Contract Renewal Campaign

Contract Renewal Campaign for the 2021-2022 academic year begins Thursday April 1, 2021 and ends Friday April 30, 2021. During the month of March, students will have the opportunity to apply for housing.

What is Contract Renewal Campaign?
Contract Renewal Campaign is an opportunity for current Columbia College students (continuing students and residents (rising Seniors, rising Juniors, rising Sophomore)) to choose the specific room they want to live in for the 2021-2022 academic year. Students will easily be able to secure a contract through our online Housing Portal.
Who is Qualified?
If you are a current on-campus resident, a full-time student, will be a rising Sophomore, Junior or Senior and do not have any SFS holds for Spring 2021, you are able to participate in the Contract Renewal Campaign. Keep in mind that all returning students must end the Spring 2021 semester with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher to be eligible to live on campus.

If you do have a hold on your account for the Fall semester, please contact Columbia Central to resolve your hold.

Graduating Students - Those graduating upon the completion of Fall 2021 semester can still participate in Contract Renewal Campaign. Although you'll be securing an academic year contract, the college will release graduating students from the Spring portion of their contract, given that they are not registered for any Spring 2021 classes and are moved out by the end of the Fall semester. We only ask that you notify our office towards the end of the Fall semester, so we are aware of your future departure.

Spring 2022 Semester in L.A. & Spring 2022 Study Abroad Students - Same as graduating students. The college will release you from this portion of your contract, given that you have been officially accepted into the program, are not registered for any Spring 2021 classes (other than the program itself) and are moved out by the end of the Fall semester. Please notify our office towards the end of the Fall semester with documentation of your acceptance, so we are aware of your future departure.

Students Currently Studying Abroad - If you are Columbia College student currently studying abroad, and will be back in the Fall to continue your degree, you are eligible to participate. Beginning the second week of Contract Renewal Campaign, you would be able to log into the housing portal and secure a space.
What You Need
Housing Prepayment
Students will need to provide a non-refundable $250 prepayment online when completing the housing contract. This mandatory non-refundable payment is applied to your first semesters’ housing costs, and cannot be waived.

DO NOT USE CCCPAY TO MAKE THIS PREPAYMENT.

Medical Insurance Policy
All residents are required to have medical insurance coverage during the contract period. You will need to enter your medical insurance policy info online when completing a housing contract.
What to Expect
The entire process will be completed online. Your participation date will depend on your housing status at that time. The first week of Contract Renewal Campaign will be dedicated to students in a Roommate Group. The second week of Contract Renewal Campaign will be open to current residents that are not in a roommate group. Assigned time slots will be sent to rising students starting with Seniors, Juniors, and Sophomores. This will allow for priority room selection for our students in seniority order. The third week will be open to all for current residents and current students. This means any space that was not selected during the first week will be available for selection.
Housing Contract Terms
Please be advised, all submitted housing contracts are binding and hold you financially accountable to your contract terms for the academic year. Do not submit a contract if you intend to use on-campus housing as a backup plan, or if you're unsure about living on campus.

It is strongly recommended that you plan ahead and contact Columbia Central to ensure that you are able to make this financial commitment PRIOR to signing your future housing contract. Do not complete a housing contract if your aren't sure what your financial situation will be in Fall.
Academic Housing
Students that participate in Contract Renewal Campaign will sign an academic year housing contract. This allows students to live on campus for the 2021-2022 academic year.
On-Campus Residence Halls
The Dwight - 642 South Clark
This building was originally built in 1911 as the headquarters of the Dwight Brothers Paper Company. The Dwight has been fully renovated, but still stays true to its heritage as a place of aesthetics and creativity. (see more)

The University Center - 525 South State
Since the Fall of 2004, the University Center (UC) has created a home away from home for approximately 1,700 college students from Columbia College Chicago and nearby DePaul & Roosevelt Universities. (see more)

The Arc - 37 West Van Buren
Originally built in 1893, The Old Colony Building is an architectural masterpiece located right in the beating heart of Chicago’s downtown loop. But make no mistake: “Historic” doesn’t have to mean “Old”. The Arc has been fully remodeled and modernized, providing Columbia College Chicago students with contemporary design, stylish amenities, and engaging public spaces. (see more)

30 E. - 30 East Balbo
30 East is the newest addition to Columbia College Chicago's residence hall portfolio. It's just steps away from the new Student Center and a block away from Grant Park. It houses the Residence Life office and approximately 340 Columbia College Chicago students. (see more).
Students with Disabilities
If you require special room accommodations due to an ADA recognized disability, please contact the Residence Life Office in writing, via email: residencelife@colum.edu

These disabilities may include (but are not limited to):
- Attention-Deficit/Hyperactive Disorder
- Learning Disabilities
- Communication Disorders
- Psychological Disabilities
- Deafness/Hard-of-Hearing
- Blindness/Visual Impairment
- Other Health or Physical Impairment
Returning students must keep an up to date annual registration for their service or emotional support animal with Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD). Students will be required to reach out to SSD where they will be asked to provide appropriate documents to re-register their service or emotional support animal.

For additional accommodations, please visit The Services for Student’s with Disabilities Office (SSD) website.
Roommate Requests
Roommate Requests will vary depending on each persons housing and/or student status.
- Throughout the month of March, as more current students apply for housing, you will be able to form a roommate group (no more than 4) and have conversations with your friends of what specific room types fit your budget, and what building you want to live in for the next academic year. All roommate groups will need to be confirmed by the end of March, before room selection and contract signing begins in April.
- If you and a friend currently attend Columbia College and you both would like to find a space with each other, you would both need to select your room(s) during the Open to All segment of Contract Renewal. Please be aware, the availability of spaces will change frequently, as all vacant spaces will be an available option for other inquiring students.
- Please be aware, the availability of spaces can change during the first week of the campaign.
Any vacant spaces will be assigned to regular applicants throughout the spring and summer.
Housing Prepayment

Students will need to provide a non-refundable $250 prepayment online while signing up for on-campus housing. This mandatory non-refundable payment is applied to your first semesters’ housing costs, and cannot be waived.

