If you do happen to rent an apartment on campus or off, you should always get a lease! I heard so many stories of students getting cheated out of money because they didn't have a contract with their landlord. Also, if you have a lease you don't have to worry about being kicked out in a month's notice. If you have a lease, they legally cannot do that. You can also look into 9-month and 6-month leases. Some landlords offer these, especially on college campuses.

The only way they can kick you out is if you are breaking the rules and have been warned. I would recommend that whether in college or not that you get a lease and make sure that you read before you sign.