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 2024 Deadlines

Friday, May 31 - The housing application portal opens.

Friday, June 14 - Applications received by this date will be included in the lottery.

• Start Up Scholars are guaranteed housing but must also submit their applications by this date.
• All other housing assignments will be made using a lottery system.
• Students who do not receive a placement will be added to a waitlist.
• Applications received after this date will be considered on a rolling basis.

Monday, June 24 - Notifications are sent during the week beginning Monday, June 24.

• 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.

Move In Dates

Sunday, August 18 - Start Up Scholars are permitted to move into the residences. More details about the move in process will be communicated to students in late July or early August.

Monday, August 26 - Other students are permitted to move into their residences.

Move Out

Students must vacate their residences no later than Saturday, December 21 unless they have petitioned to stay through the break and been granted an exception.

Spring 2025 Deadlines

Monday, October 7 - The housing application portal opens.

Monday, October 21 - Applications received by this date will be included in the lottery.

All housing assignments will be made using a lottery system. Students who do not receive a placement will be added to a waitlist. Applications received after this date will be considered on a rolling basis.

Friday, October 25 - Notifications are sent starting October 25

• 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.

Move In Dates

Wednesday, January 8 - Students are permitted to move into the residences. More details about the move-in process will be communicated to students through their student portal.

Move Out

Students must vacate their residences no later than Thursday, May 16 unless they have petitioned to stay through the break and been granted an exception.

SFBU Housing Fee Information - New Housing Applications

• $40 housing application fee
• $500 housing security deposit - 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. Start Up Scholars receive a 100% scholarship for SFBU housing. They do not pay an application fee or security deposit, but will be held liable, and billed, for the cost of any damage to the housing unit beyond ordinary wear and tear.
• $4,000 per semester*, double occupancy* - This fee must be paid in full at least ten working days before the move-in date.
• Start Up Scholars receive a 100% scholarship for SFBU housing. They do not pay an application fee or security deposit, but will be billed for the cost of any damage to the housing unit beyond ordinary wear and tear.

* This rate applies to Fall 2024 and Spring 2025. Rates for Summer 2025 and academic year 2025-26 will be updated at a future date. 

**Are you a continuing student currently in SFBU housing and planning to apply to continue staying in SFBU housing? Log into your account for more information about your housing rates for 2024-25. 

Navigation: "My Requests " → "Logistic Request" → "Housing Service".

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