You will be provided prepayment instructions online while signing up for housing. DO NOT USE CCCPAY TO MAKE THIS PREPAYMENT.
On-Campus Housing Rates

The prices below reflect our current rates and are subject to change for the 2021-2022 academic year.

Traditional Shared Semi-Suite w/ Meal Plan — consists of a traditional two-person room at the University Center residence hall. Students share a bathroom with 1 to 3 other students. A 15-meal per week plan is mandatory and included in the cost of the room. In addition to the meal plan, students have access to a kitchenette and community lounge on each floor. Average semester costs: $7,000.

Shared Bedroom in a Shared Apartment — consists of a two-person bedroom in a 1 to 3 bedroom apartment. Residence Halls that include this room type are: 30 East Balbo, The Dwight, & The Arc. The apartment, depending on the number of bedrooms, may house 2 to 6 students and will include one or more bathrooms, a living/dining area, and full kitchen. Average semester costs: $5,500.

Private Bedroom in a Shared Apartment — consists of a one-person bedroom in a 4 to 5 bedroom apartment. Residence Halls that include this room type are: 30 East Balbo, University Center, The Dwight & The Arc. The apartment, depending on the number of bedrooms, will house 4 to 5 students. Average semester costs: $7,100.

For specific prices per room, please refer to the Residence Hall Rates.

For financial planning purposes, contact Columbia Central.
Meal Plan

Students that choose to live in Traditional-Style Semi-Suites (available only in the University Center) are provided with a MANDATORY meal plan, as these units do not include kitchens. The meal plan offers 15 meals per week during the Fall and Spring semesters and is about $2,148 per semester, included cost of the room. It also includes $752 in "flex" dollars ($376 per semester) to spend at the student’s discretion within the dining center retail store, during the regular academic year.

Students who choose to live in apartment style housing can choose to sign up for a supplementary 150 Meal Plan. The plan costs approximately $2,006 with 150 meals for the academic year (Fall and Spring semesters) and $376 in "flex" dollars to spend at the student’s discretion within the dining center retail store, during the regular academic.

Please understand that this plan is strictly supplementary, as it allows an average of five meals per week. Students in apartment units cook for themselves and use the 150 Meal Plan on occasion; perhaps only for lunch or dinner during the weekdays, in between classes. Several hundred plans are available for purchase each year and are made available on a first-come first-served basis until all are sold.

These prices are currently subject to change.
Paying for Housing

In general, payment, either full or partial, is due on the first day of class each semester. If your anticipated financial aid covers the total amount of housing, tuition and fees due, you do not need to sign up for a payment plan. If your anticipated financial aid covers only a partial amount of your total due, you may sign up for a payment plan for the remaining amount due. If you do not sign up for a payment plan for the remaining amount due, you must make all the necessary financial arrangements to ensure that the remaining amount is paid to the College. Inquiries regarding the relationship between housing costs and student's financial aid package can be answered only by Columbia Central.
March 1 - 30: Contract Renewal Application and Roommate Selection
Monday, March 1 - Wednesday, March 30

During the month of March, you will have the opportunity to apply for housing. You will need a $250.00 non-refundable prepayment to apply in the housing portal.

It is to your advantage to apply early. Throughout the month of March, as more current students apply for housing, you will be able to form a roommate group (no more than 4) and have conversations with your friends of what specific room types fit your budget, and what building you want to live in for the next academic year. All roommate groups will need to be confirmed by the end of March, before room selection and contract signing begins in April.

**Please be aware these dates are subject to change.
April 1 - 4: Roommate Group Priority
Thursday, April 1 - Sunday, April 4

Students that are in a roommate group will be able to select a room with roommates and secure housing by signing your housing contract.

Please be aware that availability may be different for next year, and your current space may not be an option.

**Please be aware these dates are subject to change.
April 5 - 9: Priority Time Slot
Monday, April 5 - Friday, April 9

If you wish to go alone and secure a space, assigned time slots will be sent to rising students. This will allow for priority room selection for our students in seniority order. Current Residents will be given a priority timeslot which determines when residents will have access to select a room and sign the housing contract.

Open Room Selection preference will be given to Rising Seniors (April 7th), Rising Juniors (April 8th), and Rising Sophomores (April 9th).

Priority timeslots will be viewable by logging into the housing portal at www.colum.edu/housingapp. If you missed your scheduled priority placement timeslot, you can log into the housing portal any time after your priority placement date.

**Please be aware these dates are subject to change.
April 13 - 30: Open-To-All
Tuesday, April 13 - Friday, April 30

Starting April 13th, Contract Renewal will be open to ALL current residents and ALL currently enrolled full-time Columbia College students. Students attending Columbia but currently do not live on campus, will be eligible to choose housing online during these dates. Current residents can also select their housing at this time, if they had not done so already during priority timeslot. As always, buildings and room styles are based on availability. Any room not claimed by current residents is up for grabs.

**Please be aware these dates and times are subject to change.
Roommate Assignments

Official Roommate Assignments will be sent via email, in the beginning of July.

In the event your roommate preference has changed throughout Contract Renewal, please email our office at residencelife@colum.edu so that we are able to relocate you to another room.
Move-In Information

New and Returning Student Move-Ins begin August 30, 2021.

If you have any additional questions concerning the 2021-2022 Contract Renewal Campaign, please contact the Residence Life Office at residencelife@colum.edu.