Hofstra University Housing: What Students Should Know

are students guaranteed housing at hofstra university

Hofstra University offers on-campus housing to its students, although it is not mandatory to live on campus. The Office of Residence Life at Hofstra University offers a variety of residential facilities and living options, including high-rise and suite-style housing, as well as apartments for graduate, law, and medical school students. The on-campus housing has spacious common lounges, state-of-the-art furnishings, kitchen facilities, and study lounges. Students who wish to apply for housing must complete a two-step application process and pay a $300 housing deposit. First-year students are given priority for on-campus housing, and in the 2022-2023 school year, 39% of undergraduates at Hofstra University lived in on-campus housing.

Characteristics Values
Housing guarantee No explicit guarantee found
Housing options High-rise, suite-style, apartments, co-ed housing, housing for students with disabilities
Housing application process Two-step New Resident Application Process
Housing deposit $300
Housing assignment Based on the student's application submission date
On-campus housing capacity 3,500 spots available for 6,077 undergraduates
On-campus residents (2022-2023) 1,911 students
Percentage of on-campus residents (2023) 39%

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Housing application and selection process

At Hofstra University, students who wish to apply for on-campus housing must complete a two-step application process. The first step is to pay a $300 housing deposit, which can be done online via e-bill or in person at Student Financial Services, Suite 206 Memorial Hall. After paying the deposit, students can then proceed to complete the housing application online.

The housing application process is first-come, first-served, so it is important for students to submit their applications as early as possible. Once the application and deposit have been received, the Office of Residence Life will assign a housing space and communicate the assignment to students via their Hofstra Pride email account. This email will include information about where the student will be living, as well as contact information for any roommates or suitemates.

For current commuting students who wish to reside on campus, the process is the same. They can apply for housing at any time by submitting the required deposit and completing the housing application online.

Returning residents who wish to continue living on campus for the upcoming academic year will need to participate in the Room Selection Process. This process is also first-come, first-served and is based on the student's housing application submission date. Students are encouraged to review the Residential Living Agreement prior to selecting their room, as it outlines the rules and regulations that residents are expected to abide by.

Students studying abroad in the spring who wish to live on campus for the fall semester can participate in the General Room Selection Process, which is prioritized by class year. These students must have no outstanding balance on their student account, have a $300 housing deposit on file, and have completed a Housing Application. Additionally, they must be in a roommate group with a current resident who is pulling them into a room.

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Housing deposit and payment methods

Students at Hofstra University can submit the required required $300 housing deposit online for the appropriate term. Housing deposits can be paid via electronic check online through e-bill, which is accessible through the student portal at my.hofstra.edu. To make an online deposit, log in to the Hofstra portal at my.hofstra.edu and follow these steps:

  • 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".
  • Select the "Deposit" tab.
  • Select the term for which you are applying (e.g., Fall 2023).
  • Select the deposit payment type (i.e., "Housing Deposit").

Students paying by cash, check, or money order must bring their deposit to Student Financial Services, Suite 206 Memorial Hall. Checks must be made payable to Hofstra University, in U.S. dollars, and drawn on a U.S. bank.

Please note that Hofstra University does not accept overpayments on student accounts. Payment can be remitted in U.S. dollars using one of the other available payment methods. Additionally, Flywire and Convera do not accept funds remitted from sanctioned jurisdictions. The list of sanctioned jurisdictions can be found on their websites.

Hofstra University has partnered with Flywire to offer an innovative and streamlined way to transfer international and domestic tuition payments. With Flywire, students are offered excellent foreign exchange rates, allowing them to pay in their home currency (in most cases) and save a significant amount of money compared to traditional banks.

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On-campus vs off-campus housing

On-campus housing at Hofstra University is available to undergraduate, graduate, law, and medical students on a first-come, first-served basis. Students must complete a two-step application process and pay a $300 housing deposit. The average rent for on-campus housing is $5,500–$9,000 per semester, which includes electricity, water, gas, Wi-Fi, maintenance, security, and shared amenities. On-campus housing provides the convenience of living close to classes and other students, as well as the opportunity to live with classmates through the Living-Learning Communities programme.

Off-campus housing, on the other hand, offers more flexibility in terms of contract length, move-in dates, social life, and amenities. There are two types of off-campus housing available: purpose-built student housing and private housing. Purpose-built student housing is maintained by private student housing providers and has an average price of $450 per month. Private housing, such as student rooms or apartments, offers even more flexibility and privacy, with average prices ranging from $550 to over $2,000 per month. When choosing off-campus housing, it is important to consider factors such as budget, location, transportation, landlord reputation, and utilities. Students living off-campus should also be mindful of their impact on the surrounding community and maintain good relationships with their neighbours.

One advantage of on-campus housing is the convenience and community it offers. Students living on campus are typically closer to their classes and campus facilities, making it easier to participate in academic and social activities. On-campus housing also provides a built-in community of fellow students, which can be beneficial for those new to the university or looking to make friends. Additionally, on-campus housing may offer more support services and resources, such as residence life staff or peer mentors, to help students with their transition to university life.

On the other hand, off-campus housing can provide more independence and privacy. Students living off-campus may have their own rooms or apartments, allowing them to create their own schedules and live according to their own rules. Off-campus housing may also offer more flexibility in terms of contract lengths and move-in dates, which can be beneficial for students who need to move in or out at unconventional times. Additionally, off-campus housing often provides more modern amenities and the opportunity to live with non-students, which can be a draw for those seeking a more independent lifestyle.

In terms of cost, on-campus housing at Hofstra University includes the cost of utilities and other amenities, which can make it a more predictable expense. Off-campus housing, on the other hand, may require students to pay for utilities and other services separately, which can add to the overall cost. Additionally, off-campus housing may require a security deposit or other upfront costs that students should factor into their budgets.

When deciding between on-campus and off-campus housing, students should consider their personal preferences, budget, and lifestyle. Both options have their own advantages and can provide a rewarding university experience when chosen wisely.

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Living-learning communities

Hofstra University offers eight thematic "living-learning communities" (LLCs) associated with several first-year clusters and seminars. These LLCs provide students with the opportunity to live with their classmates and students who share similar passions, such as leadership, business, communications, math, sciences, health science issues, and the arts.

Two of the eight communities are identity-based. The First-Generation LLC is for students who are the first in their families to attend college, providing additional support as they navigate the university with the guidance of resident assistants and staff who were also first-generation students. The other identity-based community is the Umoja Scholars LLC, a diverse group of residential students who engage in learning centred around the principles of Umoja: unity in the family, community, and race, while examining the cultures, identities, and experiences of Black students.

Honours Housing is another living-learning community for first-year and returning students of the Stuart and Nancy Rabinowitz Honours College. Students taking the Culture & Expression course find Honours Housing helpful for discussing ideas and forming study groups. The community fosters an environment for conversations about books, art, music, and politics, alongside social activities like game nights and tournaments.

The MSE House is an LLC for students interested in STEM disciplines (science, technology, engineering, and math), where they can collaborate on projects and form study groups. The Prep House is designed for students interested in medical, veterinary, dental, physician assistant, community health, or clinical psychology studies.

The L.I.V.E. House is a community for students interested in experiencing the history and culture of New York City. They organise regular trips to NYC for theatrical and musical events, neighbourhood tours, gallery visits, poetry readings, and more.

The First-Year Connections website provides information on registering for clusters or seminars associated with LLCs.

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Residence life and services

The Office of Residence Life at Hofstra University offers a variety of residential facilities and living options for students. These include high-rise and suite-style housing, as well as apartments for graduate, law, and medical school students. The university also offers eight thematic "living-learning communities" associated with first-year clusters and seminars, allowing students to live with those in the same classes and those who share similar passions. These living-learning communities are available to first-year students, including commuters and transfers.

Hofstra University provides spacious common lounges, state-of-the-art furnishings, kitchen facilities, and study lounges, creating a comfortable and functional residential environment. The university also prioritises safety with secure key cards required for dorm access, security cameras, and resident student safety representatives monitoring entrances. Additionally, late-night transportation or safety escorts are available for students.

Students who wish to apply for on-campus housing must complete the New Resident Application Process, which includes submitting a $300 housing deposit and a housing application. Incoming students are assigned housing on a first-come, first-served basis, and the Office of Residence Life communicates housing assignments via email. While on-campus housing is available, students are not required to live on campus, and in the 2022-2023 school year, 61% of students lived off-campus or commuted.

The Office of Residence Life at Hofstra University provides various resources and support for residential students. The office is open during the week, while RA Offices and the Resident Success Office have extended hours on weekends. Students can also contact the Facilities and Management team for assistance. Overall, the residence life services at Hofstra University aim to provide a safe, engaging, and accommodating on-campus living experience for students.

Frequently asked questions

No, students are not guaranteed housing at Hofstra University. In 2023, 39% of undergraduates lived in on-campus housing, while 61% lived off-campus or commuted.

Hofstra University offers a variety of housing options, including high-rise and suite-style housing, as well as apartments for graduate, law, and medical school students.

To apply for housing, students must complete the two-step New Resident Application Process and pay a $300 housing deposit. The Office of Residence Life will then assign a housing space and communicate the assignment to students via email.

Students must register for a full-time course load during the orientation session and maintain this throughout the academic year.

On-campus housing at Hofstra University offers spacious common lounges, state-of-the-art furnishings, kitchen facilities, and study lounges. The residence halls have security cameras, require card access, and entrance is monitored by resident student safety representatives.

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