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 2024 Columbia Residential Housing Application opens on March 15, 2024. 

Please see below for instructions on how to apply.

View important dates here

Questions or concerns: [email protected]

Fall 2024 Incoming Students

  • In two (2) to three (3) business weeks after accepting your admission offer, you will 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 after three business weeks, please contact [email protected] to inquire further.
  • Fall 2024 housing allocation and notification are made between May 1, 2024 to June 28, 2024 on a rolling basis. Priority is given to incoming doctoral students who apply for housing by May 24, 2024.

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.
  • Fall 2024 housing allocation and notification are made between May 1, 2024 to June 28, 2024 on a rolling basis.

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 Columbia Residential.

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). 

Doctoral students (MS-PhD and PhD), please review important information below:

  • All doctoral students are eligible for five consecutive academic years of housing starting with their first semester of registration if they applied for housing by the specified deadline for incoming doctoral students.
  • Students must remain in good academic and administrative standing.
  • If a doctoral student does not apply for housing; declines an initial offer of housing; or chooses to leave his or her housing assignment before the five-year period ends, any subsequent request for Columbia housing is not guaranteed.
  • Registered doctoral students in good standing may request through the Columbia Residential Housing Portal an additional year at the end of their fifth(5) and sixth(6) years, for a maximum of seven(7) consecutive academic years in Columbia Residential housing. Requests need Columbia Engineering Dean of Students review, and approval is not guaranteed.
  • Doctoral students in their first seven years are no longer eligible for housing upon completing the dissertation defense, regardless of the outcome; doctoral candidates are required by Columbia Residential to vacate campus housing within 60 days of the defense.

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.

HOUSING PORTAL

Apply for housing, request a transfer, get building information, and more.

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]

HAVE AN EMERGENCY

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