Yes, for first-year students who do not live in Monterey, Santa Cruz or San Benito counties.
Who is the local Realtor for CSUMB?
Lori Hill of Compass is the CollegeHousing.ai real estate contact for California State University, Monterey Bay.
How can I schedule a callback with Lori?
Use Schedule a Callback and include your preferred day and time, housing plan and contact details. You can also call 831-588-7552. Appointment availability is confirmed with the professional.
How should I compare renting and buying?
Compare the complete housing arrangements, upfront cash, monthly costs, expected time near campus and plan after graduation. The rent-vs-buy calculator provides an editable illustration.
Who can help review financing?
Matt Dean of NEXA Lending, NMLS #227603, is the financing contact. Share the property, intended occupancy and your assumptions for an eligibility review.
Is CollegeHousing.ai affiliated with CSUMB?
CollegeHousing.ai and the local professionals are independent of California State University, Monterey Bay.
How do I confirm current property availability?
Ask Lori for current properties that fit your budget and timing. Confirm availability, price, lease or sale terms, and the specific address before making plans.
Are first-year students required to live on campus?
CSUMB states that first-year and sophomore students whose home is outside Monterey, Santa Cruz or San Benito counties are required to live in university housing. A first-year student seeking cancellation must use the Live-On Requirement Exception Request process.
When should my student apply for housing?
Incoming students must first confirm enrollment, then use MyHousing to submit the housing application, room/meal preferences, the $50 application fee and $150 housing down payment. CSUMB's 2026 application page lists February 2 for new residents and March 2 for current residents.
Can my student apply for housing before being admitted?
CSUMB's published steps require an incoming new student to complete the admitted-student enrollment confirmation before using MyHousing to apply for campus housing.
Does applying early improve the chance of getting a preferred dorm?
CSUMB's housing management guidance explicitly tells students to apply early to secure space and plan campus living. Because specific rooms and communities are inventory-limited, earlier completion can improve the student's practical options.
What happens if my student does not receive housing or is waiting for space?
CSUMB's 2026–27 cancellation policy expressly addresses students on the housing waitlist and states that those who have not been assigned a space are not subject to cancellation fees. Students should monitor MyHousing and university email for assignment updates.
Does a housing offer guarantee my student's preferred dorm or room type?
The application collects room and meal-plan preferences, while room changes, inclusive housing and disability placements are all described as availability-dependent. A preference is therefore a request rather than a guaranteed room assignment.
Can my student get an exemption from a first-year live-on requirement?
CSUMB requires affected first-year students to submit the Live-On Requirement Exception Request to be considered for housing cancellation. Approval is not automatic and may require supporting documentation.
Is the Cal State Monterey Bay housing contract legally binding?
CSUMB publishes a current 2026–27 individual Housing and Dining License Agreement. The cancellation page states that its terms remain in effect until Housing gives written approval of a cancellation.
Can we cancel the housing contract before move-in?
CSUMB lists no cancellation fee before June 1, 2026 and refunds the $150 prepayment; June 2 through August 3 uses the $150 prepayment as the cancellation fee; after August 3 the published fee is $300. Approval and required documentation still apply.
Can my student get out of the housing contract after moving in?
The student remains bound by the Housing License Agreement until written approval of cancellation is issued. CSUMB states that approved post-move-in cancellations require 30 days' notice and may include fees under the current agreement.
What happens to housing if my student withdraws, transfers, graduates or studies abroad?
CSUMB lists graduating, study abroad/exchange, withdrawal/leave, transfer, active military duty and extraordinary circumstances among reasons a student may request cancellation. The request is reviewed individually and is not approved merely by moving out.
Can we sign an off-campus lease while keeping the dorm as a backup?
A private lease does not terminate the CSUMB Housing and Dining License Agreement. Until CSUMB approves cancellation in writing, the university housing terms and charges remain in effect.
How and when are residence-hall charges billed?
The 2026–27 rates page states that Student Housing and Residential Life offers a default five-installment payment plan. Students can view the detailed housing/dining installments in OASIS and pay through CASHnet.
What is the true annual cost of living in a Cal State Monterey Bay residence hall?
Residence-hall room rates for 2026–27 are $5,694 single, $4,639 double and $3,944 triple/quad per semester, with a required meal plan. Other campus options have different rates and some do not require a meal plan, so parents should total the exact room plus dining charges for the student's assignment.
Can financial aid be used to pay for on-campus housing?
CSUMB publishes on-campus housing and food in the 2026–27 cost of attendance and provides OASIS instructions for reviewing anticipated financial aid alongside housing and meal charges.
