Annalee Barbar
Connector Contributor
Transportation Services, Student and Family Support Services and The Solution Center described resources available to commuter students, including parking and shuttle services, off-campus housing support and assistance with financial aid, billing, class registration and transcripts.
With 63% of undergraduate students commuting, according to 2019 University data, these resources play an essential role in supporting students’ daily needs. From navigating transportation to securing housing and handling administrative tasks, commuter students often depend on multiple offices to stay on track academically and financially.
Transportation Services at UMass Lowell manages the shuttle bus lines that connect all of the school’s campuses. The department also works with the Lowell Regional Transit Authority (LRTA) to help students travel to and from campus. Nathan Klosowski, Assistant Director of Transportation and Fleet Management at UMass Lowell, explained that many students may not realize the usefulness of the regional bus system. The LRTA network connects Lowell with several surrounding communities, though buses typically run every 30 minutes at most, and many routes run hourly. Because of this, he said students may need to plan their trips in advance. “I think a lot of students probably don’t know how useful the LRTA could be,” Klosowski said. The LRTA is free for everyone, but has always been free for UMass Lowell students.
While regional transit provides one option for reaching campus, parking services also play an important role in supporting commuter students. UCard, Access and Parking Services (UCAPS) also supports commuter students by managing parking permits and campus access. Evan Fallon, Associate Director of Business and Service Operations for UCAPS at UMass Lowell, said one option many students overlook is the campus carpool program, which allows commuters who share a vehicle to split the cost of a parking permit and access designated spaces closer to campus buildings. “We do have a carpool program on campus that I don’t think a lot of kids take advantage of,” Fallon said. This program allows two commuter students to share a vehicle, split the cost of a permit, and park in more convenient locations. On the UMass Lowell official website under The Office of Sustainability, students can find the carpooling guidelines and application.
Students also have access to metered parking lots across campus with a two-hour limit. These spaces are intended for short visits, such as stopping by the bookstore or running a quick errand. Students can pay for metered parking through the ParkMobile app, which allows them to manage parking from their phones. Because the lots are small, the time limit helps ensure parking remains available for students and visitors who only need brief access to campus.
Beyond transportation and parking resources, the university also offers support for students searching for off-campus housing. Marshall Greenleaf, Director of Student and Family Support Services at UMass Lowell, explained that availability, cost and location are common hurdles. “Finding an apartment or some off-campus housing, sometimes can be a little bit challenging. Depending on when people are looking and things like the size and location of the apartment,” he said.
UMass Lowell partners with On Campus Partners, a company that manages apartment listings for colleges and universities. The platform allows students to search for housing based on amenities, proximity to transportation and nearby services such as grocery stores or childcare. It also includes a roommate-matching feature limited to verified UMass Lowell students and provides resources on topics such as reading leases and understanding tenant rights, helping students make more informed housing decisions.
Greenleaf’s advice to students is to conduct thorough research, visit the apartment or property in person, and if this is not possible, look at photos and read reviews if they are available. He also stressed the importance of understanding the lease and having a second set of eyes reviewing it, because it is difficult to go back once it is signed.
The Solution Center at UMass Lowell provides a “one-stop” hub for student administrative needs, including financial aid, billing, class registration and transcripts. Angela Glaude, Associate Director, explained that the center serves all types of students, including undergraduate, graduate, on-campus and online students through in-person visits, phone and email.
The center assists with FAFSA questions, financial aid awards, scholarship inquiries, course registration issues and student billing, including payment plans and reimbursement requests. Glaude said the most common question students ask is about financial aid awards and how much of their bill will be covered. She encouraged students to use the center’s frequently asked questions page, noting that it is often underutilized. “Just knowing that we’re here, that’s the big thing, is realizing that we’re here, what we do for students, and coming in, calling or emailing,” Glaude said.
Commuter students at UMass Lowell navigate a complex mix of transportation, housing and administrative challenges. The university’s resources help make daily life more manageable. Students are encouraged to explore these services and visit the offices’ websites, as there may be tools and support they haven’t yet discovered.
