. In additional locations, service availability depends on CASA's institutional relationships, local housing network, and trusted community partners.
Students can complete an intake to confirm the support currently available in their destination.
CASA is an independent student resource.
Some universities introduce CASA through admitted student communications, webinars, portals, or orientation materials. Participation remains optional, and using CASA does not affect admission, enrollment, financial aid, or a student's standing with their institution.
Some universities introduce CASA through admitted student communications, webinars, portals, or orientation materials. Participation remains optional, and using CASA does not affect admission, enrollment, financial aid, or a student's standing with their institution.
The earlier, the better.
Students can begin after admission, even if their visa, travel date, roommate, or housing plan is not yet finalized. Starting early creates more time to understand the local market, prepare documents, build a realistic budget, and avoid decisions driven by urgency.
Students can begin after admission, even if their visa, travel date, roommate, or housing plan is not yet finalized. Starting early creates more time to understand the local market, prepare documents, build a realistic budget, and avoid decisions driven by urgency.
Yes. CASA is designed to begin supporting students before they arrive.
Intake, planning conversations, roommate introductions, housing education, location comparisons, and many preparation steps can happen remotely from anywhere in the world.
Intake, planning conversations, roommate introductions, housing education, location comparisons, and many preparation steps can happen remotely from anywhere in the world.
Complete the CASA intake form and tell us where you are in your journey.
Our team will review your destination, institution, timeline, and needs before helping you identify the most appropriate next steps.
You do not need to have every detail finalized before reaching out.
Our team will review your destination, institution, timeline, and needs before helping you identify the most appropriate next steps.
You do not need to have every detail finalized before reaching out.
CASA membership provides one academic year of access to CASA's transition and community experience.
This may include personalized planning, housing guidance, graduate roommate support, arrival resources, local setup guidance, access to the CASA platform, partner benefits, community programming, and continued support from the CASA team.
Specific support depends on the student's needs, destination, timeline, and local service availability.
This may include personalized planning, housing guidance, graduate roommate support, arrival resources, local setup guidance, access to the CASA platform, partner benefits, community programming, and continued support from the CASA team.
Specific support depends on the student's needs, destination, timeline, and local service availability.
CASA's standard membership is a one time payment for one academic year. It is not a monthly subscription. Cost varies depending on states and cities, please connect with CASA team to learn more
Any sponsored access, institution specific arrangement, or different pricing will be clearly communicated before a student joins.
Any sponsored access, institution specific arrangement, or different pricing will be clearly communicated before a student joins.
Membership does not include rent, security deposits, lawful move in charges, utilities, furniture, transportation, insurance, food, moving services, premium event tickets, or services purchased from outside providers.
Any outside cost will be identified separately whenever possible so students and families can make an informed decision.
Any outside cost will be identified separately whenever possible so students and families can make an informed decision.
No. CASA membership and licensed real estate brokerage services are separate.
If a student independently chooses to engage a licensed real estate professional for representation, any brokerage fee must be disclosed through a separate written agreement and handled in accordance with the laws of the relevant location.
If a student independently chooses to engage a licensed real estate professional for representation, any brokerage fee must be disclosed through a separate written agreement and handled in accordance with the laws of the relevant location.
Yes. Students can complete an intake and have an initial conversation with CASA before joining.
Membership is generally the point at which CASA begins more direct housing, roommate, transition, and year round support.
Membership is generally the point at which CASA begins more direct housing, roommate, transition, and year round support.
CASA begins by understanding the student's budget, institution, commute, timeline, preferred living environment, and financial readiness.
We then help the student understand the local rental market, compare realistic locations, review available paths, prepare for applications, and coordinate appropriate next steps.
Where real estate activity requires a license, it is handled by appropriately licensed professionals or directly by the housing provider.
We then help the student understand the local rental market, compare realistic locations, review available paths, prepare for applications, and coordinate appropriate next steps.
Where real estate activity requires a license, it is handled by appropriately licensed professionals or directly by the housing provider.
CASA is not the landlord and is not a party to a student's lease.
Housing options may come from professionally managed buildings, independent owners, local operators, university resources, or appropriately licensed real estate professionals.
The lease is signed directly between the student and the relevant landlord or housing provider.
Housing options may come from professionally managed buildings, independent owners, local operators, university resources, or appropriately licensed real estate professionals.
The lease is signed directly between the student and the relevant landlord or housing provider.
No organization can responsibly guarantee housing availability, pricing, approval, condition, or suitability.
These outcomes depend on the local market, the housing provider, the student's application, and how quickly the process moves.
CASA helps students prepare earlier, identify realistic options, reduce avoidable delays, and make better informed decisions.
These outcomes depend on the local market, the housing provider, the student's application, and how quickly the process moves.
CASA helps students prepare earlier, identify realistic options, reduce avoidable delays, and make better informed decisions.
CASA uses trusted professional channels, reviews the available information, and helps students verify important details before moving forward.
Some properties may be toured or reviewed in greater detail, while others may be occupied or managed under access restrictions.
CASA cannot guarantee the safety, condition, accuracy, or future performance of any property, landlord, building, or provider. Students remain responsible for completing their own final assessment before signing.
Some properties may be toured or reviewed in greater detail, while others may be occupied or managed under access restrictions.
CASA cannot guarantee the safety, condition, accuracy, or future performance of any property, landlord, building, or provider. Students remain responsible for completing their own final assessment before signing.
Screening requirements vary by home and leasing partner, but typically include identity and enrollment verification and may include a credit check or equivalent review.
If you don't have U.S. credit history, alternative documentation may be accepted depending on the property, such as proof of enrollment or admission, passport, visa documentation, or financial documentation related to funding.
If you don't have U.S. credit history, alternative documentation may be accepted depending on the property, such as proof of enrollment or admission, passport, visa documentation, or financial documentation related to funding.
CASA considers the full student experience rather than recommending one default neighborhood or city.
We look at the student's institution, commute, transportation options, budget, housing preferences, daily routine, and desired community experience.
The right location is not always the closest address to campus. CASA helps students understand the tradeoffs so they can make a practical and informed decision.
We look at the student's institution, commute, transportation options, budget, housing preferences, daily routine, and desired community experience.
The right location is not always the closest address to campus. CASA helps students understand the tradeoffs so they can make a practical and informed decision.
Rental costs vary significantly by location and property.
Students should prepare for rent and any lawful deposits or move in charges required by the housing provider. Utilities, internet, renters insurance, furniture, transportation, and other setup expenses may also be separate.
CASA helps students understand the full financial picture before they commit whenever the information is available
Students should prepare for rent and any lawful deposits or move in charges required by the housing provider. Utilities, internet, renters insurance, furniture, transportation, and other setup expenses may also be separate.
CASA helps students understand the full financial picture before they commit whenever the information is available
Requirements vary by landlord, building, and local market.
Students may be asked for identification, proof of enrollment, financial documentation, employment information, bank statements, credit history, visa documentation, or guarantor information.
Preparing these materials early can make the application process faster and more competitive. The housing provider always makes the final approval decision.
Students may be asked for identification, proof of enrollment, financial documentation, employment information, bank statements, credit history, visa documentation, or guarantor information.
Preparing these materials early can make the application process faster and more competitive. The housing provider always makes the final approval decision.
This is common for international students.
Depending on the property, possible paths may include a qualified guarantor, additional financial documentation, proof of available funds, scholarship or funding records, or an approved guarantor service.
Not every solution is accepted by every landlord. CASA helps students evaluate realistic paths without promising approval.
Depending on the property, possible paths may include a qualified guarantor, additional financial documentation, proof of available funds, scholarship or funding records, or an approved guarantor service.
Not every solution is accepted by every landlord. CASA helps students evaluate realistic paths without promising approval.
CASA can help students identify questions, understand the process, and communicate with the appropriate housing or leasing team.
Where negotiation or another regulated activity is required, it must be handled by an appropriately licensed professional.
CASA does not provide legal advice, and standard lease language may not always be changed. The student remains responsible for reading, understanding, and deciding whether to sign the lease.
Where negotiation or another regulated activity is required, it must be handled by an appropriately licensed professional.
CASA does not provide legal advice, and standard lease language may not always be changed. The student remains responsible for reading, understanding, and deciding whether to sign the lease.
Payment options depend on the landlord, brokerage, building, or service provider.
CASA can help students confirm the intended recipient and available payment methods. Students sending international payments should account for bank, currency conversion, and processing fees so the full required amount is received.
Never send money until the recipient and payment instructions have been verified through a trusted channel.
CASA can help students confirm the intended recipient and available payment methods. Students sending international payments should account for bank, currency conversion, and processing fees so the full required amount is received.
Never send money until the recipient and payment instructions have been verified through a trusted channel.
CASA's roommate support is designed around the needs and pace of graduate student life.
Matching may consider lawful compatibility factors such as budget, location, move in timing, sleep schedule, study habits, cleanliness expectations, and lifestyle routines.
Students decide whom they would like to meet and whether they want to live together. CASA does not make the final decision for them.
Matching may consider lawful compatibility factors such as budget, location, move in timing, sleep schedule, study habits, cleanliness expectations, and lifestyle routines.
Students decide whom they would like to meet and whether they want to live together. CASA does not make the final decision for them.
No. Matching depends on timing, compatibility, budget, destination, and the number of participating students.
CASA facilitates introductions and helps students navigate the conversation, but every student retains the right to accept or decline a potential match.
CASA facilitates introductions and helps students navigate the conversation, but every student retains the right to accept or decline a potential match.
Yes. CASA can support individuals, existing roommate groups, and students who are still looking for someone.
Having a roommate identified may make the housing search easier, but everyone involved should align on budget, documentation, location, and timing before applying.
Having a roommate identified may make the housing search easier, but everyone involved should align on budget, documentation, location, and timing before applying.
CASA may provide general process education, preparation resources, and referral pathways related to visas and education funding.
CASA does not provide legal immigration advice, originate loans, make lending decisions, or provide individualized financial advice.
Visa, funding, and lending outcomes remain with the relevant government agency or financial provider.
CASA does not provide legal immigration advice, originate loans, make lending decisions, or provide individualized financial advice.
Visa, funding, and lending outcomes remain with the relevant government agency or financial provider.
CASA can help students plan transportation, move in timing, mobile service, banking, groceries, furnishings, utilities, renters insurance, and other local essentials.
Available resources depend on the student's destination. Some services are provided by outside partners and carry separate costs.
CASA helps coordinate the pieces so students understand what needs to happen, in what order, and who is responsible.
Available resources depend on the student's destination. Some services are provided by outside partners and carry separate costs.
CASA helps coordinate the pieces so students understand what needs to happen, in what order, and who is responsible.
Yes, with the student's permission.
CASA understands that families and guarantors may be closely involved in housing and financial decisions. We can include them in relevant conversations while continuing to treat the student as the primary participant and decision maker.
CASA understands that families and guarantors may be closely involved in housing and financial decisions. We can include them in relevant conversations while continuing to treat the student as the primary participant and decision maker.
CASA's support does not end when a student receives their keys.
Members can continue accessing the CASA team, practical resources, partner benefits, community opportunities, and local guidance throughout the academic year.
Members can continue accessing the CASA team, practical resources, partner benefits, community opportunities, and local guidance throughout the academic year.
CASA creates opportunities for students to build relationships beyond the classroom through social, cultural, wellness, and professional experiences.
