There are many reasons to live on campus. Below are just a few.

Convenience

By living on campus you have easy access to the library, the dining halls, your classes, numerous computer labs and countless other amenities. Traffic in D.C. can be difficult, but if you live on campus, you can roll out of bed and walk to class. Leaving the library after dark? Call DPS and they will escort you safely back to your residence hall. You also have access to 24-hour emergency maintenance, 24-hour public safety department, and 24-hour Residence Life staff on call. Additionally, CUA has its own Metrorail stop, Brookland/CUA, on the Red Line connecting the campus to metro area.

Connection

Studies have shown that there is a close relationship between involvement and on-campus living and how they are important to your overall success as a student. On-campus residents are more satisfied with their university experience and more comfortable in the university environment. You are also more likely to become involved in student organizations, develop a social network, and make better grades and graduate compared to those students who live off campus.

Cost

While the cost of living on campus might seem high, the alternative is much more expensive. The charge for your residence hall room covers the following: rent, cable, phone, internet, laundry, utilities, furniture, staff support, and in-hall programs and activities. Additionally, if you live off campus you may have to add the cost of commuting to and from CUA and of buying and/or renting furniture.

Additional Benefits of Living On Campus

Studies show that students who live on campus tend to:

• Have higher grade point averages
• Become more involved with the campus community
• Complete their degree in four years
• Express greater satisfaction with their undergraduate experience
• Persist and graduate with greater frequency
• Make use of campus resources (library, staff, labs, athletic facilities, and general support services) with much greater frequency

Specifically, students who live on camps at CUA benefit from:

• Easy access to faith- and value-based programs in a vibrant campus community
• Numerous health/welfare support systems
• Campus-based conveniences and no rush-hour commutes
• A comprehensive residence fee (all-in-one versus separate rent/utilities/cable/garbage/water/sewer, etc.)
• Easy accessibility to downtown Washington, D.C., via the Brookland/CUA Metrorail Station.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible to live in Upperclass Housing?

The university policy on housing eligibility is available here. Generally, in order to live in on-campus housing, individuals must be CUA degree-seeking students who have full-time status with the university. University standards for full-time status are outlined in the Academic Announcements publications, available at announcements.cua.edu. A student whose course load falls below full-time status should petition Housing Services for permission to remain a resident. Other exceptions may be granted on a space-available basis. Please see the Living as Leaders Community and the University Honors Program Web pages for specific eligibility information regarding these two residential programs.

Is on-campus housing guaranteed?

The university requires all freshman and sophomore undergraduate students to live in campus housing. As is the case on most residential campuses, on-campus housing for junior and senior students is not automatically guaranteed. During the spring semester, a lottery is conducted where interested junior and senior students may select housing from available rooms for the next academic year. Housing Services also provides resources and options to assist students in securing off-campus housing. These options include the online Off-Campus Housing Resource Center where students can search listings, see the location depicted on a Google map, and access the property basics, distance, and travel time to CUA. By selecting a specific listing a student will receive detailed information regarding the property, as well as access to landlord information, directions to campus, and nearby Metrorail and bus stops.

For more information please refer to the university policy on Housing for Junior and Senior Students.

Where do upperclass students live on the CUA campus?

Junior and senior students live predominately in Opus and North Neighborhood 1, comprising the Millenniums and Curley Court. Sophomores live in Centennial Village, Ryan, and Gibbons. With the addition of Opus Hall, more space is now available for upperclass students allowing more juniors and seniors who are not guaranteed housing, the option to remain on campus.

Other upperclass housing options include the Living as Leaders Community and the Honors Residential Community.

How do I apply for Upperclass Housing?

For the fall semester, current residents should participate in the Room Selection Process. Incoming students and current CUA students who do not currently reside on campus shoud submit a Residence Hall and Dining Services Application and the $500 housing prepayment.

For the spring semester, students should submit a Residence Hall and Dining Services Application and the $500 housing prepayment.