Residential Life

Housing is two bedrooms with double occupancy. This means four students will occupy a two-bedroom unit.

Please note: SFBU has a small number of three-bedroom units which accommodate six students.

• Each bedroom has two beds, two desks, and two chairs
• Washer and dryer in the unit
• Kitchen table and chairs
• High-speed internet connection
• Refrigerator and microwave
   

• Housing units are limited and available only to current SFBU students.
• Students must have submitted an enrollment deposit in order to be considered for a housing assignment.
• Housing assignments are offered using a lottery system.
• SFBU will notify you during the week of June 24 if you have been given a housing assignment or whether you have been placed on a waitlist. You must accept your assignment within three business days so that the space may be made available to another student should you decline the offer. For this reason, it is important that your housing application includes an email address that you monitor regularly. SFBU is not responsible for any delays, failures in delivery, or consequences resulting from a delay or failure in delivery of email to the email address which you have provided.
• In general, students may live in university-owned housing for up to one year (fall and spring semesters).
• The application for summer housing will be made available in the spring semester.

Fall 2025 Deadlines

Monday, June 9 - Housing Application portal opens.

Monday, June 23 - Housing Application Deadline

Monday, June 30 - Housing acceptance notifications will be sent out beginning the week of June 30.

• Students must accept or decline the offer within three business days. This will allow SFBU to accommodate students on the waiting list in a timely fashion. Upon acceptance of the offer, a student must agree to the terms and conditions of living in university-owned housing.
• Students on the waitlist will be notified if they receive a placement as spaces become available.

Monday, July 14 - Housing Payment Deadline

Move In Dates

Sunday, August 10 - Startup Scholar Orientation Move-in Day for Startup Scholars only 

• Startup Scholars move-in day. You will receive more details about the move-in process in late July. 

Wednesday, August 13 - Fall Semester Move-in Day

• Returning students and late incoming students move-in day.

Move Out

Students must vacate their residences no later than Thursday, December 18, 2025.

SFBU Housing Fee Information (Fall 2025)

• $40 housing application fee
• $500 housing security deposit - The housing security deposit applies to new residents only. Returning residents do not need to pay a security deposit for multiple semesters. A five hundred dollar ($500) housing deposit will be posted to your account upon acceptance of the housing offer. This must be paid in order to secure housing.
• $4,000 per semester*, double occupancy

Summer 2025 Rates 

• $40 housing application fee
• $500 housing security deposit - The housing security deposit applies to new residents only. Returning residents do not need to pay a security deposit for multiple semesters. A five hundred dollar ($500) housing deposit will be posted to your account upon acceptance of the housing offer. This must be paid in order to secure housing. 
• $2,000 for the Summer term, double occupancy

* This rate applies to Fall 2025 and is subject to change. Rates for Spring 2026 will be updated at a future date. 

The following are within walking distance of university-owned housing and the SFBU campus:

• Grocery Stores: Safeway, Osaka Marketplace, 168 Asian Market, and Coconut Hill Indian Grocery
• Pharmacy: CVS Pharmacy
• Gas Station: 76 and Warm Springs Gas
• Banks: Bank of America, Wells Fargo Bank, Citibank, Cathay Bank, HBC, and East West Bank
• Medical Services: Washington Clinic Medical Services
• Postal services: U.S. Post Office, FedEx, UPS
• Public Transportation: ACT/SCVT buses, Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) trains
• Restaurants: Kazuma Sushi, Ho Chow Restaurant, Sala Thai 3, Ajisen Ramen, Little Taipe Café, Chaat House, and many others
• Other Eateries: KFC, Burger King, Taco Bell, Jack in the Box, Roundtable Pizza, and McDonald’s

Absolute Necessities

• Bath Towels
• Bedding (Pillows, Blankets, Sheets) Regular Twin
• Toilet Paper
• Hand Soap
• Dish Soap or Dishwasher Detergent
• Cooking Utensils
• Dishes
• Silverware
• Clothes hangers
• Laundry Basket
• Laundry Detergent
• Wastebasket for bedroom and bathroom
• First aid kit
• Toiletries
• Fan

Optional Items

• Television
• Coffee Maker
• Rice Cooker
• Computer
• Pots and Pans

• Printer

Things to coordinate with your roommate

• Cleaning supplies
  • Toilet cleaner, toilet brush
  • Mop
  • Broom and dustpan
  • Vacuum
  • Trashbags
• Vacuum cleaner
• Toilet plunger

Things NOT to bring

• Microwave
• Candles or incense
• Cooking equipment with open coils
• Home network devices such as Amazon Echo or Google Home
• Refrigerator
• Pets
• Wireless routers
• Firearms and weapons
• Bidets
• Halogen Lights
• Mattress
• AC Units
• Extra furniture