Frequently Asked Questions

New Students

Bridge Students

Current Students

General

New Students

I am a new student. What are my chances of receiving housing?

Incoming first-year students who pay the non-refundable $400 enrollment deposit and the non-refundable $50 housing application fee AND complete the housing application by 11:59 EST on May 1 are guaranteed on-campus housing. After May 1, students are offered housing as space becomes available. Housing is offered to students in the order of the housing application completion date.

How do new students apply for housing?

Students apply for housing via the MyHousing/MyDining portal via MyPortal after paying the enrollment deposit. More details can be found on the Apply for Housing page.

What's the benefit of completing my housing application as soon as possible?

The sooner you complete your housing application, the better chance you have at selecting your top choice room. Read more about room selection.

Is there a deadline for me to complete my application?

YES! In order for first-year incoming students to be guaranteed a space on campus (not your preferred building), the student must pay the tuition deposit, housing application fee AND complete the housing application by 11:59 EST on May 1. After May 1, students are assigned on space-available basis in order of completed applications received.

How does room selection work?

Incoming students are assigned a time slot for room selection based on the date the student completed their housing application. The earlier you complete your housing application, the better chance you have at selecting your top choice. Room selection for incoming students starts in June.

Can I request a specific roommate?

Yes. If you have already found someone you wish to live with, you can create a roommate group in your housing application. In order to select one another, both students need to have completed the housing application. You will be able to form a roommate group until May 15 (but you must still have completed your housing application by 11:59 EST on May 1).

What are the different room types?
Private room: student has their own bedroom but shares common spaces, including bathrooms.
Double room: student shares a bedroom with one other person and, if in a suite, shares common spaces, including bathrooms, with their roommate and suitemates.
Triple room: student shares a bedroom with two other people and, if in a suite, shares common spaces, including bathrooms, with their roommates and suitemates.

Is there a certain residence hall for new students?

No. New students have a range of options for housing. Please visit our Residence Halls page to view what's available for new students.

Are there washer/dryer facilities?

Yes, free washing machines and dryers are located in all residence halls and designated houses. Laundry View allows residents to monitor the status of washers and dryers in connected laundry rooms through a web browser.

How do I access my residence hall?

Students have access to their residence hall via their Cougar Card. All first-year student residence halls have a front desk with a verification system. Students will be required to swipe or tap their card when entering the hall to verify their access. Lost or broken cards can be replaced at Campus Services HQ or by Public Safety after hours for a fee.

What if I have completed my application but change my mind about attending the College of Charleston?

Immediately cancel your housing application. Please use the following steps to cancel the application:

  • Log into MyPortal.
  • Click on the MyHousing/Dining tile.
  • Choose APPLICATION at the top of the page.
  • Select the current term Housing Application, and click Continue.
  • Click on the Cancellation Page link in the top right corner.
  • Choose your reason for cancellation from the drop-down menu.
  • Click on the Cancel Application button at the bottom of the page.

The Office of Campus Housing will be notified automatically after your application is canceled. Note: Notifying the Admissions Office does not constitute notice to Campus Housing. Policies concerning a refund of prepayment/fees can be found in your contract. Once you are enrolled at the College of Charleston, unless released from the terms of the contract, you are responsible for the full housing fee even if you do not occupy the space.

Bridge Students

Read more about the Charleston Bridge Program.

I’m a Bridge Student; do I have to live on campus?

Yes, the Charleston Bridge Program is a residential program that that requires students to live on campus and purchase a First-Year Student Resident Meal Plan.

I’m a Bridge Student; do I have to have a meal plan?

Yes, Bridge students must also purchase a First-Year Student Resident Meal Plan to use at the on-campus dining locations.

How are Charleston Bridge room assignments made?

Charleston Bridge students will only be assigned roommates who are also participating in the Charleston Bridge program. Charleston Bridge students will be assigned to designated residence halls, listed on our Apply for Housing page. If you would like to connect with other Charleston Bridge students, please visit the Charleston Bridge Facebook group.

