Returning Residents

Eligibility Requirements for Returning Residents:

• Be a current resident and have lived on campus for eight semesters or less (commuting students may be requested as a roommate if they meet all other eligibility requirements and be pulled into a room during the homesteading process)
• Meet New York state immunization requirements
• Have no outstanding balance on your student account AND have a $300 housing deposit on file with the University.
• Students must register as a full-time student and maintain full-time status throughout the academic year 

Submitting the Housing Application

Beginning early March, you can complete your housing application and housing preferences online. Once you complete your housing application, please check the Room Selection Important Dates, to see when you can Homestead your room(if applicable), be pulled into another resident student's room, participate in Relocated Student Room Selection, participate in Themed Living Community Selection or select a room during General Room Selection.

To complete your application, please follow the steps below:

1. Log into my.hofstra.edu
2. Click on "Navigation Menu" in the top left-hand corner
3. Click on the "Student Services Menu."
4. Click on the "Residence Life Menu."
5. Click on "Residence Life Room Application" under the Residence Life Menu or click on “My Apps” and click on the Housing Icon.
6. Select the term for which you are applying to reside on campus.
7. Follow instructions to complete the housing application and select a dining plan, as it is a condition of residency for all undergraduate students.

Room Selection Process

There are four ways in which students can participate in the room selection process. Students can choose to Homestead their current room (if their room is eligible to be homesteaded), participate in the Relocated Selection (if applicable), participate in Themed Living Community Selection (if applicable) or participate in the General Selection process.

Housing Selection Process

Homesteading
Homesteading is a process by which students can reserve their current room or suite for the next year. This process also allows students to request to live with another student in their current room or suite* (being pulled into a room). To successfully Homestead your room, you MUST complete a housing application and select your current room during the advertised Homesteading period.

*If a student's space is ineligible for Homesteading due to relocation, the student can elect to participate in the Relocated Selection (see below). First-year students must select to live with another student who is eligible to Homestead their room, participate in general selection, or be administratively assigned by the Office of Residence Life.

Relocated Selection
Relocated Selection is provided to students who have been identified and informed by the Office of Residence Life that their current room or suite is not eligible for Homesteading. Eligible students may participate in Relocated Selection during the advertised Relocated Selection Process by selecting a room that is identical to the type of room the student currently resides in from a list of available spaces (e.g., if you live in a triple in a high-rise building, you must select a triple room in another high-rise building).

NOTE: Students assigned to first-year areas are not considered relocated.

Themed Living Selection (Gender Inclusive Housing and The Umoja Scholars)
Students who would like to reside in a Themed Living Community such as Gender Inclusive Housing or The Umoja Scholars, must first complete a Housing Application. Then students must email the Office of Residence Life to schedule an “in person” appointment on the designated Themed Living Community Selection process date. During the “in person” appointment, The Office of Residence Life will assign the student(s) a space in their Themed Living Community of choice for the upcoming academic year. Students who are already residing in Themed Living Communities, will have the ability to Homestead their space during Room Selection (if they were not contacted by the Office of Residence Life indicating that they could not Homestead) and DO NOT have to schedule an “in person” appointment with the Office of Residence Life.

General Selection
The General Selection process gives students the opportunity to select a room in the living area that best suits their needs and preferences. Selection is prioritized by class year. All rooms must be filled to capacity (i.e. a double room must have two occupants).

Administrative Assignment
Students who complete a housing application during the room selection period and do not select a space by the room selection deadline, will be assigned a space by the Office of Residence Life. The Office of Residence Life cannot guarantee the housing preferences a student includes on their housing application will be met, as room assignments are subject to availability. The Office of Residence Life  will notify students of their housing assignment via their Hofstra Pride email account in early June.

NOTE: Students who apply for housing after the deadline will be assigned on a space-available basis later in the summer.

Session 1:

How to Complete a Housing Application, How to Homestead Your Room, How to Participate in Relocated Selection and How to Participate in Themed Living Selection:

*Resident Directors of each building will inform their residents of the date, time, and location of the information session if it is in person, or provide a Zoom link if the session is virtual.

Session 2:

How to Participate in the General Selection Process.

*Resident Directors of each building will inform their residents of the date, time, and location of the information session if it is in person, or provide a Zoom link if the session is virtual.

• How to Complete Your Housing Application
• How to Request a Roommate and Add to Roommate Groups
• How to Participate in the Homesteading Process
• How to Participate in Relocated Room Selection
• How to Participate in General Selection-Undergraduate Students
• How to Participate in General Selection-Graduate and Law Students
• How to Participate in Themed Living Community

• How to Complete a Housing Application
• How to Participate in the Homesteading Process
• How to Participate in the Relocated Student Room Selection Process
• How to Participate in the General Room Selection Process

Room Selection Process

What time does the system open for housing selection?

