Navigating CSUN Student Housing: A Comprehensive Guide

Choosing where to live is a crucial part of the college experience. At California State University, Northridge (CSUN), Student Housing and Residential Life strives to create a welcoming and supportive environment for all Matadors. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of CSUN's on-campus housing options, application procedures, and important considerations for prospective and current residents.

Why Choose CSUN Student Housing?

CSUN Student Housing offers more than just a place to sleep. It provides a connected living-learning experience designed to support students in reaching their academic and personal goals. Convenience, safety, academic assistance, and constant support are built into the Student Housing system. As Dr. says, "It is with great pride and pleasure that I personally welcome you to CSUN Student Housing. The Student Housing team is very excited to have you join our community! We are committed to creating a living environment that fosters a strong sense of inclusion and belonging for every Matador calling Student Housing their home. It is important to remember that as a resident, you are truly part of a something bigger than just yourself."

Available Housing Options

Student Housing offers multiple options ideally suited for the various members of our student population. Here's a breakdown of the available choices:

The Suites: These are a unique living concept designed primarily for freshmen and sophomores, making them a recommended option for first-year students. Spaces are still available within The Suite Double without Kitchens.
Learning Communities: These communities allow students to live in a building or on a floor dedicated to a specific major, academic program, or theme. This provides a focused and supportive environment for students with shared interests.

Read also: Student Accessibility Services at USF
Gender Inclusive Housing: Designed for LGBTQIA+ students and their allies who do not feel comfortable expressing their identity in a traditional same-gender housing space. Gender Inclusive Housing allows students to live with roommates and suitemates regardless of gender identity. Student housing offers gender-neutral housing to all students.
The Village Apartments (Family Housing): These apartments are designed for CSUN students with dependent children and/or spouses. There is currently a waitlist for family housing.

It is important to review your housing options to make sure you select the option that will suit you best.

Application Process: A Step-by-Step Guide

Applying for student housing at CSUN involves several key steps. It's crucial to understand the process to ensure a smooth application. You can apply for housing before you are officially admitted to CSUN.

Step 1: Access the Student Housing Portal

The Student Housing Portal is your central hub for all housing-related activities.

Read also: Guide to UC Davis Student Housing

Step 2: Choose the Application Term

Select the application term appropriate to you and select Apply.

Undergraduate or graduate students: select Academic Year 2025-2026 application.
Students with spouses and/or dependent children: select Village Apartments Family 2025-2026 application.
Students part of the Tseng College IPP and SAC programs: select IPP Fall 2025 application.

To apply for spring 2026, please join our waitlist so we can verify your eligibility.

Read also: Investigating the Death at Purdue

Step 3: Complete the Application

Complete all required sections of the application, review/sign the license agreement, and pay the application fee. There is a $50 housing application fee and a $50 meal plan application fee (if applicable) to submit your application. Note: If you are under the age of 18, your parent or guardian will need to sign your license agreement.

Important Considerations:

First-Come, First-Served: Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Once the application is live, spaces can fill up quickly. Don't wait to apply.
Waitlist: Student Housing has started a waitlist for the 2025-2026 academic year. If you intend to live on campus, please log into the Student Housing Portal and add yourself to the waitlist. CSUN has a total enrollment of 36,848, but only 3,290 bed spaces are currently available at The Park Apartments and Suites for the 2025/26 academic year. Once our application opened, spaces filled up quickly and we started a waitlist.
University Village Apartments Waitlist: If you are currently on the University Village Apartments waitlist for the 2025-2026 year, offers will start to go out in late May and continue on a rolling basis through the summer as spaces become available.
Room and Roommate Selection: Residents are able to select their own rooms and roommates.

Move-In Information and Check-In Procedures

Preparing for move-in day is essential for a smooth transition into Student Housing. Here's what you need to know:

Know your move-in info and room assignment: Visit your Student Housing Portal to confirm your room assignment and move-in date.
Activate your CSUN MataCard before move-in: Your MataCard is required in order to move in; you will not be able to check-in without it.
Complete online check-in: You must review and sign the online check-in form located in the Student Housing Portal one hour before arriving at Student Housing. First Step: Complete online check-in one hour before arrival. Complete the online self check-in form at least one hour before arriving to Student Housing. You can access the form on the Student Housing Portal.
Hold on your account: If you are having trouble accessing the online check-in form, you may have a hold on your account.
Check-in Locations: After parking, you will stop by a welcome booth outside of the Student Housing Office to pick up your Housewarming materials, then move into your room. Check-In Location: After parking, you will check-in with your Resident Advisor in lobby of your assigned building.
After Hours Arrival: Students arriving check-in hours can go directly to their living space.

Meal Plans and Renter's Insurance

Get your Meal Plan: Residents in suites and apartments without kitchens - make sure your meal plan application is complete. You don’t want to miss any meals! Residents in units with kitchens - even though you’re not required to have a meal plan, several options are available. It’s convenient and the food is great! Confirm your Meal Plan is active. You will access your meal plan via MataCard. There is a $50 meal plan application fee (if applicable) to submit your application.
Purchase renter's Insurance: We strongly recommend that all students get renters insurance. It can cover loss of personal property in cases of theft, fire, and many other unexpected events.

Additional Information

Packages: Do you need to ship items to your new apartment or suite?
Arrive on time: Arrive at your scheduled move-in day and time.
Prepare for a busy and possibly hot day: Remember, it’s likely to be hot!
Current Residents: Current residents who meet the eligibility requirement have the opportunity to renew their license agreement for the following year. The renewal process will begin in mid-May and continue through June.

Cancellations

If you no longer plan to live in Student Housing or have decided to attend another university, you can submit a cancellation form in the Student Housing Portal.

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