Eligibility
Housing offers undergraduate students four years (8 semesters) of on-campus housing as long as students maintain their eligible status. Please review the information below to confirm your eligibility for Room Selection.
Who is Eligible for Room Selection?
Room Selection is open to all currently enrolled first-year, sophomore, and junior undergraduates in Columbia College or the School of Engineering and Applied Science who reside in Columbia Housing, are studying abroad with a Columbia-approved program, or are first-year students approved to commute.
Students who are enrolled in the specific 4-1 SEAS programs or ASP program are guaranteed 10 semesters of Housing, provided they meet all other eligibility requirements. These students participate in Room Selection with rising senior status (40 points).
Students who entered Columbia with the 3-2 Combined Plan SEAS program are guaranteed housing only their first year of the program. For their second year, 74 students are selected through the 3-2 Combined Plan lottery that takes place during fall semester. Students selected will be able to participate in Room Selection with rising senior status (40 points).
Who is Ineligible?
Non-guaranteed students are not eligible to participate in Room Selection. Students lose their guaranteed housing status if they have taken a voluntary leave of absence, moved off campus, were forced to withdraw, or lost housing for another judicial reason.
Non-guaranteed students may submit a Housing Application in June to request on-campus housing for the upcoming academic year. Applicants are placed on a housing waitlist and prioritized according to class standing, their permanent residence's proximity to campus, and date of application. Waitlist applicants are assigned to vacancies once all guaranteed students are assigned and as rooms become available, either prior to or after the start of the semester.
Housing availability for non-guaranteed students is assessed over the summer and is generally not known prior to the start of the academic year.
Students who are readmitted by their school’s Advising Dean may apply for Housing for the upcoming year as a non-guaranteed student. The non-guaranteed student application opens in June.
Applicants are placed on a housing waitlist and prioritized according to class standing, their permanent residence's proximity to campus, and date of application. Waitlist applicants are assigned to vacancies once all guaranteed students are assigned and as rooms become available, either prior to or after the start of the semester.
Housing availability for non-guaranteed students is assessed over the summer and is generally not known prior to the start of the academic year.
Barnard Students, with current Junior, Sophomore or First-Year standing are not eligible to participate in Columbia Housing Room Selection.
Visiting and exchange students are not eligible to participate in Room Selection.
Students who moved off campus are not eligible for Room Selection but may apply as a Non-Guaranteed student. The non-guaranteed student application opens in June.
Applicants are placed on a housing waitlist and prioritized according to class standing, their permanent residence's proximity to campus, and date of application. Waitlist applicants are assigned to vacancies once all guaranteed students are assigned and as rooms become available, either prior to or after the start of the semester.
Housing availability for non-guaranteed students is assessed over the summer and is generally not known prior to the start of the academic year.
Current Seniors in Columbia College or SEAS who have been accepted into a Columbia graduate program are not eligible. Such students should apply for Graduate Housing through Columbia Residential.