The housing system opens at 9am for each selection process, including the housing application launch and subsequent processes like homesteading, relocated selection, and general selection by class standing.

How do I participate in Room Selection?

To successfully participate in Homesteading, Relocated Student Selection, Themed Living Selection or General Selection, follow these steps:

1. ✅ Complete & Submit a new Housing Application for the upcoming fall semester.
2. ✅ Create a Roommate Group if you plan to live with others. Click here for information on how to create a roommate group.
3. ✅ Confirm Roommate Requests in your Housing Application.
4. ✅ Return to Your Housing Application on your designated selection date to choose a room.

For important Room Selection dates, visit: Room Selection Dates.

Roommate Groups FAQ

How do I create a roommate group or select a roommate?

To select a roommate, follow these steps:

1. Complete Your Housing Application.
2. Go to the Roommate Selection Page within your application.
3. Search for your preferred roommate “by detail” using their Hofstra ID or you can search by “profile” if looking for a possible match.
4. Send a roommate request.
5. Your requested roommate must accept your request before the room selection process begins.

Once your requested roommate has accepted, the roommate with the highest class standing and earliest selection time CAN select the room for all members during their assigned selection time.

For important Room Selection dates, visit: Room Selection Dates.

For instructions on how to create a roommate group, click here.

I am trying to form a roommate group on my housing application and cannot find my friends even though I have their HofID#s. Why is this happening?

If you are unable to find your friends while forming a roommate group on your housing application, even though you have their HofID#s, it may be due to the following reasons:

• “Display in Roommate Search Results” Not Enabled: To be searchable, students must have the “Display in Roommate Search Results” box checked on the Roommate Matching Questionnaire page of their housing application. If this box is unchecked, they will not appear in searches.
• Incomplete Housing Applications: Your friends may not have submitted their housing applications yet for the upcoming semester. All students must complete and submit their applications before they can be added to a roommate group. For instructions on how to create a roommate group, click here.
• Incorrect HofID#s: Double-check that you have entered the correct HofID#s without any typos.

Can I request a roommate if they are not currently living on campus?

Yes! Commuting students, new students, and students returning from study abroad may be selected as a roommate if they:

• Pay the required $300 Housing Deposit (and Enrollment Fee if new to Hofstra).
• Complete a Housing Application.
• Accept the Roommate Request before the room selection process begins.

What if my roommate and I have different selection times?

The student with the earlier selection time should select the room on behalf of the roommate group.

Important:

• All roommate requests must be accepted before room selection begins.
• For important Room Selection dates, visit: Room Selection Dates.

What if I can’t find a roommate before my room selection time?

• If you are unable to find a roommate before your room selection date and time, you can still proceed with the selection process. You may choose a room type that accommodates fewer people (i.e. a single room) or use the "Search for Roommates by Profile" feature to find a random roommate. Keep in mind, however, that all rooms must be filled to capacity, so you’ll need to find a roommate to select a multiple occupancy room (i.e. Double room requires one roommate added to your roommate group, 4-person suite requires three additional students.

Homesteading FAQ

What is Homesteading?

Homesteading allows students to reserve their current space in their room for the next academic year if eligible.

You can Homestead:

• Your own assigned space.
• Your roommate’s space (if part of a confirmed Roommate Group on your Housing Application). Click here for information on how to create a roommate group.

You cannot Homestead:

• A different room.
• If you live in suite-style housing, you cannot homestead your suitemates' space.

How do I participate in the Homesteading process?

To successfully participate in Homesteading Process, follow these steps:

• ✅ Complete & Submit a Housing Application.
• ✅ Create a Roommate Group if you plan to live with others. Click here for information on how to create a roommate group.
• ✅ Confirm Roommate Requests in your Housing Application.
• ✅ Return to Your Housing Application on your designated selection date to choose a room.

For important Room Selection dates, visit: Room Selection Dates.

Common Homesteading Questions

Can I "pull in" a new roommate during Homesteading?

Yes! If a vacancy exists, and your current roommate is not homesteading their space, you can pull in another student if they:

• Have completed a Housing Application for the upcoming academic year.
• You are in a Roommate Group on your Housing Application and they accept the Roommate Request before Homesteading begins.

For important Room Selection dates, visit: Room Selection Dates.

Can I Homestead if I live in special housing (e.g., Themed Communities, Accessible Housing)?

Yes, as long as:

• You complete a Housing Application during the advertised time period.
• Your current room is eligible for Homesteading.
• You participate in the Homesteading Process during the advertised dates.

For important Room Selection dates, visit: Room Selection Dates.

How will I be notified if I can homestead my room for the upcoming year?

Residential students currently living on campus during the spring semester are generally eligible to homestead their room for the next academic year, except for those residing in:

• First-Year Only Buildings (Netherlands Complex and Stuyvesant Hall).
• Rooms designated for First-Year Students in the High Rise buildings.
• Rooms or buildings scheduled for renovations or capacity changes for the next academic year.

Students will receive an email notification from the Office of Residence Life in advance if their current room is not eligible for Homesteading.

For important Room Selection dates, visit: Room Selection Dates.

Can I change rooms later if I Homestead?

Yes, our office will process room changes once the room selection process is complete. Students must submit a Room Change Request via their portal.

Room Change Requests open the first week of May. Please click here for directions on how to submit a room change request.

Are there any videos or tutorials available to help me understand the Homesteading Process and what to expect when participating?

Click here to watch a Homesteading video and access a Homesteading tutorial.

Relocated Room Selection FAQ

What is Relocated Student Room Selection?

This process is for students who have been notified by the Office of Residence Life that they cannot Homestead their current space due to:

• ✅ Building renovations.
• ✅ Room configuration changes.

These students are given priority access to select a room type in another building prior to the  General Selection Process.

What Type of Room Can I Select?

• Eligible students can select a room of the same type they currently reside in from available spaces in their chosen building. All rooms must be filled to capacity.

 For example, if you live in a triple, you must select another triple and form a roommate group of 3 on the housing application. Click here for information on how to create a roommate group.

Note: Students in first-year spaces are not considered relocated.

How do I participate in the Relocated Student Room Selection process?

To successfully participate in Relocated Student Room Selection, follow these steps:

• ✅ Complete & Submit a Housing Application.
• ✅ Create a Roommate Group if you plan to live with others. Click here for information on how to create a roommate group.
• ✅ Confirm Roommate Requests in your Housing Application.
• ✅ Return to Your Housing Application on your designated selection date to choose a room.

For important Room Selection dates, visit: Room Selection Dates.

Can I select a single if I currently live in a double?

No. You can only select a room of the same type (double → double).

✅ Students wanting to reside ina single room must participate in the General Selection Process. .

For important Room Selection dates, visit: Room Selection Dates.

Can I "pull in" another student?

Yes! The new roommate must:

• Have completed a Housing Application for the upcoming academic year.
• You are in a Roommate Group on your Housing Application and they accept the Roommate Request before the Relocated Student Room Selection process begins.

What if my building is undergoing renovations?

You can participate in the   Relocated Student Selection which gives you priority to select a room.

Do I need to fill my room to capacity?

Yes. For example, if you currently live in a high rise triple room, you must form a roommate group of three on your Housing Application. Your requested roommates MUST accept their Roommate Request before the Relocated Student Room Selection process begins.

Can I change rooms later if I participated in Relocated Student Room Selection?

Yes, our office will process room changes once the room selection process is complete. Students must submit a Room Change Request via their portal.

Room Change Requests open the first week of May. Please click here for directions on how to submit a room change request.

Are there any videos or tutorials available to help me understand the Relocated Student Room Selection Process and what to expect when participating?

Click here to watch a Relocated Student Room Selection video and access a Relocated Student Room Selection tutorial.

Themed Living Community FAQ

How do I participate in the Themed Living Communities (Umoja Scholars & Gender-Inclusive Housing) Selection process?

• ️Complete and submit a Housing Application.
• ️Email the Office of Residence Life to schedule an in-person appointment.
• ️ Attend the appointment on the designated selection date to be assigned a space in the Themed Living Community.

If you currently live in a Themed Living Community, you may Homestead your space unless otherwise notified.

For important Room Selection dates, visit: Room Selection Dates.

General Room Selection FAQ

What is the General Room Selection Process?

The General Room Selection Process is for students who:

• Did not homestead their current room.
• Are not part of the Relocated Student Selection Process.
• Are looking to select a new space for the upcoming academic year.

How do I participate in the General Selection process?

To successfully participate in the General Selection Process, follow these steps:

• ✅ Complete & Submit a Housing Application.
• ✅ Create a Roommate Group if you plan to live with others. Click here for information on how to create a roommate group.
• ✅ Confirm Roommate Requests in your Housing Application.
• ✅ Return to Your Housing Application on your designated selection date to choose a room.

For important Room Selection dates, visit: Room Selection Dates.

Can I choose a roommate and suitemates (if applicable) during the General Room Selection Process?

Yes! If you want to live with a specific roommate, you must:

1. All students must complete a Housing Application.
2. Create a roommate group on the Roommate Selection Page of your Housing Application.
3. Accept the roommate request before your selection time.
4. Once the request is accepted, the person in the group  with the highest class standing  CAN select the room for all members.

For important Room Selection dates, visit: Room Selection Dates.

My friends and I would like to live in a four-person suite. We only have three people in our roommate group. Can we select a four-person suite during room selection?

No, you cannot select a four-person suite if your roommate group only has three people. All rooms and suites must be filled to capacity during the Room Selection process. If you want to live in a four-person suite, you will need to find a fourth roommate and have them join your roommate group before selection. Note: the system will only show you triple spaces if your roommate group consists of three people.

Alternative Options:

• On the Housing application, you can use the "Search for Roommates by Profile" feature to request a random roommate to fill the empty space. Click here for instructions on how to “Search for Roommates by Profile.”
• Reconfigure your roommate group and search for a different room type. For example, if you have three students and cannot find a fourth roommate for a four-person suite, consider selecting a high-rise triple room or a triple suite. Click here for instructions on how to create a roommate group.

If no available room type fits your group and you do not select a room, the Office of Residence Life will assign a room for you. after the Room Selection process ends.

What are the chances of a 3-person suite (one single room and one double room) being available when it is my turn to participate in room selection?

The chances of a 3-person suite (one single room and one double room) being available during your room selection time are extremely low. Here’s why:

• Limited Availability: This room type is very limited and often fills up quickly, especially in the early rounds of selection such as homesteading.
• High Demand: Many students prefer suites with a mix of single and double rooms, making them one of the first options to be chosen.
• Selection Timing: If your selection time is later in the process, it's less likely that these suites will still be available.

Why am I only seeing single rooms available during room selection when I specifically listed high-rise double rooms as my preference on my housing application?

Room selection is based on real-time availability, not the preferences listed in your housing application. The Office of Residence Life collects preferences in case they need to assign housing for students who:

• Cannot fill a room/suite to capacity (e.g., a double requires two occupants, a triple requires three, etc.).
• Have a completed application but do not participate in room selection.

During general selection, available rooms are shown based on the size of your roommate group. If you are not in a roommate group, the system will display available single rooms and spaces in partially filled rooms/suites at the time of selection.

Things to Remember When Selecting a Room with a Roommate Group:

• If a group member has a higher class standing, they can select the room for the group (e.g., a Sophomore can select for a First-year group).
• All group members MUST be assigned to successfully select a room. Rooms must be filled to capacity to avoid errors.
• Use room type filters to select your preferred room (e.g., single, double, suite).
• If no filter appears, only one room type remains, so confirm it matches your preference.
• The system will show all room types that fit your group.

What does it mean for multiple-occupancy rooms to be filled to capacity?

This means that in order to select a room in a shared space (e.g., a double or triple), all spots in that room must be filled by students. For example, if you're selecting a double room, the room cannot be chosen unless both spots are filled.

Can I participate in room selection if I’m studying abroad during the Spring Semester?

Yes. Students studying abroad during the spring semester who plan to return to campus housing for the fall must complete the Returning Resident Application Process. Students studying abroad in the spring who wish to live on campus for the upcoming fall semester can participate in the General Room Selection Process during their designated time, which is prioritized by class year. Click here to view the Room Selection Important Dates.

Additionally, a current spring residential student can pull a study-abroad student into a multi-occupancy room if the following conditions are met:

• The student has no outstanding balance on their student account.
• A $300 housing deposit is on file with the University.
• A Housing Application has been completed.
• The student is in a roommate group with the current resident pulling them in.

Will I be able to select a room near my friends?

You can select a room near your friends as long as there are available spaces near each other when it’s your selection time. If you and your friends are in the same selection time slot, you can coordinate your selections.

What if there are no rooms left in my preferred building or room type?

If there are no rooms left in your preferred building or room type, here are a few steps you can take:

• Explore Alternative Room Types: Consider selecting a different room type that might still meet your needs. Sometimes other configurations, like partially filled suites or rooms in different buildings, may still be available.
• Review Available Buildings: If your preferred building is fully booked, check if any other buildings have available rooms. These may not be in your first-choice location, but they could still offer a suitable living space.
• Have a Backup Plan: Always have a second or third option in mind in case your first choice is unavailable. This ensures you won’t be caught off guard.

Can I change rooms later if I participate in the General Selection Process??

Yes, our office will process room changes once the room selection process is complete. Students must submit a Room Change Request via their portal.

Room Change Requests open the first week of May. Please click here for directions on how to submit a room change request.

Are there any videos or tutorials available to help me understand the General Selection Process and what to expect when participating?

Click here to watch a General Selection video and access a General Selection tutorial.