COLUMBIA STUDENT HOUSING

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of housing is provided to Columbia College Students?

Students at Columbia College can live in apartment style accommodations that are located within walking distance of classes. The student housing community is made up of four buildings, three stories high, with one main building which includes all resident amenities.

Is housing open to residents who aren’t students at Columbia College?

The housing at Columbia College is a residential community for students who attend the college.

Can I choose who to live with or can you match me with roommates?

Residents can select their apartment-mate(s) during the application process, or they can apply on their own and we will provide a match. Applicants will answer a questionnaire when applying for housing to help in the matching process, which occurs over the summer months.

How many roommates will I have?

All apartments are sized with two bedrooms and residents have the option of choosing either a single- or double-bedroom occupancy. This could mean a total of four, three, or two students are living in the apartment.

Are the apartments single gender?

Room assignments are based on the applicants’ preferences for either a traditional same gender specific apartment or a mixed, non-gender specific apartment. We will assign a resident to a non-gender specific or mixed gender apartment only if selected on the resident’s application or a consent form.

What size is the apartment?

Our apartments are each approximately 750 square feet, which consists of two furnished bedrooms, a bathroom, and a common area with a kitchenette and full-sized refrigerator.

Is the apartment furnished?

Yes, all apartments come furnished. Each resident is provided in the bedroom, a twin bed frame and mattress, a wardrobe, nightstand, lamp, and desk. The common area has a dining table and chairs.

Is there a meal plan?

All apartments are equipped with a kitchenette, which includes a two-burner stove top, a full-sized refrigerator, and a pantry area. We invite our residents to bring a microwave oven and/or toaster oven. There is a snack bar and student-run restaurant on campus within easy walking distance of the student housing. Prepaid convenience meal cards may be purchased at the bookstore for use in the campus cafeteria. Additionally, Columbia College offers the Ponderosa Pantry, an on- campus food pantry, for student who are experiencing food insecurities.

Is the price for housing for the entire apartment or by the individual?

Each resident signs a housing agreement that is based on the individual’s cost for housing. The housing agreements ensure each resident is responsible for their bed space and not that of the entire apartment.

What is included in the housing cost?

Included in the housing cost, are provided:

Bedroom furniture
Gas
Electric
Water/sewer
Trash removal
Internet

Is a co-signer required?

Each applicant is required to provide a qualifying financial guarantor (often a parent) when applying for housing. In some circumstances, this requirement may be waived.

Can my student financial aid cover the cost of housing?

Financial aid cost of living for Columbia College students is best determined by speaking to a financial aid specialist. Any student receiving financial aid, may utilize funds to pay for the cost of housing. It is important to note that the financial aid process is separate from the student housing process and that each applicant’s financial aid is different.

What kind of amenities are provided?

The student housing community has a recreation room, study rooms, and a laundry facility. Additionally, there are resident advisors who plan residential programs and monthly events for community members.

What kind of safety and security is provided?

The student housing community has afterhours staffed security personnel, a video surveillance system, as well as an assigned resident advisor to each building. Additionally, Columbia College public safety officers (209-588-5167) are available 24 hours a day and can provide safety escorts to and from campus.

What kind of safety and security is provided?

What are the policies on pets, smoking, drinking, and guests?

The community assumes all student codes of conduct. Columbia College and student housing is a smoke-free. Guests are welcomed to the community, subject to limits on duration of visitation and apartment-mate consent. Animals and pets are not permitted at the community. Reasonable requests for accommodation of an assistance animal, when its use is necessary to afford a person with a disability, an equal opportunity to use and enjoy housing, may be requested. Information about the process for establishing a housing accommodation for a disability will be provided to anyone in need of such an accommodation.

What public transportation options are there and the cost?

Tuolumne County Transit and Calaveras County Transit provide shuttle transportation to and from the college. Additionally, students of Columbia College are able to ride any route, any time, for free when they present their Student ID card.

What are the nearest airports, bus, or train stations to travel outside of campus?

Columbia College is in the city of Sonora, CA. Cities within one hour and a half of campus with a bus and train station are Modesto and Stockton. Cities within two and a half hours from campus with major airports are San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose.