SIPA: School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University

Housing

Morningside Heights neighborhood, which is adjacent to the main campus, is made available to full-time SIPA students through University Apartment Housing (UAH).

Housing is not guaranteed and students should be prepared to consider alternatives to University housing.

Priority is given to international students, students living abroad at the time of admission, and to those living in the United States based on geographic distance from NYC beginning on the west coast. As a graduate division, we are given an allocation that allows us to accommodate about 45% of the requests for University housing.

Other options in the Morningside Heights area include International House, an independent graduate student residence for both international students and U.S. citizens.

The Columbia Off-Campus Housing Assistance Office (OCHA) provides useful information and services to incoming students who cannot be accommodated in University housing, including online apartment listings for rentals and sublets.

University Apartment Housing (UHA)

All admitted students are urged to review detailed housing information, and to apply for UAH accommodation via the online application process, at the Web site below:

Columbia University Apartment Housing (UAH)

Housing decisions are made by SIPA in June. However, actual assignments are made and communicated directly to incoming students by University Apartment Housing (UAH). Move-in dates typically begin in late July and continue throughout August.

Students not approved in June for University housing will be placed on a waiting list. Please visit the UAH Web site for an explanation of the waiting list process.

International House

Students are strongly encouraged to also apply directly to International House if they are interested in obtaining accommodation there. Please visit the I-House website for more information and an application.

Off-Campus Housing Assistance Office (OCHA)

The Columbia Off-Campus Housing Assistance Office (OCHA) is an important resource for finding nonuniversity housing near campus or in other parts of the city. Please visit the Off-Campus Housing Assistance Office to learn about its services.

Once students activate their Columbia e-mail, they can search the OCHA online listings of apartment rentals and sublets. This service is available only to students, staff, and faculty of the University. The username and password will be the same as the ones used for the Columbia e-mail account.

Housing Contact Information

Your SIPA liaison with the UAH Offices is Tan Nguyen, assistant dean.
E-mail questions directly to sipa_housing@columbia.edu