Application Process for Student Housing

Keep in mind that students may submit up to two applications per semester; subsequent applications will not be considered.

Please note that a housing application is only valid only for the semester for which it was originally submitted. Students who do not receive housing or decide to defer admission must submit a new housing application.

Once logged into the Housing Portal, you may submit your application or request changes, as needed. Eligible students may complete the following steps to create a Housing Portal account and apply for housing:

  1. Accept the school's offer of admission.
  2. Activate your Columbia UNI; students without an active UNI cannot apply for housing.
  3. Log into the Housing Portal and create an account with their UNI and University ID number (Cxxxxxxxx). For new students, the ID number is typically sent with acceptance materials. It can also be found by logging into Student Services Online (SSOL). If you already have an account, please log in with your UNI. 
  4. Review Accommodations
  5. Submit the housing application. In general, each school or program has its own application deadline.
  6. If approved by their school for housing, participate in housing selection. See Housing Selection and Assignments.
  7. After participating in housing selection, students are given one housing offer, which they can accept or decline. (IMPORTANT: Students who receive a housing offer must pay a $750 reservation fee by credit or debit card to accept the offer. Payment must be made within one business day of the offer.)

Each school is allocated a specific number of spaces each year. To receive a housing assignment, students must first be approved by their school. The housing liaison of the school or program can provide information on the housing approval process. All other inquiries regarding housing assignments, policies and procedures should be addressed to Columbia Residential directly.

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 $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 $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 10 days prior to move in date 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: