Residential Life

Housing Information

Startup Scholars are guaranteed fall and spring semester housing with other Startup Scholars or undergraduate students. Housing for other undergraduate and graduate students in university-owned residences is limited and offered through a lottery system.

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 are offered based on availability.
Residents must have submitted an enrollment deposit in order to be considered for a housing assignment.
Residents must be full-time, matriculated students (12 or more units per semester for undergraduate students; 9 or more units for graduate students) currently enrolled at SFBU.
SFBU will notify you through email 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.
Summer term: Residents are required to take at least one (1) in-person modality Summer course to be eligible for Summer housing.

Spring 2026 Deadlines

October 2 - Housing Application portal opens

October 16 - Housing Application Deadline

October 20 - Housing Application notification begins

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.

November 27 - Housing Payment deposit Deadline

Move In Dates

January 8 - New resident move-in day

Move Out

Students must vacate their residences no later than Monday, May 18 12:00 PM

Summer 2026 Deadlines

February 27 - Housing Application portal opens

March 13 - Housing Application Deadline

March 17 - Housing Application notification begins

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.

April 24 - Housing Payment deposit Deadline

New residents who are approved after the deposit deadline are required to complete the housing deposit payment before moving in.

Move In Dates

May 29 - New Resident Move In Day

Move Out

Students must vacate their residences no later than Thursday, July 30 12:00 PM no exceptions. Students will be charged $100/day for every additional day that they stay.

Fall and Spring Semesters

$40 housing application fee
$500 housing security deposit - The housing security deposit applies to new residents only. Continuous returning residents do not need to pay a security deposit again. A five hundred dollar ($500) housing deposit will be posted to your account upon acceptance of the housing offer. This must be paid before moving in.
$4,000 per semester, double occupancy

Summer Term

$40 housing application fee
$500 housing security deposit - The housing security deposit applies to new residents only. Continuous returning residents do not need to pay a security deposit again. A five hundred dollar ($500) housing deposit will be posted to your account upon acceptance of the housing offer. This must be paid before moving in.
$2,000 for the Summer term, double occupancy

Housing deposits

Housing deposits are generally returned to the student’s method of payment within 10-15 business days of the start of the next semester. Deposits may be deducted based on any damage to the housing unit beyond ordinary wear and tear.

For any questions regarding housing deposits or fees, you can reach out to the Bursar’s office by making an appointment or contacting them at studentaccounts@sfbu.edu.

Cancellation

A student may cancel their housing application by submitting written notification to the Housing Office.

FALL SEMESTER – If cancellation notice is received by July 31, for the fall term, the deposit is refundable. A cancellation notice received on or after August 1 will result in the forfeiture of the security deposit.
SPRING SEMESTER – If cancellation notice is received by November 30, for the spring semester, the deposit is refundable. A cancellation notice received on or after December 1 will result in the forfeiture of the security deposit.
SUMMER SEMESTER – If cancellation notice is received by May 28, for the spring semester, the deposit is refundable. A cancellation notice received on or after May 29 will result in the forfeiture of the security deposit.

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

Meet the Residential Community Coordinator

Tracy Patton

I'm Tracy, a higher education professional with 20+ years of experience across Housing, Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, and External Relations at public, private, and international institutions. I began as a Resident Assistant, sparking my passion for student development and community building. I have served at San Jose State, San Francisco State, UCLA, and the University of Maryland College Park, bringing a well-rounded perspective to each.

I hold a BA in International Studies, an MA in Education Administration (Student Affairs), and I'm a Doctoral Candidate in Education, specializing in Leadership and Innovation. A first-generation college student, I'm dedicated to supporting diverse learners. Outside of work, I enjoy traveling and connecting with new people.

Meet the Associate Director of Auxiliaries

Jason Sjah (He/Him)

My name is Jason Sjah (He/Him), and I am a lifelong Fremont resident. I graduated from California State University, East Bay, with a B.S. in Business Administration. As the Associate Director of Auxiliaries, I oversee the university housing program. For any questions about the housing details and the application process, please contact housing@sfbu.edu.

Housing photos