Transfer | Students

Please note: Direct Transfers are temporarily paused.

Columbia Residential understands that students’ needs may change during their time at the University. To support these transitions, a structured transfer process is available for residents who wish to move to a different room or apartment. The goal is to make moves as smooth and supportive as possible, while balancing availability and eligibility requirements.

Transfer Eligibility Requirements

To be considered for a transfer within Columbia Residential, residents must meet the following criteria:

  • Current Residency: Must currently reside in Columbia Residential housing.
  • Housing Assignment: Must have a housing allocation from their school. Students who secured housing through the Open Selection process may request a housing allocation by submitting an Affiliation Review Request.
  • Student Status: Must be a full-time student with at least six months remaining in their housing eligibility. Transfer requests submitted during the final semester of eligibility will not be reviewed.
  • Financial Standing: Must be in good standing with Student Financial Services.
  • Administrative Fee: A non-refundable $20 administrative processing fee will apply to all transfer applications submitted on or after July 1, 2025. Applications submitted before this date will not be subject to the fee. Each additional transfer request will incur a separate processing fee.

Please note: Residents are responsible for the cost of moving their belongings.

Transfer Types

Columbia Residential offers several types of transfers so students can choose the process that best meets their needs.

The General Transfer process allows students whose current housing no longer meets their preferences to transfer into an available unit.

  • Timing: Available only during October and February.
  • Unit Assignment: Based on availability; not tied to a specific unit.
  • Inventory: Options are limited and not guaranteed.

Process:

  1. Applications may be submitted year-round through the Housing Portal, but reviews and selections occur only when they are available in October and February.
  2. Approved applicants may participate in Housing Selection during this period to view available units.
  3. All available units will be displayed during the selection process. If no units appear, students should first ensure that all filters are cleared. If no results remain after clearing filters, they are encouraged to check back regularly, as inventory may update throughout the selection period.

 

Temporary Pause on Direct Transfers

At this time, Direct Transfers are temporarily paused.

This pause is in place as Columbia Residential supports the relocation of residents from several buildings within a condensed timeline. During this period, available inventory is being prioritized to ensure that all affected residents are able to secure housing.

We understand that this may impact your plans, and we appreciate your patience as we work to support our community during this transition.

What this means for you:

  • New Direct Transfer applications are not being accepted at this time.
  • Existing Direct Transfer requests will not be processed while the pause is in effect.
  • Other transfer options, including General Transfers (when available), remain available. 

We will update this page as soon as Direct Transfers resume. In the meantime, if you have an urgent housing need, please contact Columbia Residential for guidance.

About Direct Transfers

The Direct Transfer process allows students to move into a vacant room within their current apartment or suite, or into a vacant room in a friend’s apartment.

  • Room Specification: The desired room must be listed in the application. Studios and fully vacant apartments are not eligible.
  • Condition: Rooms are transferred “as-is.” Any maintenance issues must be resolved before the transfer is completed.
  • Timing: Applications are accepted year-round on a rolling basis.

Process:

  1. Transfers cannot be approved until the current tenant has submitted a vacancy for the requested room.
  2. If another student selects the room first, the request cannot be approved. To avoid conflicts, applications should be submitted before high-demand housing selection periods in May and November.
  3. Students are encouraged to coordinate their timing with the roommate who is moving out.
  4. Submit an application through the Housing Portal specifying the desired room.
  5. Columbia Residential will first confirm that the vacancy and unit availability, then check with building staff to ensure it can be assigned “as-is.” If both conditions are met, the transfer will be approved.
Columbia Residential Housing Portal Direct Transfer Application

The Group Transfer option is designed for two or three single-student residents who would like to move into a new apartment share together. This process allows friends or peers to live in the same apartment while continuing to be part of the Columbia Residential community.

  • Availability: Group transfers depend on unit availability and are therefore limited.
  • Participation: Each group member must submit their own application, and all must accept the transfer for it to move forward.
  • Eligibility: Only current Columbia Residential residents are eligible. Group members who have not yet moved into housing are not eligible to apply.

Process

  1. Each group member submits an application through the Housing Portal and lists their preferred roommates.
  2. Applications are reviewed in the order they are received.
  3. If a suitable apartment is available, offers are made as follows:
    • 2-person groups: Offered 2-bedroom apartment shares.
    • 3-person groups: Offered 3-bedroom apartment shares.
  4. All members must accept their assignments. If even one member declines, lets the offer expire, or does not respond, the transfer will be canceled for the entire group.
 

Columbia Residential recognizes that circumstances sometimes change unexpectedly. While transfers are available for the prolonged period of October–January, Off-Cycle Transfers may be considered in the following situations:

  • University-Mandated transfer
  • Documented medical or disability-related need, approved by Disability Services
  • Documented financial hardship
  • Verified change in Couple or Family status requiring reassignment


Process:

  • Submit Transfer Application within the Housing Portal
  • Email [email protected] to request an exception with supporting documentation
  • Each request is reviewed individually, based on the student’s specific circumstances
  • If approved, assignments are subject to unit availability
  • Transfer approvals and unit type cannot be guaranteed and residents may Cancel Housing if needed

Transfer Procedures and Requirements

Timeline: All approved move-ins must be completed within 7–14 days (1–2 weeks) from the date of housing selection or offer, or within one week of the unit’s listed ready date if that date is later.

If the transfer is approved near the end of a transfer period, the timeline may be shorter.

Move-In/Move-Out:

  • Columbia Residential will create a move-out notice for the current unit one business day after the transfer move-in date.
  • On move-in day, students will receive the keys to their new unit.
  • All belongings must be removed from the previous unit, and keys must be returned to the superintendent by 4 PM the following business day.
  • Proration: Billing for your previous unit will be prorated based on your move-out date. Billing for the new unit will begin on the following day.
  • Account Updates: Your account will be updated after the transfer process is completed. During this time, you may temporarily see charges for both units.
  • Processing Time: Please allow approximately 2 weeks from your move-out date for your account to reflect the updated charges.
  • Students who do not select or accept a new unit during the process will keep their current assignment through the end of their agreement.
  • Once a new unit is selected and the offer is accepted, the original unit is released back into inventory and may no longer be available.
  • If a student wishes to cancel after accepting a transfer offer, they must email [email protected]. Columbia Residential will review the request, but cancellations are not guaranteed.

If the transfer options outlined above do not meet a student’s needs, Columbia Residential encourages exploring additional resources. Students may visit the Off-Campus Housing Marketplace to review alternative housing opportunities. For those considering ending their current agreement, please see the Canceling Housing page for detailed guidance.