How to Apply for Housing

1. Application Fee | Start the application process by paying the new student housing application fee of $150.  This can be paid the same time as your tuition deposit. 
2. Online Application | An email will be sent with instructions on how to complete the online application through ResCenter. This is where you sign your housing agreement, choose room preferences, and complete the roommate questionnaire. 

Housing is limited and we encourage you to submit your application fee and complete your housing application as soon as possible. The housing application fee can be paid at the same time as your tuition deposit. Your space in housing will not be confirmed unless you have also already paid the tuition deposit. The housing application fee is nonrefundable.  

To receive priority, a student's housing application fee payments must be received by May 1 and the application completed by May 4. Both the housing application fee and application need to be submitted in order to be considered.  While you may meet both deadlines, please note that housing is given on a first-come, first-served basis. As housing is limited, there is a possibility that you may be placed on a waiting list. Application fees and applications received after these dates will still be accepted. Students will continue to be placed as long as space is available or placed on the waiting list. 

Residence Life and Housing will begin confirming housing for new students who submit their completed application by the priority deadline Mid May.

When completing the application, students are agreeing to stay on campus for the full academic year (both Fall and Spring semesters). There is a spring semester housing application for students joining Otis College halfway through the year.

Students interested in summer housing do need to complete a separate Summer Housing Application. 

1. Application Fee | Start the application process by paying the returning student housing application fee of $50. 
2. Online Application | An email will be sent with instructions on how to complete the online application through ResCenter. This is where you sign your housing agreement, choose room preferences, complete the roommate questionnaire, and request specific roommates.

Housing is limited and we encourage you to submit your application fee and complete your housing application as soon as possible. The housing application fee is non-refundable.

To receive priority, a student's housing application fee payments must be received and the housing application completed by March 20. Application fees and applications received after these dates will still be accepted. Students will continue to be placed as long as space is available. 

When completing the application, students are agreeing to stay on campus for the full academic year (both Fall and Spring semesters). Returning Residents do need to apply for housing each year and are not guaranteed the same room/apartment. Students interested in staying over the summer do need to complete a separate Summer Housing Application. 

Roommate Matching

In the housing application, students are asked questions regarding their roommate preferences. The Residence Life and Housing Staff use these answers to match roommates. Some examples of these questions include: 

• Cleanliness of the room
• Sleeping Hours
• Study Atmosphere
• Smoking Habits

Requesting Roommates

Students have the ability to request specific a roommate(s) within the housing application. To do this, you will enter the Last Name and the Otis College email address of the student you are requesting. We will match students as long as the request is mutual, meaning all students must request each other. 

If you have already submitted your application, you have the ability to add people later or email the office and we can update your request. 

Students living at Park West are required to pay a $300 damage deposit, This payment is separate from the student's account. We do require having this payment on file prior to a student moving.

The damage deposit is refundable, less damage and/or move-out charges apply, at the end of the academic year.

Upon moving in, students will complete a Room Condition Report, noting any damages or problems with their space. When a student moves out, they will complete a similar form updating us on any damages or problems. Staff will walk the space once all students leave for one final assessment. Residence Life and Housing will compare the forms and then assess any charges to the students' accounts. Once this is completed, damage deposits will be returned to the student’s preferred refund selection through BankMobile Disbursements, a technology solution, powered by BMTX, Inc.

Students are strongly encouraged to purchase renters insurance. We recommend anywhere between $20,000 and $25,000. Start by checking with your parents’ homeowners insurance, as most companies extend coverage to students while they are away at college. Another option is checking with an insurance carrier of your choice, some companies that have worked with us in the past include:

• NSSI/National Student Services | company speciailizing in Student Property Insurance
  • E-brochure
  • YouTube Video Link
• State Farm  |   www.statefarm.com 
• AAA | www.aaa.com

Students looking for medical accommdations (such as a private room or registering an Emotional Support Animal) can learn more about the process here.

Accommodations will need to be requested each year a student lives in housing. 

ResCenter is our housing portal where students complete their housing application. Residential students will continue to use it after they move in.

ResCenter is where students can:

• Submit maintenance requests through our work order system
• Reference the Hallway Handbook
• Reporting lost keys
• And find additional housing resources