Application Process for Student Housing

Track progress of your application

Housing Portal

To be considered for housing, students must submit a housing application within the Housing Portal. Each application is valid only for the academic year in which it is submitted. Students may submit only one housing application at a time.

  • Specific housing types are not guaranteed, as demand often exceeds availability. Applicants may improve their chances of securing housing by considering a wider range of unit types and locations.
  • A student may only be listed as a resident in one University apartment at a time, either as the primary resident or as the partner of a resident. Current residents will not be able to submit a new application until the vacancy is complete.
  • Current residents of Columbia Residential housing cannot submit a new application until they have vacated their current unit.
  • Check the status of an Application within the Housing Portal.

Eligible students may apply for housing by following the steps outlined below:

  1. Activate Your Columbia UNI
    Housing applications are available only to students who have accepted their offer of admission and have an active University Network ID (UNI).
  2. Access the Housing Portal
    Students should log into the Housing Portal using their UNI and University ID number (beginning with “C”). New students can find this number in their acceptance materials or by logging into Student Services Online (SSOL). Returning users may log in with their UNI.
  3. Complete the Housing Application
    Applicants must complete all required fields of the housing application, ensuring the accuracy of information such as School, Degree, and Expected Graduation Date. Inaccurate or incomplete information may result in ineligibility or delays in processing.

          As part of the application:

    • Students should review available housing options to determine their preferred unit type.
    • Applicants should indicate their preference for Gender Neutral Housing, if desired. Most available units are gender-neutral, and students are encouraged to review the Gender Neutral Housing guidelines to determine if this option meets their needs.
  1. Submit the Administrative Processing Fee (if applicable)
    A $20 administrative processing fee will take effect on July 1, 2025. Students who submit their application prior to this date will not be charged. Each subsequent application will require an additional fee.

Withdrawing an Application
If housing is no longer needed, applicants should withdraw their application through the Housing Portal or contact Columbia Residential at [email protected] so the space may be offered to another student.

Columbia Residential provides housing based on allocations assigned to each Columbia University school. Individual schools—not Columbia Residential—determine which students receive housing approvals. Students should contact their school's housing liaison for information on approval priorities, the application process, and expected decision timelines.

  • School-Allocated: Approved applicants will receive the decision during the housing allocation period.
    • For specific date ranges, please refer to the "Important Dates" section on Application Process for Student Housing page.
    • Students approved by their school who do not select a unit during their appointment, those who select and then decline a unit, and those who defer admission must submit a new application to reenter the selection process.
  • Open-Selection: Students who are not approved for housing by their school may still have the opportunity to secure housing for the academic year through the Open Selection process.

Students approved for housing may review a list of available units and select a room or apartment that best fits their needs.The list will include address, apartment number and building amenities. After selecting housing, participants will receive one housing offer.

Students who receive a housing offer for an apartment share or shared dormitory space will automatically receive contact information (name, school & email address) for their assigned roommates, and their information is also shared with roommates.

For more information about housing selection, please review FAQ | Student Housing Selection.

Students will be made one housing offer. Notification will be sent by email at the end of the day that the student participated in housing selection. In order to accept the offer, students must pay a non-refundable $750 reservation fee, payable by credit or debit card only. This payment must be made before the offer expires. The reservation fee is considered a pre-payment that will be applied toward the first month's rent. After moving out, no additional credits will be issued.

If the assigned unit is vacant and not under construction, students may view the unit by making a viewing appointment in the Housing Portal. Students may log in and click Housing Assignment to schedule a viewing appointment with the superintendent. Appointments are available Monday-Friday between 9 AM - 3 PM. Kindly note, same-day appointments cannot be accommodated.

Please see a photo gallery of a sampling of available housing on the Accommodations page. We are not able to provide photos of all units. Also note that while it is unlikely that it will occur, the University reserves the right to change student’s assignments at any time prior to the execution of the rental agreement.

For more information about housing selection and housing offers, please review FAQ | Student Housing Selection.

Accepting a Housing Offer

A non-refundable $750 reservation fee will be required to accept an offer, payable by credit or debit card. This fee is credited to the Student Financial Services account after move in, and will be applied toward the first month's rent.  

Please note, no refunds of any payments will be given if a student accepts an offer and later decides to not move into the unit. 

  1. Accept an offer  
    Pay the $750 reservation fee and schedule a move-in appointment. 

  1. Sign the Housing Agreement 
    The housing agreement will be sent by email within a few business days of accepting the housing offer through DocuSign.  Agreement start/appointment date changes cannot be accommodated within 10 days of move-in. Appointment changes must be requested at least 14 days prior to the scheduled move-in date. For more information, please review Housing Agreements & Renewals.

  1. Pick up keys and Move in 
    Please review Moving In for more information. 

Declining a Housing Offer  

If a student declines the offer – or does not make the required payment before the expiration date indicated in the offer – the offer will be voided and the unit will be reassigned. If, at a later date, a student wants University housing, they must reapply and be placed on the waitlist. 

For more information about housing selection and housing offers, please review FAQ | Student Housing Selection.

For more information on these processes please review the below: