Hofstra University: Housing Availability For Students

Hofstra University offers on-campus housing to students, although it is not mandatory to live on campus. The university provides a range of housing options, including co-ed and accessible housing. Incoming undergraduate, graduate, law, and medical students are assigned housing on a first-come, first-served basis. First-year students are given priority for on-campus housing, and approximately 39% of undergraduates lived on campus in 2023. The university also offers themed living-learning communities, where students live and take courses with others who share similar interests. Students who wish to apply for housing must complete an application process and pay a deposit.

Housing application process

The housing application process for students at Hofstra University is straightforward, but there are a few key steps to keep in mind. Here's a detailed guide to help you navigate the process:

New Resident Application Process:

• Eligibility Requirements: To be eligible for on-campus housing at Hofstra University, you must first be admitted to the university as an incoming undergraduate, graduate, law, or medical student.
• Pay the Housing Deposit: Submit the required $300 housing deposit online through the student portal at my.hofstra.edu, or pay in person with cash, check, or money order at Student Financial Services, Suite 206 Memorial Hall.
• Register for Full-Time Course Load: Ensure that you register for a full-time course load during the orientation session and maintain this status throughout the academic year.
• Complete the Housing Application: Log in to my.hofstra.edu, navigate to the "Student Services Menu," click on the "Residence Life Menu," and then select "Residence Life Room Application." Follow the instructions to complete the application, including selecting a dining plan (a requirement for all undergraduate residents).
• Assignment Process: Housing assignments are made on a first-come, first-served basis. Once you've completed the application and deposit process, the Office of Residence Life will assign you a space and notify you via your Hofstra Pride email account. This email will include your assigned residence, contact information for roommates/suitemates, and details about moving into the residence halls.

Returning Resident Application Process:

If you're a current resident looking to return to on-campus housing for the upcoming academic year, you'll need to participate in the Room Selection Process. Here's an outline of the steps:

• Eligibility Requirements: To be eligible, you must have lived on campus for eight semesters or less, meet New York state immunization requirements, have no outstanding balance on your student account, and have a $300 housing deposit on file. You must also maintain full-time student status throughout the academic year.
• Update Your Housing Application: Beginning in early March, log in to my.hofstra.edu and update your housing application and preferences. Be sure to review the Room Selection Important Dates to stay informed about key deadlines.
• Room Selection Options: There are several ways to participate in the room selection process, including homesteading your current room, participating in relocated selection, themed living community selection, or the general selection process. Each option has specific requirements and procedures outlined by the Office of Residence Life.
• Administrative Assignment: If you miss the room selection deadline, the Office of Residence Life will assign you a space based on availability. Your housing preferences may not be guaranteed, and you will be notified of your assignment via email in early June.

Housing deposit

Housing at Hofstra University is not guaranteed for all students. Incoming undergraduate, graduate, law, and medical students are assigned housing on a first-come, first-served basis. When space becomes limited, the Office of Residence Life assigns housing based on geographic distance from campus.

Students who wish to apply for housing must complete the two-step New Resident Application Process and pay a $300 housing deposit. The deposit can be paid online via electronic check through e-bill on the student portal (my.hofstra.edu). Alternatively, students can pay by cash, check, or money order by bringing their deposit to Student Financial Services (Suite 206 Memorial Hall). To pay the deposit online, students must:

• Log in to the Hofstra portal (my.hofstra.edu).
• Click on the "Navigation Menu" in the top left-hand corner.
• Click on the "Student Services" menu.
• Click on the "Student Payment Center" under "General".
• Click on "My Payment Center".
• Select the "Deposit" tab.
• Select the term for which they are applying (e.g., fall 2023).
• Select the deposit payment type (i.e., "Housing Deposit"). It is important to note that continuing students should not select "Admission and Housing Deposit" as this is only for newly admitted students.

After paying the housing deposit, students should complete their housing application by following similar steps:

• Log into my.hofstra.edu.
• Click on "Navigation Menu" in the top left corner.
• Click on the "Student Services Menu".
• Click on the "Residence Life Menu".
• Click on "Residence Life Room Application" or "My Apps" and then the Housing Icon.
• Select the term for which they are applying to reside on campus.
• Follow the instructions to complete the housing application and select a dining plan, which is a requirement for all undergraduate students.