Programming varies by location and throughout the year. Some experiences may be included with membership, while optional premium or ticketed events may carry a separate cost disclosed in advance.
Programming varies by location and throughout the year. Some experiences may be included with membership, while optional premium or ticketed events may carry a separate cost disclosed in advance.
CASA can help students understand the situation, organize their questions, and identify the appropriate next step.
Maintenance requests, repairs, building access, payments, and lease enforcement generally need to be addressed directly with the landlord or property manager.
CASA does not replace the responsible housing provider, university safety resources, or emergency services.
Maintenance requests, repairs, building access, payments, and lease enforcement generally need to be addressed directly with the landlord or property manager.
CASA does not replace the responsible housing provider, university safety resources, or emergency services.
CASA typically responds within one business day and often sooner when a time sensitive student matter arises.
CASA is not an emergency service. For a medical or immediate safety emergency, contact the appropriate local emergency service. In the United States, call 911.
For urgent building or maintenance issues, contact the landlord or property manager directly. Students should also use the emergency and safety resources provided by their institution.
CASA is not an emergency service. For a medical or immediate safety emergency, contact the appropriate local emergency service. In the United States, call 911.
For urgent building or maintenance issues, contact the landlord or property manager directly. Students should also use the emergency and safety resources provided by their institution.
CASA offers a mix of social, cultural, wellness, and professional experiences throughout the semester. New events may also be added during the year, so we recommend checking the platform regularly for the latest schedule and registration details.
Most CASA events are included in your membership at no additional cost.
Some premium experiences, such as ski trips, special outings, or ticketed activities, may have an additional fee. Any cost will be clearly listed in the event details before you register.
Some premium experiences, such as ski trips, special outings, or ticketed activities, may have an additional fee. Any cost will be clearly listed in the event details before you register.
Yes. CASA members can bring a guest to many of our events, including a partner or significant other.
Depending on the event, a guest fee may apply. Please contact our WhatsApp Concierge Line for guest availability and pricing.
If your partner or significant other would like to participate more regularly in CASA events and experiences, they may also be eligible for a special membership rate. Contact our WhatsApp Concierge
Depending on the event, a guest fee may apply. Please contact our WhatsApp Concierge Line for guest availability and pricing.
If your partner or significant other would like to participate more regularly in CASA events and experiences, they may also be eligible for a special membership rate. Contact our WhatsApp Concierge
Yes. Please register through the CASA app for every event you plan to attend, even when there is no additional cost. Some CASA events may have limited capacity.
Registration helps us plan the experience, manage capacity, and keep you updated. We may also send registered attendees reminders and important information before the event.
Registration helps us plan the experience, manage capacity, and keep you updated. We may also send registered attendees reminders and important information before the event.
You can find upcoming events and experiences on the CASA app.
Each event page will include the date, time, location, registration information, and any additional cost or guest details that may apply.
Each event page will include the date, time, location, registration information, and any additional cost or guest details that may apply.
CASA organizes a variety of experiences designed to help members meet new people, explore their city, and build community beyond campus.
These may include social gatherings, cultural activities, wellness experiences, professional networking opportunities, local outings, and seasonal events.
Programming varies throughout the year.
These may include social gatherings, cultural activities, wellness experiences, professional networking opportunities, local outings, and seasonal events.
Programming varies throughout the year.
If your plans change, please update or cancel your registration as soon as possible.
This helps the CASA team plan appropriately and may allow another member to attend if the event has limited capacity.
This helps the CASA team plan appropriately and may allow another member to attend if the event has limited capacity.
Some CASA events may allow members to bring guests, while others may be reserved for CASA members.
Guest availability and any applicable fee will be listed in the event details.
Guest availability and any applicable fee will be listed in the event details.
CASA collects information through student opt in and uses it to provide and coordinate relevant support.
CASA does not provide personally identifiable student information to an institution or outside partner without appropriate consent, except where disclosure may be required by law.
