Housing and Residential Experience FAQs

Please check your student account to see if you have an active account hold.

• Academic
• Financial
• Immunization

Students with an active account hold at the end of Fall Semester are at risk of receiving a ‘Notice to Vacate’ letter from HRE.

Account holds must be resolved before December 6, 2026 in order to avoid receiving a 'Notice to Vacate' notification. Failure to resolve an Account Hold will result in a Notice to Vacate notification and must vacate the assigned space no later than December 12, 2026 by 12:00pm (noon) CST.

Please reach out to Columbia Central (columbiacentral@colum.edu) for more information on the steps you need to take to resolve your account hold today!

Housing applications for Academic Year 2026-2027 for current students launched on February 11, 2026. Applications for first-time freshman and new transfer students will launch April 8, 2026. Applications can be found on our MCR Housing page.

https://colum.mcrhousing.app/

Filming and photography are only permitted with authorization from HRE, must adhere to the Residence Handbook, and must adhere to the following guidelines:

• Film requests must be submitted at least 3 business days in advance of filming date.
• Filming or photography sessions may not exceed two (2) hours in duration.
• Furniture or room setups may not be moved or altered during filming.
• All participants must comply with the normal guest policy for residence halls.
• Approval is required for all projects conducted in residence hall spaces, including lobbies, lounges, laundry rooms, and apartments.
• Rooftops, balconies, and outdoor areas surrounding residence halls are strictly off limits for any filming or photography.
• Unauthorized filming or photography is strictly prohibited and may result in disciplinary action, fines, and loss of filming privileges for the entire class or academic program.
• Students are only permitted to film within their assigned residence hall, unless they are checked in as a guest by another resident.
• All filming activities and film content must adhere to the HRE Resident Handbook.

HRE reserves the right to deny or revoke any filming or photography request at its discretion for reasons including, but not limited to: A violation of student, staff, faculty, or property management privacy. 

• Inappropriate use of the name, logo, or branding for Columbia College Chicago, Housing & Residential Experience, or the property management. 
• Improper use of building amenities that could cause damages or safety hazards. 
• Disruptions in normal business operations for HRE or the property management

HRE reviews all requests to ensure that projects do not disrupt operations, violate privacy, misuse branding, or create safety or property concerns.

Residence Halls Filming Request Form

Columbia College Chicago is committed to providing a safe, accepting, and inclusive experience for all students.  The College has a nondiscrimination policy that includes gender identity and/or expression.  This policy extends to student housing.  As such, Housing and Residential Experience is proud to offer Gender-Inclusive Housing (GIH) options. These living options provide an on-campus residence experience that welcomes students across all gender identities and/or expressions, including transgender, questioning or gender non-conforming students. All residential students, regardless of sex, gender identity, or sexual orientation have the option of requesting a gender-inclusive room on the housing application. 

The GIH options for 2026-2027 are available on the 3rd & 4th floor of 30 East Balbo, 9th floor of the University Center in the 4 person, 4 bedroom apartments and on floors 7 and 8 in the quad semi suites for First-Time Freshmen. Housing and Residential Experience does not use gender as a criteria in the assignment process. All students assigned to the GIH community will live with others who have requested this living accommodation.

Students may request a roommate through the application process, however, it is a request and cannot be guaranteed. Housing and Residential Experience encourages students who may require additional GIH accommodations to contact us at 312-369-7803 or via email at housing@colum.edu.

GIH requests are accommodated based on availability. All students will know the assigned living community at the time a housing assignment is issued within the Housing Portal. The assigned living community will list as Gender Inclusive Community, Honors Community or Standard Community in the first sentence of your housing contract. Students can request by phone or email to be placed on the GIH waitlist in the event they are not initially assigned to a GIH option. Waitlist requests are only accepted by the Housing and Residential Experience Office after the student has confirmed their original housing contract assignment. This waitlist will be active during the entire academic year, including the summer months leading to fall move-in. Students on the waitlist will be notified via their MyColumbia email if a space becomes available with an invitation to accept and modify their current assignment and assigned a deadline to respond. 

*Gender-inclusive housing is not intended for romantic couples. As a general rule, we would strongly advise against doing so.  We respect and honor the privacy of our students, so current procedures do not require students to disclose their reason for roommate requests. However, please note that the Residence Life Office strongly encourages students to reconsider living with a person with whom they are romantically involved, regardless of whether it is a same-sex or different-sex relationship. Some relationships are ready for this step while others are not, and there can be serious challenges for both students should the relationship end.*

Students who live in Housing and Residential Experience spaces are required to maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0. Students that do not maintain a 2.0 or higher will not be allowed to live in Residence Life, and their academic housing contract may be terminated.

Having a guest in the residence halls is a privilege, and it is important that your guests do not infringe upon the rights of your roommates or any other community member(s). Therefore, communication is of the utmost importance to ensure that you, your roommates and your guest(s) have an in-depth understanding of the Guest and Visitation Policy. Permission must be granted by all roommates for a guest to be present.

For the purpose of this policy, a guest is anyone whose name is not on the housing contract as being assigned to the room that they are visiting. Residents and their guests are expected to fully cooperate with directives from college officials (i.e., RA, GA, Coordinators, etc.) and to adhere to the policies outlined in the Resident Handbook.

• Leave their government issued/picture ID, along with their guest’s government or Columbia issued/picture ID, with the security guard when signing in a guest. ID’s will be returned upon leaving the building.
• Only sign in individuals' guest they know.
• Always accompany their guest. Do not leave your guest unattended.
• Check-in no more than two guests at any time.
• Ensure that their guests are at least 18 years of age or older
• Obtain permission from all roommates before having overnight guests.
• Know that the overnight guests are limited to a maximum of three nights within a two-week period, regardless of who signs in the guest.

Any resident whose guest does not meet the criteria outlined in this policy must submit a guest exception form in our new Housing Portal 24 hours in advance of guests' arrival.

• Residents must submit this form at least 24 hours prior to their guests' arrival. Any requests not submitted 24 hours in advance must be made in-person at the HRE office in 30 E Balbo, Suite 200 during business hours Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm.
• Any guest exception requests that are entered within the timeframe listed above, are pre-approved; however, any guest exception form submitted after business hours or on the weekend are not considered pre-approved and guests will not be allowed access to the building. (For example, if you submit this form at 9am on Saturday for a guest to arrive at 9am on Sunday, this guest WILL NOT be approved to enter the building, as the HRE office is not open)
• HRE will not reach out to you to confirm your guest(s) unless there is an issue or concern. 
• Housing and Residential Experience retains the right to refuse approval for any guest exception requests
• Failure to complete this form in advance may result in your guest being denied access to the building.

Any guest consistently present in a residence hall room beyond the overnight stay policy will be found in violation of the guest policy. A resident may also be found to be in violation of the guest policy if they are found to be consistently present in a room that they are not assigned to reside in. If a resident violates the guest policy, their guest privileges will be revoked temporarily or permanently, as well as the guest being banned from the residence halls.

All students living in Residence Life are required to provide proof of health insurance. When applying for housing, the student will be asked to provide insurance coverage information in the Housing Portal.

 The Honors Living Community for 2026-2027 has temporarily been suspended in an effort to create a more equitable opportunity for all students to reside on-campus. 

The Honors Community presents an opportunity for students, who are curious & dedicated to learning, and want to further share their passion and interests with those who are academically like-minded, to live with one another. Honors faculty & staff work with residential students in their living environment and provide additional programming opportunities for students in this community.

Please feel free to contact the Office of the Dean of Liberal Arts and Sciences with any questions about the Honors Program, or visit the Honors Program. 

Have questions about visitation policies? Or what to do if you lose your room key? You can find these answers and much more in the Housing & Residential Experience Handbook

Residents and their guests are expected to follow the policies & procedures and accepted community standards described in this handbook. You are joining a community in which respect for others is expected. We hope that you will be an active participant in a cooperative effort by residents and staff to accomplish this goal.

For those living at the University Center, along with Columbia's Housing and Residential Experience Handbook, please consult the University Center Resident Handbook.

Housing & Residential Experience Office
30 E Balbo Dr., 2nd Floor
Chicago, IL 60605-1996

Academic Year Office Hours:
9:00am - 5:00pm, Monday through Friday

Summer Office Hours:
9:00am - 4:30pm, Monday - Thursday (In-Person)
9:00am - 4:30pm, Friday (Virtually)

Please note, you will need to call in advance to setup an appointment to visit our office. All of our buildings are controlled access facilities, accessible only to those students who live in the buidling. We are more than happy to make an appointment to meet with you!

Phone: (312) 369-7803
Fax: (312) 369-8074
Email: housing@colum.edu

Students will sign a 2026-2027 Housing Contract as a part of their Housing Application. The housing is for the entire academic year. 

If you are no longer interested in on-campus housing, but you have started your 2026-2027 housing application, cancellation fees and penalties are subject to the following dates:

• Application on or before June 1, 2026: If you complete a 26-27 Housing Application, sign your housing contract (as a part of the application), select a space, and decide to cancel prior to June 1, 2026, there will be no fees or penalties associated with cancellation.
• June 2, 2026- August 24, 2026: If you complete a 26-27 Housing Application, sign your housing contract (as a part of the application), select a space, and decided after June 1, 2026, but before August 31, 2026, you may be subject to a $250 cancellation fee.
• August 31, 2026 and After: If you complete a 26-27 Housing Application, sign your housing contract (as a part of the application), select a space, and decided August 31, 2026 or after, but will remain as a Columbia student, you will then be subject to cancellation fees and penalties. You will be responsible for your time of stay in the space, 75% of your remaining housing contract, and a $250 housing cancellation charge.

We advise students to not sign the housing contract agreement if they are unsure about on campus housing or using on campus housing as a backup. Students that sign the housing contract agreement are responsible to the housing contract terms, conditions and costs for the entire academic year (Fall and Spring semesters.)

All signed housing contracts are binding.

If you plan to vacate your space at the end of the Fall semester, please fill out the Fall Housing Cancellation Intent Form in your MCR portal to confirm your end of semester plans. This can be found under ‘Housing Forms’, a dropdown option will appear labeled ‘Forms’.

XVII. TERMINATION OF CONTRACT BY STUDENT

1. Any Columbia student with a signed housing contract is bound by the full terms of the contact and is responsible for the full contractual charges for room and, if applicable, meal plan, unless a release is approved by the Dean of Students or their designee. Such approvals include, but are not limited to: transferring institutions, graduating, approved study abroad or participation in Semester in Los Angeles.

2. Any student with a signed housing contract who cancels their housing contract prior to the start of the contract period will forfeit their prepayment deposit submitted at the time of application but will incur no further charges.

3. Any student with a signed housing contact who cancels their housing contract after the start of their contract period will be subject to the following penalties:

   1. Forfeiture of housing prepayment deposit submitted at the time of application.

   2. Forfeiture of their optional meal plan cost (if applicable) if cancellation occurs after the 10th academic day of the semester.

   3. A $250 cancellation fee.

   4. 75% of the remaining contracted room cost.

For students entering in the Fall, HRE offers Academic Year contracts, which allows students to stay on campus from the beginning of the Fall semester to the end of the Spring semester.

For students entering in the Spring, we have Spring Only contracts.

The college does not offer summer housing.

Located in the heart of Chicago's South Loop, Columbia College is just steps away from the city's museums and a short bus or train ride from hundreds of theaters, live music venues, independent film festivals, and galleries. View our campus map!

Because there is constant occupancy in all of the Residence Life buildings, getting a tour of the living spaces can be tricky. The Admissions Office offers daily student-led virtual campus tours that include an overview of residence life facilities. 

If you have a maintenance request for your room/apartment, please notify the management in your building with the information provided below:

• UNIVERSITY CENTER - University Center Resident Portal
• 30 EAST - 30 East Resident Portal
  • 331-256-5131
  • Management office located on the 1st floor near the mailboxes.
  
  

  If you are experiencing a maintenance emergency, please go to your building's front desk to report the issue if it is after 5pm.

  You can also call the RA on Duty between 7pm and 7am for assistance:

Meal plans can either be mandatory or optional, depending on the type of space a student has been assigned to. Each plan includes a certain amount of meals and Flex dollars. Meals are on a fixed price, all you care to eat basis. Flex money can be used in the retail store within the dining center, where you will find snacks, smoothies, bottled pop and juices, coffee, packaged salads, frozen food, toiletries, and more to-go items.

Residents assigned to Traditional-Style Semi-Suites in the University Center are provided with MANDATORY meal plans, as these units do not include kitchens. This is about $2,565 per semester, included cost of the room. The meal plan offers 15 meals per week during the Fall and Spring semesters. It also includes $750 in Flex dollars ($375 per semester) to spend at the student’s discretion within the dining facility during the regular academic year.

Residents assigned to apartments may select an optional meal plan.

• For students in apartments, we have the 150 Meal Plan for $2,396 for the full academic year. The plan includes 150 meals for the academic year (Fall and Spring semesters), plus $400 in Flex dollars to spend at the student's discretion within the dining facility retail store.

• Students have until September 11, 2026 to request cancellation of the 150 Meal Plan.

• Spring students in apartments, we have the 75 Meal Plan. This includes 75 meals for the Spring semester, plus $200 in Flex dollars to spend at the student's discretion within the dining facility retail store.

Please understand these optional plans are strictly supplementary and allow students to have about 3 - 4 meals per week. Students in apartment units cook for themselves and use the this meal plan on occasion; perhaps only for lunch or dinner during the weekdays, in between classes. If you have been assigned to an apartment, you will have the opportunity to select the meal plan when completing your online housing contract. Flex dollars roll over to the next semester.

If you are a current resident and would like to sign up for a Meal Plan, please stop by the HRE Office (30 E. Balbo, 2nd floor). 

DINING CENTER HOURS OF OPERATION

For University Center Residents

For Non-University Center Residents

However, apartment units do have full kitchens that include a refrigerator and oven. We expect residents without meal plans to cook for themselves, and roommates often share cooking duties. Two major grocery stores are within walking distance of our residence halls, or students may order groceries on-line through a commercial provider (such as Amazon Prime Pantry). Meal preparation is an important part of the independent living experience available to our students.

We will be conducting Fall 2026 Move-In the week of August 31, 2026.

Specific detials regarding move-in will be updated and shared with students this summer! 

We encourage you to review the Move-In Information from Fall 2025: residence-life/Move_In

No Move-Ins will occur on Friday, September 4, 2026  due to New Student Connections and Convocation. All new students should plan to attend the New Student Connections for their School and the Convocation for all new students on that day, which is why there are no move-ins offered on this date.

Students must sign up for a specific move-in date and time. Students will be able to begin selecting a Fall 2026 Move-in time in July 2026. Our office is implementing a new housing portal, which may impact the move-in sign update. Our office will email students with more details as we get closer to sign-ups launching.

 Spring 2026 Move-Out

Students will be required to vacate by Sunday, May 17 at 12pm. Graduating seniors are permitted to stay and a vacate by Monday, May 18 at 12pm. 

UC Residents: Follow all move-out instructions sent by UC staff. Residents will complete an online Express Checkout by scanning the QR Code at the Express Checkout Station located in the UC lobby. UC residents do not need to schedule any checkouts via MCR or go to HRE office as outlined below. 

Details regarding Spring 2026 move out will be shared with students via their Columbia email address.

For more details about Move Out, access the Resident Closing Packet here.

Failure to accurately complete the check-out process will result in a $150 improper check-out fee. Please be advised that building management also enters every space after everyone has vacated and will bill for any additional damage(s) and/or lack of cleanliness. 

Columbia College Chicago does not offer students assistance with finding off-campus housing or roommates, but there are a wide range of online resources to help students with their search.

If you're a first time renter, here are some helpful tips:
https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/steps-to-take-before-renting-first-apartment/

And if you aren't familiar with Chicago neighborhoods, this is a good place to start:
https://www.domu.com/chicago/neighborhoods

Here are some sites we've found to be helpful in apartment searching:

• DOMU specifically targets Chicagoland renters. You can search by neighborhood, apartment criteria, or near Columbia College. These custom-built maps show available apartments nearby and in the surrounding Chicago area. 
• ApartmentPeople not only posts listing, but you can schedule an appointment with them to help find an apartment in the city.
• Zumper allows you to sort listings by price, number of bedrooms, cat friendly, dog friendly, pet friendly, and time posted. You can also search for results near Columbia College. Available on iOS & Android!
• RentHop is also a good apartment-finding tool, which ranks apartment listings by quality, so only the best rise to the top.
• Urban Abodes is an apartment service that offer the largest selection of quality apartment rentals in all of Chicago.

Once you have found a place of interest, you can enter the address into WalkScore.com to see what's nearby; public transportation, restaurants, coffee shops, grocery stores, etc.

NOTE: We do not recommend these housing options or online-tools over ones that are not listed. We also neither endorse nor have any special arrangement or relationship with the businesses listed. All dealings with these businesses occur strictly between the apartment/business/service and the individual.

Columbia College Chicago does not offer any storage for residents' belongings. However, there are many storage facilities in the surrounding area. Here are a few:

• Extra Space Storage 615 S. Wabash - 877-825-8186
• Public Storage 947 W. Van Buren - 312-429-6964
• East Bank Storage 730 W. Lake - 312-876-2000
• Extra Space Storage 1255 S. Wabash - 312-986-8400

Housing & Residential Experience consists of 3 buildings for 2026-2027:

• The University Center
• 30 East Balbo
• the Dwight

Students are assigned to these residence halls based on the preferences listed in their application and what is available at that time. Applicants cannot choose a building, so please familiarize yourself with all our accommodations.

Housing costs are billed by semester and will be included on your student bill in CCCPay. You will not receive a separate bill for housing.

To learn more about payment plan options and financial aid, please visit Columbia Central - https://www.colum.edu/columbia-central/index

If you have charges that are not covered by secured financial aid, you must make arrangements to pay your remaining balance in full or establish a payment plan by the payment deadline for the semester. Columbia’s payment deadlines are August 1 for the Fall semester, December 28 for the Spring semester, and May 13 for the Summer term.

GradGuard

Columbia College Chicago has partnered with GradGuard, which offers an exclusive Renters Insurance plan that is specifically designed for college students. Columbia College Chicago students are eligible to participate in this program containing features you cannot access with other companies.

University Center Amenities & Upgrades

**Please note that these are available for UNIVERSITY CENTER RESIDENTS ONLY!**

Resident Assistants (RAs) are Undergraduate and Graduate students who have been selected and trained to provide a variety of services to residents. RAs answer questions about Residence Life and refer students to appropriate campus offices when they need help or services. RAs provide advice to students on personal and academic problems and mediate roommate conflicts. RAs are responsible for building community in Residence Life, enforcing the rules in the Housing & Residential Experience Handbook and other College rules.

Although you will probably interact most often with the RA on your floor, please be aware that any staff member may assist you if you need help. Also, be aware that RAs have responsibility and authority anywhere in the residential areas regardless of their assigned floors. We expect you to cooperate with any staff member who is carrying out his or her dauties, which includes presenting proper identification upon request.

Columbia College Resident Assistants live in each of the Housing & Residential Experience buildings, except for The University Center. The University Center is under different management than the rest of Columbia College Chicago Housing & Residential Experience, and as a result, they have separate Resident Assistants.

RAs Serve On-Call From 7pm to 7am daily. To contact an RA for assistance/ an emergency, please call the buidling duty phone number below:

• 30 East: (312) 428-8324

Housing & Residential Experience hires Resident Assistants every year to serve as mentors, leaders, programmers, and support staff in each of our residence halls!

Applications to be an RA for the next academic year will open in late October and close on Sunday, December 20, at 11:59 pm. HRE hosts information sessions prior to the application opening in the Fall.

26-27 RA JOB DESCRIPTION

    26-27 RA APPLICATION   

We’re here to support you.

College life comes with ups and downs, and you don’t have to navigate them alone. Whether you’re thriving, struggling, or somewhere in between, this form is a space for you to be heard.

As a member of our on-campus community, your wellbeing matters to us. This form is designed to offer you a safe, confidential, and low-pressure way to share how things are going during your time in the residence halls.

We understand that it can sometimes feel a little intimidating to reach out directly to your RA or the Housing & Residential Experience (HRE) team. That’s why this form is here — as another option for you to connect, express concerns, or simply check in.

We're glad you're here — and we're committed to making your on-campus experience as supportive and positive as possible.

Confidential & Supportive

• Your responses will be seen only by HRE professional staff — not your RA or other students.

• Share as much or as little as you’re comfortable with. Whether it’s one thing on your mind or a broader update on your experience, we’re here to listen.

• If you indicate you'd like support — or if something in your response raises concerns for your wellbeing — an HRE staff member may follow up to offer help and connect you with resources.

Fall applicants: we will begin releasing housing assignments on June 1, 2026 for students who have completed their housing application.

Spring applicants: can expect a housing contract assignment as early as January.

Housing is assigned to confirmed students on a first-come, first-served basis according to when the housing application is submitted. Although the college will try to accommodate your housing requests, we cannot guarantee housing preferences or roommate requests.

Current returning students of Columbia College have the opportunity to secure their room assignments prior to new and incoming residents. For this reason, it is a strong possibility that new freshman and transfer students will not be assigned their first housing preference in their first year.

Rooms and buildings are based on availability. Although we try to accommodate room and roommate requests, they are not guaranteed. After selecting a room, you will receive your Housing Contract Agreement. Rooms will not be reserved or finalized until the housing contract agreement is signed. Students will be given a deadline to sign their housing contract.

Each University Center semi-suite comes with:

• 1 desk & desk chair, per student
• 1 closet organizer, per student
• 1 bed with twin extra-long mattress (80" x 36"), per student
  *Please note: students living in a Private Room Semi-Suite have a double/full bed
• Book Shelf
• Suite Style bathroom, shared with suitemates

Each apartment comes with:

• 1 desk & desk chair, per student
  *Please note: 30 East Balbo provides 1 desk & desk chair per bedroom
• 1 bed with twin extra-long mattress (80" x 36"), per student
  *Please Note: certain designated private bedrooms in the Dwight have full-size beds. If you do have a full bed, the room-type in your assigned contract will state "Single Rm Full".
• 1 closet w/ shelf and clothing rack, per student
• 1 dresser, per student
• Sofa and coffee table
• Dining room table w/ chairs or kitchen island w/ stools (Dwight and 30 East only)
• Kitchen w/ stove, oven, refrigerator, and dishwasher (no dishwasher in the Dwight)
• Bathroom(s)
• Central air and heat
• Microwaves are included in all apartments.
• Flat Screen TVs are available in the living rooms of the 30 East Balbo and Dwight.

Approximately two-thirds of our housing spaces are apartment-style, and the remaining one-third of spaces are traditional semi-suite units with mandatory meal plans. 

Your room type preferences and roommate requests are taken into consideration at the time a housing contract is issued. 

Housing contracts are issued by room-type preferences, and NOT specific buildings.

Room Types

Below are EIGHT different living options within Columbia College Chicago residence halls. 

The following options are located in 30 East and the Dwight and do not require a meal plan:

Small double shared room in a shared apartment ($12,576 annual / $6,288 semester)
* This consists of a two-person bedroom in a 1 to 3 bedroom apartment. Depending on the number of bedrooms, the apartment may house 2 to 6 students and will include one or more bathrooms, a living/dining area, and full kitchen.

Double shared room in a shared apartment ($13,428 annual / $6,624 semester)
Depending on the number of bedrooms, the apartment may house 2 to 6 students and will include one or more bathrooms, a living/dining area, and full kitchen.

Single room in a shared apartment ($17,246 annual / $8,623 semester)
* This consists of a one-person bedroom in a 4 to 5 bedroom apartment. Depending on the number of bedrooms, the apartment will house 4 to 5 students.

Single room, full sized bed in a shared apartment ($17,586 annual / $8,784 semester)
* This consists of a one-person bedroom in a 4 to 5 bedroom apartment with a full sized bed in the Dwight. Depending on the number of bedrooms, the apartment will house 4 to 5 students.

Studio apartment (not shared) ($19,742 annual / $9,871 semester)
* This consists of a one-person studio in 30 East Balbo.

These spaces are located in the University Center ONLY and include the mandatory meal plan:

Quad semi-suite shared double ($16,822 annual / $8,411 semester)
* This consists of a traditional two-person bedroom 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.

* The rate includes the Mandatory Meal plan ($5,130 annual / $2,565 semester)

Deluxe double room in a semi-suite ($18,406 annual / $9,203 semester)
* This consists of a traditional two-person bedroom 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.

* The rate includes the Mandatory Meal plan ($5,130 annual / $2,565 semester)

Private room single bedroom in a semi-suite ($22,212 annual / $11,106 semester)
* This consists of a single bedroom 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.

* The rate includes the Mandatory Meal plan ($5,130 annual / $2,565 semester)

Optional 150 Meal Plan
* We offer residents who are living in apartment style housing the optional 150 meal plan. The optional 150 Meal Plan (150 meals for the entirety of the academic year) ($2,396 annual) – NON-REFUNDABLE

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.

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 and the Dwight. Depending on the number of bedrooms, the apartment may house between 2 and 6 students and will include one or more bathrooms, a living/dining area, and full kitchen.

Single 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, and the Dwight. Depending on the number of bedrooms, the apartment will house 4 to 5 students.

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

You will see prices for private studio apartments and private semi-suites, but they are not an option on the application. There are less than 1% of these spaces on campus, and they are usually all secured by returning residents/students during our annual Contract Campaign.

For financial planning purposes, it is strongly recommended to contact Columbia Central.

Our professional staff will make roommate assignments following the submissiong of your Housing Application. As part of the Housing Application, students will include their preferences for living environments and answer questions about lifestyle, sleeping, and study habits. This information will guide our staff in making assignments.

Can I request a roommate? While most of our students do not have an identified student they wish to room with, there are some cases where students know they would like to live with each other. We will accept mutual requests (each student must request the other) up until May 22, 2026. To make a request, each student will need to submit an email to housing@colum.edu naming the other individual. We will make all attempts to honor mutual requests; however, reoommate requests will be contingent upon available housing inventory. 

For Fall students, room and roommate assignments will be available starting in June. 

Community Living is different than living at home. While we make all efforts to match students on compatible factors, this process is never perfect. You do not need to be best friends with your roommate; you just need to learn how to live with another person. Our Resident Assistant staff will assist students in completing a roommate agreement within the first few weeks of the semester. This will be a great document to re-visit throughout the year if/when conflict or challenges arise. Communication (or lack of it) is often the number one reason challenges between roommates arise.

The first step to resolving conflict is to encourage your student to have a conversation their roommate. If your student can also seek assistance from their RA (Resident Assistant). Please note that the RA will first mediate this conflict to ensure that all parties’ voices are heard, and a resolution is made to move the relationship forward. In the event that additional assistance is required, GAs (Graduate Assistants) and professional staff are available to assist in mediation and resolution.

In rare circumstances it may be in the best interest of those affected that an individual is moved to a new space on campus. Given space availability, this is not a first step toward resolution.

RAs Serve On-Call from 7pm to 7am daily. To contact an RA for assistance/ an emergency, please call the buidling duty phone number below:

• Dwight: 312-401-1913
• 30 East: 312-428-8324

Within the housing application, you are able to specify if you require a reasonable accommodation for housing needs due to an ADA recognized disability. If you require special room accommodations, please contact Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) office

These disabilities may include (but are not limited to):

• Learning Disabilities
• Communication Disorders
• Psychological Disabilities
• Hearing Impairments
• Visual Impairments
• Other Health or Physical Impairments
• Attention-Deficit/Hyperactive Disorder

To receive full consideration of your request, you should submit your request and all required documentation to the Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) Office by May 1st for the Fall Semester and before November 1st for the Spring semester. Please be aware that the process requires an application, documentation, as well as a meeting with SSD staff.

We recognize that your on-campus home is integral to your Columbia College Chicago experience. To the best of our ability, we are committed to ensuring your residential experience is fulfilling and positive. It is possible that you realize your original housing assignment is not the experience you were hoping for, or perhaps you have found an interest in moving elsewhere for various reasons.

Details about the Space Change Waitlist:    

Please read through the following details about the space change waitlist in its entirety    

• Only students with a signed housing contract are eligible to be considered for reassignment from the waitlist.    

• Students will only be able to select TWO room type housing options to be on the waitlist for. For example, a student will be able to select they are interested in an shared bedroom and a single.   

• Student will be able to rank their desired buildings and indicate their desired living community. 

• If you are hoping to live with a friend whom you believe has an empty bedspace in their apartment, you will be able to indicate this on the form. There is no guarantee we will be able to accommodate this specific request. Please note a space may appear empty to a student, but may be administratively held and unavailable for reassignment at this time.  