Students who have submitted their deposit and application will be assigned housing based on the date their application was received. Housing assignments will be communicated electronically to student Pride accounts throughout the summer.

Housing options

Hofstra University offers several housing options for students, and while it is not mandatory to live on campus, priority is given to freshman students. In the 2022-2023 school year, 39% of undergraduates lived in on-campus housing, with 3,500 spots available.

Undergraduate Housing

First-year students have the option of living in The Netherlands or Stuyvesant Hall, both of which are first-year-only residence halls. The Netherlands offers suite-style rooms, while Stuyvesant Hall offers suites with two double rooms and a shared lounge and bathroom. Both halls have Living-Learning Communities (LLCs), which are theme-based residence options where students live and learn together. The Netherlands, for example, has eight LLCs, including the Communications House, Math, Science, and Engineering House, and the Umoja Scholars.

There are also five 14-story high-rise towers with single, double, triple, and quad rooms, and a six-story complex that accommodates around 230 students with suite-style living. Other options include Colonial Square, which offers suites for two to five people, and the Stuart and Nancy Rabinowitz Honors College Living-Learning Community, located in Vander Poel Hall.

Graduate Housing

Graduate students can also apply for on-campus housing. The Graduate Residence Hall offers an apartment-style living option, which is convenient for those studying at the Zucker School of Medicine. About 10% of first-year medical students choose to live on campus.

Off-Campus Housing

The majority of students at Hofstra University live off-campus. Many medical students, for example, live within a 10-15 minute drive of the medical school, while others choose to live locally with family members. Some students also choose to live in nearby areas such as Queens, Brooklyn, or Manhattan, taking advantage of the university's proximity to New York City.

Room selection process

The room selection process at Hofstra University is conducted on a first-come, first-served basis, depending on the date of submission of the student's housing application. The Office of Residence Life strives to place students with compatible roommates and suitemates, taking into account factors such as preferred sleep and study times, desired cleanliness levels, and shared interests. However, it is important to note that not every pairing will be in complete harmony, and conflicts may arise. In such cases, residents are encouraged to communicate directly with their roommates and suitemates and seek assistance from their RA (Resident Assistant) or RD (Resident Director) if needed.

For incoming undergraduate, graduate, law, and medical students, the room selection process is straightforward. These students are assigned housing based on the order in which their applications were received. When space becomes limited, the Office of Residence Life may assign spaces based on geographic distance from campus.

For returning residents, there are specific eligibility requirements and application processes to follow. Returning residents must have lived on campus for eight semesters or less and meet the New York state immunisation requirements. Additionally, they must not have any outstanding balances on their student account and must have a $300 housing deposit on file with the University. To participate in the room selection process, returning residents must update their housing application by the dates indicated on the room selection timeline.

There are four ways for students to participate in the room selection process: Homesteading, Relocated Selection, Themed Living Community Selection, and General Selection. Homesteading allows students to reserve their current room or suite for the next year and request to live with another student in their current room. Relocated Selection is for students whose current rooms are not eligible for Homesteading, allowing them to select a similar room type from a list of available spaces. Themed Living Community Selection is for students who wish to reside in a specific themed community, such as Gender Inclusive Housing or The Umoja Scholars. Finally, the General Selection process allows students to select a room based on their needs and preferences, with priority given to class year.

First-year students

The Netherlands and Stuyvesant Hall are both first-year-only residence halls, with sections dedicated to Living-Learning Communities (LLCs). LLCs are theme-based residence options where students live, take courses, and engage in activities together. The Netherlands offers suite-style rooms, while Stuyvesant Hall offers suites with two double rooms and a shared lounge area.

Students who wish to apply for housing must complete the two-step New Resident Application Process and pay the $300 housing deposit. Once this is done, the Office of Residence Life will assign a space and notify the student via their Hofstra Pride email account.

Frequently asked questions