Institution partners may receive aggregated, non identifiable insights about student needs and common transition challenges.
Sensitive documents should only be shared through official CASA channels.
CASA does not provide personally identifiable student information to an institution or outside partner without appropriate consent, except where disclosure may be required by law.
Institution partners may receive aggregated, non identifiable insights about student needs and common transition challenges.
Sensitive documents should only be shared through official CASA channels.
CASA looks for businesses, professionals, and organizations whose services are relevant to graduate students.
We evaluate factors such as reliability, responsiveness, experience, service quality, local knowledge, and fit with student needs.
CASA may have referral or commercial relationships with certain providers. Material relationships and separate student costs will be disclosed where applicable.
Students always retain the right to compare alternatives and make their own decision.
We evaluate factors such as reliability, responsiveness, experience, service quality, local knowledge, and fit with student needs.
CASA may have referral or commercial relationships with certain providers. Material relationships and separate student costs will be disclosed where applicable.
Students always retain the right to compare alternatives and make their own decision.
CASA extends the care institutions already provide into the practical areas of student life that frequently happen beyond campus.
This may include housing readiness, roommate coordination, arrival planning, local setup, and community connection.
CASA does not replace admissions, international student services, student affairs, campus safety, counseling, or other institutional functions.
This may include housing readiness, roommate coordination, arrival planning, local setup, and community connection.
CASA does not replace admissions, international student services, student affairs, campus safety, counseling, or other institutional functions.
Yes. CASA's model is designed to support graduate student communities across different institutional markets.
Each partnership is shaped around the institution's student population, location, existing resources, and most significant transition gaps.
Expansion into a new market includes developing the appropriate local housing, professional, and community relationships needed to support students responsibly.
Each partnership is shaped around the institution's student population, location, existing resources, and most significant transition gaps.
Expansion into a new market includes developing the appropriate local housing, professional, and community relationships needed to support students responsibly.
No. CASA participation is voluntary and based on student opt in.
CASA is not an exclusive resource, and institutions may continue offering students other programs, vendors, and support options.
CASA is not an exclusive resource, and institutions may continue offering students other programs, vendors, and support options.
Institutions may introduce CASA through admitted student communications, resource pages, webinars, orientation materials, or other approved channels.
CASA then manages its own intake, student communications, and service delivery in alignment with the agreed partnership scope.
CASA then manages its own intake, student communications, and service delivery in alignment with the agreed partnership scope.
CASA can provide aggregated, non identifiable insights such as participation levels, common housing barriers, readiness themes, and recurring student friction points.
Student specific information is not shared without appropriate consent and agreed privacy safeguards.
Student specific information is not shared without appropriate consent and agreed privacy safeguards.
CASA can begin with a focused pilot aligned with the institution's incoming student timeline and support priorities.
Together, CASA and the institution define the student audience, communication plan, service scope, local delivery model, reporting approach, privacy requirements, and measures of success before launch.
Together, CASA and the institution define the student audience, communication plan, service scope, local delivery model, reporting approach, privacy requirements, and measures of success before launch.
CASA partners with trusted businesses, professionals, and community organizations whose services can meaningfully support graduate students.
Potential partners can contact CASA to share information about their services, operating locations, student experience, and proposed value to the CASA community.
Our goal is not to create a generic marketplace. It is to build a connected local ecosystem in which students receive relevant support, institutions gain stronger transition infrastructure, and community partners reach students when their services are genuinely useful.
Potential partners can contact CASA to share information about their services, operating locations, student experience, and proposed value to the CASA community.
Our goal is not to create a generic marketplace. It is to build a connected local ecosystem in which students receive relevant support, institutions gain stronger transition infrastructure, and community partners reach students when their services are genuinely useful.
Get in touch
Still have questions?
Every student journey is different.
Tell us where you are going, where you are in the process, and what you are navigating. The CASA team will help you understand the next step.