The Division of Campus Residences Stony Brook University
Telephone: (631) 632-6966
Fax: (631) 632-9211
E-mail Address: reside@stonybrook.edu
General Housing Information: www.studentaffairs.stonybrook.edu/res/
Frequently Asked Questions About Graduate and Family Housing
| Please Note: The application deadline is May 15 for the summer and fall semesters. |
Q. Are all new graduate students guaranteed housing?
Q. What if I’m applying for spring semester housing?
Q. How much does it cost to live on campus as a graduate student?
Q. Do I need to send a deposit in order to secure my housing?
Q. How will I be notified of my housing assignment?
Q. When do I check into my assignment?
Q. Once I arrive on campus how do I pay for my housing?
Q. Are there any conditions under which I may be able to terminate my housing agreement?
Q. Can I bring and/or purchase personal items to make my stay in graduate housing more comfortable?
Q. If I have more questions, whom can I contact?
Q. Are all new graduate students guaranteed housing?
A. Yes. All new international and domestic graduate students are guaranteed housing as long as his or her advance housing deposit and housing request are received by the fall application deadline, which is May 15. Please note that the application process is an online process. You must fill out the New Graduate Student Preference Form at http://www.stonybrook.edu/solar and remit your $200 housing deposit by May 15 to be guaranteed housing. To honor the May 15 deadline, some portion of new admits will be assigned to temporary spaces for the first several weeks of the semester.
Q. What if I’m applying for spring semester housing?
A. There is no official application deadline for the spring semester as spaces are assigned based on availability. If you are applying for spring semester housing, it is best to get your application and deposit in as soon as possible.
Q. Am I guaranteed to get the specific housing accommodation I request (i.e., a sole occupancy space for a single student applicant or a one-bedroom apartment for a family applicant)?
A. No, housing accommodations will be provided based on availability and the date your application was received. In general, single students should expect to be assigned to a shared bedroom in Chapin or The West Apartments. Family housing is not guaranteed. In the case that you receive family housing accommodations, you should assume that you will be assigned a one-bedroom apartment.
Q. How much does it cost to live on campus as a graduate student?
A. Prices vary depending on your specific housing accommodations. Estimated costs are listed on the Campus Residences Web site, www.studentaffairs.stonybrook.edu/res/rates.shtml
Q. Do I need to send a deposit in order to secure my housing?
A. Yes. There is a $200 advance payment, which will be applied to your first month of fall rent. The University accepts checks, money orders, MasterCard, Visa, Discover, and American Express.
Q. How will I be notified of my housing assignment?
A.You will receive correspondence via mail or email regarding your housing assignment. Please note that Campus Residences reserves the right to reassign residents.
Q. When do I check into my assignment?
A.You may check into your assignment as early as one week prior to the start of classes. Rent will begin on the date you sign your housing agreement and pick up your keys. Check-in will be held in the Chapin and/or Schomburg/West College Offices. The Chapin Quad Office is in the Chapin Commons, adjacent to Building A, and is open from 8:30 am to 9:00 pm. The Schomburg College Office is located in the Schomburg Commons and is open from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm. The West Apartments College Office is located in the E building of West and is open from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm. There are RAs on duty to check you in when the offices in Schomburg, West, and Chapin are closed. However, to ensure the best possible check-in experience, we encourage you to make every effort to arrive during business hours.
Q. Once I arrive on campus how do I pay for my housing?
A.When you arrive on campus and sign your Housing Agreement (a one-year agreement), you will be billed as of that date. Depending on when you arrive, your bill will be pro-rated (billed per day) for the first month. Every additional month will be billed at the full monthly rate. You should pay your rent on a monthly basis, by the 10th of each month. The University allows students to pay by cash, check, money order, or credit card.
Q. Are there any conditions under which I may be able to terminate my housing agreement?
A. Residents who terminate their agreement prior to the end of the agreement period will be financially responsible for rent through the last day of their agreement. Exceptions will be made for the following circumstances:
Residents who terminate their housing agreement will lose future priority for housing. Residents wishing to terminate an apartment agreement must provide written notice of their intent to cancel their housing agreement to the Office of Campus Residences.
Q. What if I change my mind, and decide not to attend Stony Brook University. Will I be refunded my $200 deposit?
A. Cancellations received in writing prior to 15 days before the start of classes will be eligible for a $100 credit of their initial room deposit.
Q. Can I bring and/or purchase personal items to make my stay in graduate housing more comfortable?
A. Given that all graduate housing is apartment style (i.e., equipped with kitchen facilities), it is important to bring and/or purchase cooking and eating utensils. You should also bring and/or purchase bedding (i.e., pillows, blankets, and sheets) as well as an extra light source for studying. You can purchase anything you need when you arrive, as there are plenty of affordable stores in the area to purchase living essentials. If you are assigned to The West Apartments, you will need to bring a telephone.
Q. If I have more questions, whom can I contact?
A. Contact the Apartment Housing Coordinator at (631) 632-4863.