New Student Housing Process

Starting in fall 2025, all incoming first-year students who are not commuting from their primary residence, must live in Rider’s residence halls during their first two years. Student success at Rider is 3% higher for students who choose to live on campus and national studies indicate that these factors contribute positively to student persistence and timely graduation. For more information, visit rider.edu/residency-requirement.

To apply for housing as a first-time or transfer student you must follow the steps and requirements below.

Steps to Apply for Housing

1. Pay housing deposit 
   
   If you will be living on campus at Rider, select your term of entry. For example, "Fall - Tuition & Housing ($400)" to make a deposit for tuition and housing.
   
   Already the paid commuter tuition deposit, but you'd like to live on campus? If you have already paid your commuter tuition deposit and would like to live on campus, you may go back to step 6 and choose “Fall- Housing Only ($200)” deposit to make your housing deposit.
   
   * the housing application becomes available to a student three days after depositing
2. Log onto MyRider, select the Applicant tab. Select Submit my housing application
3. Complete the other phases of your housing process in the MyRider Applicant Tab by clicking on the Housing Portal link located under the Steps to Enrolling channel.

Housing Requirements 

To qualify for housing, you must:

• Have paid all your deposits by the deadline
• Be a full-time student

Please watch the recorded Information Sessions below for more information about the housing process:

The housing portal is an online system that enables students to manage all stages of the housing selection process. If you have paid the housing deposit of $200 within the deadline, you can access the portal by logging in to your myRider account and clicking on the Housing Portal link under the Housing & Dining Info card.

Students who have paid the $200 housing deposit by the deadline will be granted access to the housing portal. Through the portal, students will be able to complete their applications, form groups for apartment and suite housing, search for roommates, or create roommate pairings for standard housing. They can also select their housing and meal plans.

It is expected that students conduct themselves with integrity and respect throughout the room selection process. Any attempt to manipulate the room selection process is not allowed, as it can lead to fewer housing options for all students and a more stressful experience overall.

Room selection is done online through your myRider account. All students must select their rooms through the online housing portal accessible via the "Housing Portal" link on myRider accounts.

Applications will be accepted on the housing portal at any time. Housing options become limited the longer you wait to apply.

All residential students are required to participate in one of the University’s full meal plans.

Deposits and housing applications will continue to be accepted however you may have limited residence hall choices.

When you pay for your housing deposit, the amount is applied to your semester balance. It is important to note that once you have chosen your room assignment, the deposit cannot be refunded. However, if you have not yet selected a standard room, you may request a refund. Please keep in mind that refund requests will not be processed until after the room selection period has ended.

Please view our full Cancellation Policy here.

Prior to the start of the fall semester, which begins in late July through opening weekend, students will receive notifications about their room assignments via their Rider email accounts. These notifications will be sent multiple times throughout the summer and will include updated information about roommates and check-in procedures.

Students who are participating in standard room selection are not required to choose a roommate. However, they need to complete a roommate-matching questionnaire as part of the housing process. This questionnaire has been designed to give students the chance to search for potential roommates based on their online profiles.

If you don't want to pair yourself with someone before room selection, you can choose the space you want, and the next person looking for a space can select the open bed in that particular space.

Incoming students are not able to pair with current students.

Each student is assigned a lottery number for selection, which is based on their deposit date.

After students complete an application individual lottery numbers will be emailed to their Rider email account. For specific dates please refer to the Room Selection Process Timeline.

Individual time slots will be emailed to your Rider email account. For specific dates please refer to the Room Selection Process Timeline. Students will also be able to find their lottery numbers and timeslots on the housing portal.

No. Each number is specific to each student.

Students seeking an air conditioner based on a severe medical condition or disability must complete the form Housing/Dining Request for Students with Disabilities or Severe Medical Problems which can be found on the Students Accessibility and Support Services website.

All requests should be submitted on or before May 1st to ensure a timely review prior to the start of room selection.

Students seeking to be exempt from the meal plan based on a severe medical condition or disability must file for Housing/Dining Accommodations. Students who qualify for an accommodation based on a disability can be exempt from the meal plan. The Housing/Dining Accommodations form can be found on the Housing Accommodations webpage. All requests should be submitted on or before March 1st to ensure a timely review prior to the start of room selection.

In an effort to provide residence hall security during a time when the residence halls are closed, we have created guidelines for students who remain on campus through vacations. 

Please note the information below and be cautious as you come and go. We ask your cooperation in abiding by these regulations as you have been granted the privilege of staying in the halls when school is not in session.

• Only those students whose names are submitted to Residence Life by a coach, faculty or administrative staff member are permitted to reside on campus during vacations.

• Consumption of alcohol is not permitted, regardless of legal age. THE CAMPUS IS DRY WHEN THE UNIVERSITY IS CLOSED.

• No cooking in student rooms.

• No guests are permitted.

• There will be no mail delivery.

• All students approved to stay will be held financially accountable for any damage in their hall during the vacation. This will include cleaning fees, if necessary.

• All other Social Code regulations remain in effect during this time.

• Doors and windows are to be closed each time you exit the building. PLEASE DO NOT PROP DOORS.

• Call Public Safety (X5029) immediately if you notice strangers in or around the building.

• In the event of a fire alarm, evacuate immediately. Public Safety will respond and instruct you when you may re-enter the building.

Violation of any of these guidelines may result in the immediate revocation of housing privileges.

Winter Break Housing 

• Students enrolled in JTerm may take advantage of the JTerm housing rate.  Housing is available for current residential students registered in JTerm.  Housing is not available for high school students or visiting students.
• Students requesting J-term housing should complete the J-term application available on the Housing Portal via their myRider accounts.
• The University is not liable for any loss of personal property by theft, fire, water or any other cause. Please procure personal insurance, since the University cannot purchase this protection for students.
• Insurance vendor information is also included in the New Student Orientation Information.