I’m a Bridge Student; can I be roommates with whomever I want?

Bridge students can only live with other Bridge students in designated residence halls. Campus Housing will make room assignments that will be released in June. Room changes will only be allowed into other Bridge-specific rooms with Bridge student roommates. If you would like to connect with other Charleston Bridge students, please visit the Charleston Bridge Facebook group.

What else do I need to do?

Please remember that all Bridge students must pay their total bill to Trident Technical College by August 1 or they will not be allowed to move into the residence halls.

What if I withdraw from the Bridge program?

All fees are non-refundable. This includes the deposit ($400), the housing application fee ($50), and the program fee ($1450). If a Bridge student moves into the residence hall and then withdraws from the program (voluntarily or involuntarily) they are responsible for the full semester housing and meal plan charges for the fall. The housing contract with the Bridge addendum (last page) clarifies the policy on refunds for Bridge students.

Current Students

I am a returning student; how do I apply for housing?

Please review the Apply for Housing page for more details.

How do I cancel my contract?

The housing contract is a binding agreement for both the fall and spring semesters. If you decide to live off campus or to not attend the College PRIOR to moving in, you must cancel your housing application via the MyHousing/Dining portal. If you wish to cancel your housing contract AFTER moving in, please contact Campus Housing at housing@cofc.edu or call 843.953.2015. Cancellation penalties will apply. Please see the detailed contract cancellation information listed in your housing contract.

What if a maintenance problem occurs?

For non-emergency services, submit a work order request using the Facilities Work Orders tile in MyPortal. The Facilities Management team assigned to the building will then handle the request on a priority basis. If you experience a maintenance emergency immediately call 843.953.5550.

What furniture is provided for me as a student living on campus?

All students are provided a bed, a closet or wardrobe, chest of drawers, desk, and desk chair. For more specific information about what furniture your residence hall provides, check the corresponding residence hall webpage.

How do I sign up for a meal plan?

Meal plans can be selected within the housing application via the MyHousing/Dining portal until mid-August (fall) or mid-June (spring) and then through Campus Services HQ after that. Please review all Meal Plan and deadline information on the Campus Services HQ Meal Plans page. You may also contact Campus Services HQ at 843.953.1100 for more information about meal plans. Meal plans are required for all first-year students living on campus.

What do I do if I lose my key?

Log into the MyHousing/Dining portal and fill out the Lost Key Request Form. You will get an email from Campus Services HQ that your room has been rekeyed. Then, during business hours, stop by Campus Services HQ at 162 Calhoun Street to get your new key. If you need a temporary key while your locks are being changed or outside of HQ business hours, you can check one out from Public Safety. Replacement keys are $100 each; replacement fobs are $15 each.

How do I change my room during the semester?

Students may request a room change through the room change request process, which typically opens a few weeks into the semester. Students will be notified via email when this is available. 

I am a graduating senior, but the halls close before graduation. What do I do?

Graduating seniors will receive a notification from the Campus Housing office if they are able to remain in their assigned housing until the day after graduation. Otherwise, they will be relocated to a different area of campus. Seniors who choose not to use this option may check out of the residence hall on the assigned move out date for the semester.

General

What are the alternatives to living on campus?

The Charleston area has many apartment options. Price, quality and location vary greatly depending on individual needs.

Will I have to move off campus after my first year?

No, we welcome returning students to stay with us, although we do not guarantee housing for returners. Returning student room selection takes place in the spring and more information on the process can be found on the Apply for Housing page.

Is there any housing for married or graduate students?

Presently we do not provide housing for married or graduate students.

If I have a disability that requires an accommodation, what should I do?

Submit your housing application, then contact the Center for Disability Services. We will work with you to find a situation that will best accommodate your needs.

What about mail? Parking on campus?

For answers to these questions, please contact:

Mail Services
843.953.5534
mailservices@cofc.edu

Campus Services HQ (for questions about your Cougar Card, meal plans, parking, transportation and more)
843.953.1100
campusservices@cofc.edu

 

For information about other services you might typically need, please see our Campus Services page.