Campushousingfaq - Columbia GSAPP

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Housing for GSAPP Students

Housing for GSAPP Students

This information pertains to degree-seeking students at GSAPP. Non-degree students should contact Student Affairs (studentaffairs@arch.columbia.edu) for details on housing opportunities.

Columbia Residential offers a limited number of University Apartment Housing (UAH) units to degree-seeking GSAPP students. It is GSAPP’s policy to conduct a lottery in order to fairly distribute these units (also known as housing allocations) among applicants. Priority is given to students traveling long distances and relocating to NYC from the farthest away.

The first round of the lottery takes place in late April or early May every year. Following the first lottery, GSAPP will continue to hold subsequent rounds of the lottery until all spots are claimed. All applicants will be notified of the lottery results, regardless of whether they have been selected or not.

Campus housing is limited, and there is no guarantee that students who apply for housing will be selected in the lottery, including those who are moving to New York from very far away. However, all interested students should apply. Students who do not receive an allocation through the lottery will automatically enter the Open Housing Selection process and may be eligible to receive campus housing at a later date, depending on availability.

Important Notes on Campus Housing

GSAPP students who receive housing through the GSAPP housing lottery can live on campus for the duration of their enrollment in the program they were first admitted to.

GSAPP students who receive housing through the Open Housing Selection process can remain in their unit through May 31 of the current academic year, or earlier if the student’s affiliation ends sooner. GSAPP does not guarantee extensions for students who will be enrolled at GSAPP beyond May 31.

Dual degree students who apply and commit to two degree programs during the same application cycle can live on campus for the duration of their enrollment in both programs. Students who enroll at GSAPP in a single degree program and later add a second degree program are not guaranteed an extension on their housing to accommodate their extended enrollment.

It is critically important to choose the correct program and enter the correct date of your anticipated graduation date on your housing application, as the length of your housing agreement is determined by this information. GSAPP cannot approve housing extensions for students who enter incorrect information on their application.

Applicants are responsible for reviewing all information, policies, and procedures on the Columbia Residential website before submitting an application. Applicants may also review all Columbia University Policies pertaining to housing and other campus resources.

On-Campus Housing FAQs

Q: What kind of apartments are available?
A: Columbia Residential manages 150 apartment buildings, primarily in the Morningside Heights, Manhattan Valley, and Manhattanville neighborhoods, spanning from 103rd Street to 125th Street. A variety of housing options are available, including dormitory-style suites, shared apartments, and a limited number of studio and one-bedroom units, which are prioritized for couples and families. A small number of larger units are available for students with children.

Q: What is the difference between living on-campus and off-campus?
A: Living on-campus means living in a Columbia-owned apartment received through the GSAPP housing lottery or the Open Housing Selection process. Students in on-campus housing pay rent through their Columbia student accounts. Many of the “on-campus” apartments are located in the areas near campus. Students who live “off-campus” do not live in Columbia-owned buildings and do not sign a housing agreement through Columbia Residential. Students in “off-campus” apartments may also live very close to campus in the same neighborhoods as many “on-campus” apartments.

Q: How much does it cost to rent a campus apartment?
A: The cost depends on the type of unit you select. For estimated costs, please visit the Columbia Residential website.

Q: I want to live on campus but I wasn’t selected in the lottery. What can I do?
A: Students who do not receive an allocation through the lottery will automatically enter the Open Housing Selection process and may be eligible to receive campus housing at a later date, depending on availability.

Q: Do I have to move out of my apartment during winter/summer break?
A: No. Students who sign housing agreements with Columbia Residential can live in their unit year-round until their housing agreement concludes.

Q: I am a second/third year student at GSAPP. Can I still apply for housing?
A: Yes, continuing students may apply for housing as long as they have a minimum of one semester left in their program. Continuing students are not included in the first round of the GSAPP lottery in order to prioritize incoming students.

Q: I am a non-degree student at GSAPP. Can I apply for housing?
A: Columbia Residential Housing is available to degree candidates only. Students in the Introduction to Architecture and New York/Paris programs should email studentaffairs@arch.columbia.edu for housing inquiries.

Off-Campus Housing

Students are encouraged to explore off-campus housing options in addition to submitting an application for on-campus housing. Students who are not selected in the GSAPP housing lottery or those who do not wish to live in campus housing can reference these resources for locating off-campus housing:

Off Campus Housing Marketplace (UNI login required)
International House