Can student loans pay for on-campus housing?
CSUMB offers federal student loans through financial aid and includes on-campus housing/food in the 2026–27 cost-of-attendance budget. Loan eligibility and borrowing limits still control how much can be used.
Can choosing a more expensive dorm affect how much aid my student receives?
CSUMB publishes a cost-of-attendance allowance and separate actual housing rates by assignment. Families should compare the selected room's actual charge with the student's aid package rather than assume a premium room raises the award dollar-for-dollar.
Are payment plans available for residence-hall housing?
The current housing-rates page identifies a default five-installment plan, and OASIS shows the monthly breakdown of housing and meal charges. The detailed installment schedule should be confirmed in the student's account.
Are the housing application fee and prepayment refundable?
CSUMB requires a $50 housing application fee and a $150 down payment. For a 2026–27 cancellation before June 1, the $150 is refunded; later cancellations can convert it into or add a cancellation fee under the published schedule.
What does Cal State Monterey Bay room and board include?
CSUMB residence halls include student furniture, high-speed internet, no-charge laundry, secure ID-card access and shared building amenities. The housing-rates page separately lists the required residential meal-plan semester charge.
Is the meal plan included in the housing rate or charged separately?
CSUMB publishes housing rates and meal-plan rates separately. Residence Halls and Pinnacles/Vineyard suites require a residential meal plan; Strawberry, Promontory and East Campus apartment residents may choose a plan voluntarily.
Can a 529 plan be used to pay for Cal State Monterey Bay room and board?
IRS Publication 970 allows qualified 529/QTP room-and-board expenses for eligible students enrolled at least half time. CSUMB publishes room/board amounts in its cost of attendance and provides university payment options; families should document the actual charges and applicable federal cap.
Can my student choose a residence hall and room type?
CSUMB's application collects room preferences and its comparison chart shows which class levels can live in each housing type. Single rooms and other limited configurations are specifically marked as limited availability.
Can my student choose their roommate?
For Lavender Living, all roommate-group members must request and accept one another before room selection. Other housing preferences are managed through MyHousing and remain subject to assignment availability.
Is a requested roommate guaranteed?
CSUMB repeatedly states that placements and room changes depend on available housing. Even a fully confirmed roommate group cannot create a guarantee that a matching shared space will remain available.
Can requesting a particular roommate reduce our room or dorm options?
CSUMB's comparison chart restricts housing types by class level, and Lavender Living roommate groups must be fully confirmed before selection. A group can therefore have fewer available options than an individual.
What should my student do if they do not get along with their roommate?
CSUMB requires students seeking a conflict-based room change to complete a roommate agreement, try to resolve concerns directly and speak with their RA/CA and RLC. These staff can mediate and explain next steps.
Can my student change rooms after move-in?
Students submit the Room Change Application in MyHousing. Requests are reviewed by category and availability; approved students receive an official email and should not move before written confirmation.
My student looked up their roommate online and thinks they are incompatible. What should we do?
CSUMB emphasizes good-faith roommate communication and Residential Life mediation. If the issue is safety-related or involves documented conduct, the student should contact Housing/RA staff promptly.
Are single rooms available?
CSUMB publishes a 2026–27 residence-hall single rate of $5,694 per semester and labels singles limited availability. The Residence Halls page says singles are first offered to students registered with SDAC.
Is gender-inclusive roommate housing available?
Students can select Lavender Living in the housing application, and current residents may choose a gender-inclusive space during room selection if available. Placements remain subject to inventory.
Can students of different genders live together in a CSUMB residence-hall room?
Lavender Living is specifically designed for students who prefer a gender-inclusive environment, including students comfortable living with people of a different sex or gender identity. Roommate groups must be mutually confirmed.
What is a Living Learning Community at Cal State Monterey Bay?
Housing options include theme communities such as Lavender Living. These communities use the housing application/selection process and are subject to eligibility and available space.
What is the difference between an RA and the professional residence-hall staff?
CSUMB publishes on-duty RA/CA coverage after business hours and professional Student Housing and Residential Life contacts for administrative matters. Students should use the peer staff for immediate community support and escalate when the issue requires professional authority.
Who should my student contact first when something goes wrong in the dorm?
CSUMB has distinct support channels by problem type. RA/CA and RLC staff handle residential concerns, Housing Facilities receives work orders, and Student Housing and Residential Life manages housing/dining administration.
What is the difference between traditional, connecting/private-bath and apartment-style CSUMB housing?
