Question 1

Who is the local Realtor for Emory?

Accepted Answer

Neil Hediger of Compass is the CollegeHousing.ai real estate contact for Emory University.

Question 2

How can I schedule a callback with Neil?

Accepted Answer

Use Schedule a Callback and include your preferred day and time, housing plan and contact details. You can also call 678-642-9037. Appointment availability is confirmed with the professional.

Question 3

How should I compare renting and buying?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 4

Who can help review financing?

Accepted Answer

Matt Dean of NEXA Lending, NMLS #227603, is the financing contact. Share the property, intended occupancy and your assumptions for an eligibility review.

Question 5

Is CollegeHousing.ai affiliated with Emory?

Accepted Answer

CollegeHousing.ai and the local professionals are independent of Emory University.

Question 6

How do I confirm current property availability?

Accepted Answer

Ask Neil for current properties that fit your budget and timing. Confirm availability, price, lease or sale terms, and the specific address before making plans.

Question 7

Is on-campus housing guaranteed for my student?

Accepted Answer

Emory’s 2026–27 Residential Housing Agreement states that housing is guaranteed for first- and second-year students who are subject to the University’s two-year residency requirement, although a specific room, building, or room type is not guaranteed. Third- and fourth-year housing and transfer housing are offered based on available space.

Question 8

Are first-year students required to live on campus?

Accepted Answer

Emory’s 2026–27 housing agreement establishes a two-year residency requirement covering first- and second-year students and students who have completed fewer than four earned fall/spring semesters. Students remain subject to that rule unless Housing approves an exemption.

Question 9

How many years of on-campus housing are guaranteed?

Accepted Answer

For the standard Atlanta-campus undergraduate path, Emory’s 2026–27 agreement ties its housing guarantee to the first two years of the residency requirement. The guarantee is for housing generally, not for a chosen building, room type, or roommate.

Question 10

When should my student apply for housing?

Accepted Answer

Emory’s 2026–27 first-year guide lists April 1, 2026 at noon as the application opening and June 1, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. as the application and roommate-matching deadline. The exact dates differ for second-year and upperclass processes, so students should use the guide for their class year.

Question 11

Can my student apply for housing before being admitted?

Accepted Answer

Emory’s first-year housing guide places the housing application after admission and enrollment steps and directs incoming students to MyHousing. A prospective student who has not yet been admitted cannot complete the normal residence-hall application process.

Question 12

Does applying early improve the chance of getting a preferred dorm?

Accepted Answer

Emory’s 2026–27 first-year guide says first-year students cannot select a specific residence hall and that housing assignments are randomized. Completing the application by the published deadline is what matters for the regular first-year process; submitting earlier does not create a priority ranking for a preferred first-year dorm.

Question 13

What happens if my student does not receive housing or is waiting for space?

Accepted Answer

Emory guarantees housing to students covered by the first- and second-year residency requirement. Third- and fourth-year students can enter the upperclass housing process but housing is not guaranteed, and transfer housing is offered as space is available. Students awaiting space should keep following MyHousing and Housing Operations instructions rather than assume an assignment is secured.

Question 14

Does a housing offer guarantee my student's preferred dorm or room type?

Accepted Answer

Emory’s 2026–27 agreement expressly preserves University discretion over assignments and says the guarantee is for University housing, not a particular facility or accommodation. First-year students also cannot choose a specific building.

Question 15

Can my student get an exemption from a first-year live-on requirement?

Accepted Answer

Emory’s 2026–27 housing agreement provides a formal exemption path from the first- and second-year residency requirement. Approval is based on the University’s listed eligibility grounds and supporting documentation; students should keep the on-campus obligation in place until an exemption is approved.

Question 16

What reasons qualify for a first-year housing exemption?

Accepted Answer

The 2026–27 Residential Housing Agreement lists specific exemption grounds for students otherwise subject to the first- and second-year residency requirement. These include a permanent residence within 30 miles of the Atlanta campus, a documented medical condition that cannot reasonably be accommodated through Emory’s disability-accommodation process, marriage, and a requirement to live with a dependent.

Question 17

Is the Emory housing contract legally binding?

Accepted Answer

Once the student completes the agreement, the 2026–27 contract creates a binding obligation for the academic year, including fall, winter, and spring-break periods, subject only to its stated cancellation, exemption, and release provisions. Students under 18 require a parent or guardian co-signature.

Question 18

Can we cancel the housing contract before move-in?

Accepted Answer

Emory requires cancellation requests through its housing process and reviews them under the 2026–27 agreement. For a full academic-year agreement, the published cancellation fee schedule is $200 through April 30, $400 in May, $800 in June, $1,600 in July, and $3,200 beginning August 1, subject to listed exemptions from fees.

Question 19

Can my student get out of the housing contract after moving in?

Accepted Answer

The 2026–27 agreement provides a post-move withdrawal schedule. During weeks 1–5, the room refund percentage declines from 100% to 20% while the administrative fee declines from $600 to $200; beginning week 6 the agreement states there is no room refund. Other approved releases are governed by the contract’s eligibility and fee provisions.

Question 20

What happens to housing if my student withdraws, transfers, graduates or studies abroad?

Accepted Answer

Emory’s 2026–27 agreement identifies circumstances such as December graduation, approved leave, and Emory-approved study abroad/study away among the situations that can support contract release or cancellation-fee relief. A student who is no longer enrolled must vacate as directed—generally within 48 hours after notice—and should complete the Housing cancellation process rather than simply stop occupying the room.

Question 21

Can we sign an off-campus lease while keeping the dorm as a backup?

Accepted Answer

The 2026–27 agreement specifically advises students not to finalize off-campus housing until they have written approval of a housing cancellation or release. Signing another lease does not by itself end the Emory housing obligation, so a family could become responsible for both arrangements.

Question 22

How and when are residence-hall charges billed?

Accepted Answer

Emory’s housing agreement provides that room charges are assessed by term to the student account. Student Accounts publishes September 2, 2026 as the Fall 2026 payment deadline. Families should use the student account for the actual posted amount and current deadline because billing dates can change by term.

Question 23

What is the true annual cost of living in an Emory residence hall?

Accepted Answer

Emory publishes a standard residence-hall double at $6,248 per semester for 2026–27 and first-year Plan A at $4,584 per semester. That makes a representative double-room plus Plan A cost $10,832 per semester, or $21,664 across fall and spring. A single, triple, or another eligible housing/dining configuration changes the total.

Question 24

Can financial aid be used to pay for on-campus housing?

Accepted Answer

Emory’s financial-aid cost-of-attendance framework includes housing and food. Aid is applied under the student’s overall financial-aid eligibility and student-account rules; the amount of aid available is not a separate housing guarantee.

Neil Hediger

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