Housing
The New York City housing market can be overwhelming, but Columbia is dedicated to helping its students find safe, affordable housing. Incoming Columbia Engineering Graduate students can leverage the following resources to secure housing, both On and Off-campus. Please keep in mind that Columbia Housing is highly competitive with the majority of our masters students living off-campus.
General Information
The Fall 2023 Application is now open.
Please see below for instructions on how to apply.
Questions or concerns: [email protected]
Fall 2023 Incoming Students
- Within two weeks from your acceptance, receive an email from the Office of Engineering Student Affairs to your personal e-mail address (provided during the application process).
- This email will contain your PID, UNI, and a link to the housing application, via My Housing Portal.
- If you do not receive this e-mail within two weeks, please contact welcome2SEAS@columbia.edu to inquire further.
- Priority is given to incoming doctoral students. Allocation and notification are typically made late in the Spring Semester.
Continuing Students
- If you had applied for housing as a new student, your account should remain active.
- You must be logged into LionMail to view the code. Your PID can be found in SSOL.
- Please be advised that continuing students are usually placed on the waitlist. Learn more about the waitlist process.
- Allocation and notification are typically made late in the Spring Semester.
Approved Housing Applications
Approved Applications
- If you decline the housing offer, you will lose your on-campus housing approval.
- Students will have the opportunity to transfer to other housing twice a year if necessary. However, applications for transfer are not guaranteed.
- Students wishing to change from single to couples housing will have the opportunity to transfer later in their tenure through the usual transfer process with University Apartment Housing.
Conditions required to maintain on campus housing status
- Full-time student status (12 credits per term) during the academic year.
- Housing is granted for a maximum of 5 years or the length of your original admitted degree program (whichever is less).
- MS-Track and/or PhD students enrolled in the degree program beyond the maximum housing limit must petition to request a housing extension through the Office of Graduate Student Services.
Approved Students Must Reapply for Housing in the Following Conditions
- MS-only students - if they later apply to an advanced degree beyond the MS level (i.e., PhD program).
- If admitted to a new academic department within SEAS (i.e., Mechanical to IEOR).
- Failing to graduate within designated term while enrolled in housing.
- When returning from a Leave of Absence.
- Withdrawing from an academic program.
- Upon graduation.
HOUSING PORTAL
Apply for housing, request a transfer, get building information, and more
Resident Information & Policies
Review information about policies and procedures for residents and prospective residents.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Review the Housing & COVID-19 FAQ, which is updated often with information about changes to policy or procedures.
Current Residents
Welcome to this resource section for current residents of Columbia Residential.
Disability Housing Accommodations
Accommodations are provided for students whose disabilities substantially limit their ability to live in Columbia’s traditional housing arrangements
HOUSING PORTAL
Apply for housing, request a transfer, get building information, and more.
IMPORTANT DATES
February 1 – Fall housing application opens
March 1 – School allocation approvals begin for Fall housing
April 1 – Fall Housing selection begins for approved students
May 1 – Earliest move-in date for Fall move-ins
May 20 – Engineering Deadline for doctoral students' housing application submission
May 23 – Housing Allocations begin for master's students.
June 8 – School allocation approvals end for Fall housing
June 15 – Fall housing Waitlist opens
June 30 – Last day to cancel a Fall housing offer and receive a refund of the reservation fee
September 23 – Fall application closes & last day of fall waitlist housing selection
September 30 – Last day for fall move-ins
Columbia Off-Campus Housing Assistance Office
The Columbia University Off-Campus Housing Assistance office helps students find safe, convenient, and cost-effective rentals for all students studying at the university. The office also supports students with sublet questions, finding roommates and other important housing questions.
International House (I-House)
International House is a vibrant residence and program center of more than 700 graduate students and trainees representing more than 100 countries. It is perhaps the most culturally diverse student community in all of New York City. An independent, non-profit organization, I-House fosters daily interaction among its residents through an array of programs, attractive facilities and residential life designed to foster diversity of thought and experience.
Temporary Housing
The Office of Engineering Student Affairs has aggregated some temporary housing resources across New York City. All accommodations are made between the guests and establishments. University staff does not offer assistance with bookings and is not responsible for any arrangements made with the listed establishments.
Columbia Engineering Housing Contacts
[email protected] (NEW/INCOMING STUDENTS)
[email protected] (RETURNING STUDENTS ONLY)
Housing Message Boards
Columbia Engineering - Housing Search is a group page hosted on Facebook.com and monitored by Engineering Student Affairs.
HAVE AN EMERGENCY
Call Public Safety at (212) 854-5555