CSUMB's comparison chart distinguishes room occupancy, bathroom and kitchen arrangements by housing type. Class-level eligibility and meal-plan requirements also differ among residence halls, suites and apartments.
How many students share a bathroom?
The 2026 comparison chart says Residence Halls have one bathroom per room, while North Quad suites have one bathroom per suite; apartment listings show unit-specific bedroom/bath counts such as 2BR/2BA or 4BR/4BA.
What furniture is already provided?
CSUMB's 2026 move-in page tells students what furniture is included before packing. East Campus has both furnished and unfurnished options, so that area must be checked against the exact assignment.
What size sheets does my student need?
CSUMB's current move-in page lists Twin extra-long beds in main-campus rooms, so students should bring Twin XL bedding unless their specific assignment says otherwise.
Do Cal State Monterey Bay residence halls have air conditioning?
CSUMB's current move-in page explicitly says Monterey's climate is mild and that rooms are not air-conditioned but include heating.
Can my student bring a portable air conditioner?
The current move-in page expressly lists air conditioners among items not permitted in student housing.
What appliances and items are prohibited in the dorm?
Students should use the 2026 move-in list as the controlling packing reference. Some appliances are allowed only in units with kitchens or kitchenettes, so housing type matters.
How does laundry work?
CSUMB lists no-charge laundry among residence-hall amenities. East Campus comparison information identifies hookups plus shared laundry, while Promontory listings describe in-unit washer/dryer availability.
Does housekeeping clean my student's bedroom?
The current move-in/living page clearly assigns personal living-space cleaning to residents while identifying public-area cleaning as a university service.
What happens if something breaks in the room?
CSUMB's Safety and Facilities page gives step-by-step MyHousing work-order instructions and categories for plumbing, HVAC, custodial, access and other issues. Residents can upload photos and details with the request.
What should my student do about mold, mildew, pests or suspected bedbugs?
Students should submit a detailed work order promptly and include photos when helpful. Urgent health/safety conditions should also be raised to RA/CA or professional Housing staff.
Is Wi-Fi included in residence halls?
CSUMB lists high-speed internet among residence-hall technology amenities. Students should use campus IT/Housing support for connection problems.
How does mail and package delivery work?
CSUMB tells residents not to send packages more than two weeks before classes and publishes mail/package guidance on the move-in/living page. Students should use the address format for their assigned housing.
Can parents and other family members visit the residence hall?
CSUMB's 2026–27 Community Standards require prior roommate/suitemate approval for overnight guests and registration with SHRL. Residence buildings remain secured by student ID, so guests do not receive independent resident access.
Do Cal State Monterey Bay residence halls have a curfew?
The current Moving-In and Living On Campus page says there is no curfew for residents. Quiet hours, guest rules, access controls and conduct standards still apply.
What are quiet hours?
The current Community Standards page links the 2026–27 standards and states quiet/courtesy expectations. Students should use the current-year standards for exact hours because finals and weekend schedules can differ.
Can overnight guests stay in my student's room?
CSUMB's current Community Standards require all overnight guests and residential visitors to be registered. The host is responsible for guest behavior, and limits apply to frequency and length of stays.
Is alcohol allowed in Cal State Monterey Bay residence halls?
The 2026 move-in page lists alcohol and illegal drugs, including cannabis, among prohibited housing items and directs residents to the Housing License Agreement and Community Standards for the full alcohol policy.
Are pets allowed in residence halls?
CSUMB lists fish as the ordinary residence-hall exception and allows approved pets in certain East Campus family housing. Disability-related service and emotional-support animals follow SDAC/Housing procedures.
Should my student have renter's or personal-property insurance?
The 2026–27 Housing Rates page states that all residents are automatically enrolled in GradGuard. It describes covered-event examples and a $100 deductible, subject to the policy terms.
If my student's belongings are stolen or damaged, will CSUMB reimburse us?
CSUMB lists theft, fire, smoke, vandalism, sprinkler discharge and certain water losses as examples that may be covered by the included GradGuard renters policy. The student should report the incident and follow the insurer's claims process.
How safe are Cal State Monterey Bay residence halls?
CSUMB combines controlled building access, residential staff coverage, emergency phones and police response. Parents should also review the university's Clery/security reporting for objective crime and safety information.
Where can I see Cal State Monterey Bay's crime and safety record?
The university publishes a Security Report portal with timely warnings and crime statistics. Housing's Safety and Facilities page also provides the current fire log and annual Fire Safety Report covering on-campus housing.