• Students may only submit this form one time. The form will not allow multiple submissions.   

• There are no guarantees for reassignment and this form is only informing Housing and Residential Experience of a student’s interest in being reassigned.    

• Students on the waitlist will be reassigned based on available bed spaces and the order in which they sign up on this waitlist.    

• Housing & Residential Experience team will review student requests, housing application, and if possible - reassign students based upon selection on the waitlist.   

If a Student is Offered a New Assignment:   

• If a new housing assignment can be found, the student will be notified via their Columbia College Chicago email and will have 48 hours to confirm their acceptance of the space.    

• Failure to reply within 48 hours to accept the offer means the student will forfeit their option to be reassigned to the new space and they will maintain their current housing assignment. Students will no longer be eligible to be considered for reassignment and cannot complete another waitlist form.    

• Regardless of waitlist participation and/or possible space reassignment, they will NOT be released from their current housing contract for the upcoming year.   

• Failure to sign the contract within 24 hours means the student will forfeit their option to be reassigned to the new space and they will maintain their current housing assignment. Students will no longer be eligible to be considered for reassignment and cannot complete another waitlist form.   

• If granted reassignment, any previous assignment and/or required meal plan will be refunded to a student’s account and the new cost associated with this reassignment will be charged to their account.  Please note the optional meal plan, if enrolled, will remain in effect, regardless of new assignment (unless assigned to a space with a mandatory meal plan) 

Columbia College Chicago is not able to offer summer housing. While some students may be enrolled for summer session, the College's lease agreements with residential properties only includes the fall and spring semesters.

Individual properties do facilitate short-term leasing options during the summer months, unaffiliated with Columbia College Chicago. For more information, please contact:

University Center
525 S. State St.
(312) 924-8000 
https://universitycenter.com/

30 East Apartments
30 East Balbo Dr.
(331) 301-2229
https://www.30eastapts.com/

Dwight Lofts
642 S. Clark St.
(312) 588-1234
https://www.sterlinghousing.com/chicago-il/dwight-lofts

The Arc
37 W. Van Buren St.
(312) 283-3331
https://www.arcatoldcolony.com/

Temporary housing allows Residence Life to maximize its use of housing spaces to place as many students into housing at the beginning of the year. Since the demand for housing usually exceeds the amount of spaces available, Columbia College Chicago has identified different spaces on campus to accommodate more students in need of housing. Students who are assigned temporary housing are those with the latest application date.

Residence Halls Remain Open During Winter Break 

Residents who are in good financial and academic standing with the college are eligible to remain in their housing assignment over Winter break. All residential buildings will remain open, and residents will have full access to their spaces for the entire duration of Winter break.

The Housing & Residential Office will be closed between December 21st - January 3rd. Emails and phone calls will not be monitored during this time. Our office will resume normal business hours on January 4, 2027.

Residents should prioritize keeping their keys and identification with them at all times during the break period to avoid getting locked out of the building and/or their room.

Residents are encouraged to call the RA duty phone associated with their building during these days if they are in need of immediate assistance from our staff from 7pm-7am. Outside of these hours, residents may contact Building Security for assistance.

Please note wait times for assistance may vary due to reduced staffing in buildings during break periods.

• The Dwight: (312) 401-1913
• 30 East: (312) 428-8324

Residents who have an Academic Year (Fall and Spring) Housing Contract DO NOT need to complete a Spring Only 2027 Housing Application!

Going Home for Winter Break (December – January) 

Residents that are eligible to remain on-campus during winter break and return for the spring semester should complete the following before leaving for break:

• Clean your space, including any shared spaces in the apartment. 
• Properly dispose of any trash. 
• Keep heat on and thermostat set at a minimum of 68 degrees. 
• Clean the refrigerator and dispose of any perishable items. Do not defrost or unplug the refrigerator. 
• Turn off the stove and oven. 
• Turn off all faucets. 
• Unplug all electronics. 
• Close and lock all windows. Close the blinds. 
• Turn off every light. 
• Turn off any alarm clocks. 
• Close and lock the door. 
• Check your mailbox, parcel pending, and management office for any mail or packages. 
• Make sure you have any documents, identification, and/or medications that you will need over the break period.