Are dorm buildings locked?
CSUMB tells residents not to allow others to tailgate into secured buildings. Residence-hall amenity information also lists secure ID-card building access.
Is there late-night transportation or an escort service?
Night Walk escorts are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Wave shuttle operates until 11 p.m. weekdays and CSUMB also offers registered students a late-night Lyft voucher program.
What happens during a residence-hall fire alarm?
CSUMB publishes building-specific evacuation plans. Residents should know exits, leave calmly and immediately, report to the assigned assembly location and check in with RA/professional staff for instructions.
How will my student know about a campus emergency?
Housing directs residents to University Police/911 for emergencies, and the university Security Report links timely-warning and safety information. Students should rely on official campus emergency messages rather than informal reports.
What should my student do if they become seriously sick or injured in the dorm?
CSUMB lists University Police and residential support contacts for urgent help and maintains campus Health and Wellness resources. A student with severe symptoms should seek emergency care rather than wait for Housing staff to make a medical diagnosis.
Can I call Housing and ask what is happening with my student's room or roommate problem?
CSUMB students can use university processes to authorize release to a third party. Without that authorization, Housing may be able to listen to a parent's concern but must protect the student's private records.
Can parents access a college student's education records if the student is our tax dependent?
The federal dependent-student exception gives a postsecondary institution discretion to release records to a qualifying parent. Parents should expect CSUMB to require appropriate documentation before relying on that exception.
Can CSUMB tell parents about an under-21 alcohol or drug violation?
CSUMB still applies its own conduct and disclosure policies, but federal FERPA expressly allows this type of parental disclosure for students under 21.
Does FERPA still apply if my Cal State Monterey Bay student is only 17?
FERPA rights transfer when a student attends a postsecondary institution, regardless of age. Parents therefore need consent or a recognized FERPA exception for protected records.
Can the college contact parents during a serious health or safety emergency?
The emergency exception is based on an actual or impending threat and the need to protect health or safety. It does not create routine parental access to CSUMB records.
How does my student request disability-related housing accommodations?
CSUMB describes a collaborative placement process between SDAC and Student Housing and Residential Life. Students should request early because placement matching an approved accommodation remains subject to available space.
If an accommodation is approved, does that guarantee a particular dorm or room?
CSUMB explicitly says accommodation requests are subject to availability. SDAC and Housing work together to identify a placement consistent with the approved need, but the process does not guarantee a particular room.
Can my student have a service animal or emotional-support animal in campus housing?
CSUMB directs ESA requests through its pet/application and SDAC-related housing process. Ordinary pet restrictions do not replace the separate rules for approved service or emotional-support animals.
What if my student has a severe food allergy or special dietary need?
CSUMB's housing-and-dining management page specifically directs students with dietary restrictions or medical concerns to Dining Services. Students should begin the process early and provide any documentation requested for a formal accommodation.
Is a meal plan required if my student lives in a Cal State Monterey Bay residence hall?
CSUMB requires a residential meal plan for Residence Halls and Pinnacles/Vineyard suites. Strawberry, Promontory and East Campus apartments do not require a plan under the 2026–27 rate table.
Can my student change the residence-hall meal plan?
All students may request a meal-plan change during the first two weeks of the semester through the add/drop deadline. Increases are also allowed once per semester before the final two weeks; decreases/terminations follow additional rules and may carry $50 or $150 fees.
When exactly can my student move in, and do they need an appointment?
CSUMB publishes a Fall 2026 Otter Move-In schedule by residence hall, floor and time. Students should use the current MyHousing assignment and the official move-in guide to arrive in their designated window.
What should we bring, and what should roommates coordinate before move-in?
CSUMB's move-in page lists included furniture and a detailed prohibited-items list. It also tells residents to coordinate with roommates before bringing shared items and provides separate packing guides for Residence Halls, North Quad/Promontory and East Campus.
What happens at move-out, and what do we do with belongings?
CSUMB's checkout page provides step-by-step move-out instructions, and the housing management page directs residents to that process. Students should use the current semester deadline for their housing area and complete all required checkout actions to avoid extra fees.
Sources & editorial context
University housing information is organized from the linked sources, with its original review date shown. Rates, deadlines and availability can change; use the applicable academic year and check the source before committing. CollegeHousing.ai is independent of California State University, Monterey Bay.
Get help with your next decision
Lori Hill, Broker Associate at Compass, is the local real estate contact. Matt Dean, NEXA Lending, NMLS #227603, is the financing contact.