This policy applies to all students

Live On Residency Policy

California College of the Arts is committed to supporting the success of our students. Research consistently demonstrates that students who live on campus have higher rates of retention and graduation than students who live off campus.

Full-time First Year students starting in the summer or fall semesters are required to live on-campus for their first and second academic years.

Full-time First Year students starting in the spring are required to live on-campus for their first semester and second academic year.

Transfer students starting in the fall are required to live on-campus during their first and second academic year unless they meet one of the following; (Incoming Fall 2025 Class)

• are age 23 or older by move in date (Fall 2025: August 18, 2025)
• Or have completed more than 60 transferable college credits when they start the semester

Transfers students starting in the spring semester are required to live on-campus during their first semester and second academic year unless they meet one of the following; (Incoming Fall 2025 Class)

• are age 23 or older by move in date (Spring 2026: January 14, 2025)
• Or have completed more than 60 transferable college credits when they start the semester

Requirement applies to students enrolled half time or more.

Transfer students who meet one or both of the above criteria do not need to submit an exemption request. To confirm your eligibility, please email housingdining@cca.edu.

Non compliance fee

Students that do not fulfill their obligation to the required live-on residency requirement without an approved exemption by June 15 (for Fall start), and by December 1 (for Spring start) will be billed a non compliance fee equivalent to the current rate for a double studio in Founders Hall.

Exemptions

Continuing Students

Exemption requests must be made prior to start term move in. For students who have received an approved exemption, only Financial Hardship exemptions do not include the second academic year and must be resubmitted before the exemption deadline period the following year.

Incoming Students

Exemption requests must be submitted via Workday (for Financial Hardship, Commuter, Married, Parenting, Caregiving, or Veteran exemptions) and the Access/Disability Intake Process for Medical Exemptions, by the respective deadlines listed below. Each request is reviewed on an individual basis. All requests require verification documentation.

Requests are not final until they are reviewed and a determination (approved or denied) is made by the college. Students that do not fulfill their obligation to the required live-on residency requirement without an approved exemption by June 15 (for Fall start), and by December 1 (for Spring start) will be billed according to the fee mentioned above. Approved exemption requests include the full live on requirement (includes second academic year). Financial Hardship exemptions only include the current academic year and must be resubmitted before the exemption deadline period the following year.

Exemptions may be granted for:

• Medical Hardship: Student has a medical or accessibility need that cannot be accommodated by CCA and have gone through the Access / Disability Services intake process.
• Financial Hardship: Student has financial circumstances that sufficiently demonstrate the requirement to live on campus would create an undue financial hardship preventing the student from attending the College. A review and confirmation by the CCA Office of Student Financial Assistance is required. Financial Hardship exemptions only include the current academic year and must be resubmitted before the exemption deadline period the following year.
• Commuter: Student resides with parent(s) or court-appointed guardian(s) within a 40-mile radius of California College of the Arts Main Campus of 1111 8th St, San Francisco. Documentation is required as follows:
  • utility bill, lease, or mortgage (block out sensitive/confidential information);
  • plus confirmation that it's the parent or guardian with the student's birth certificate or court-appointed document proving guardianship.
  • plus one of the following: 1) parent narrative statement that their child lives with them at the address provided, or 2) tax returns stating the Parent’s name, the residential address and the total household size within two years.
• Married, Parenting, or Caregiving Student: Students can provide documentation (marriage license, birth certificate, or paperwork demonstrating relationship between dependent adults), to confirm status.
• Veteran: Student is a confirmed veteran of military service who has submitted a DD214 form to CCA Office of the Student Records.

Student Housing Refund & Cancellation Policies

Academic Year Housing Cancellation Policy

Students not fulfilling their obligation to the required live-on residency requirement without an approved exemption by June 15 (for Fall start), and by December 1 (for Spring start) will be billed accordingly for the cost of housing at the current rate for a double studio in Founders Hall.

Cancellation Policy (applicable for students not required to live on)

Students who have submitted a Housing License Agreement, and subsequently submit a Housing Cancellation Form to CCA Housing on or before July 1 (Fall applicants) or December 15 (Spring only applicants) will:

• forfeit their room assignment,
• be released from their Housing License Agreement,
• and be charged a $0 Housing Cancellation Fee.

Students who have submitted a Housing License Agreement, and subsequently submit a Housing Cancellation Form to CCA Housing after July 1 (Fall applicants) or December 15 (Spring only applicants) but before taking occupancy will:

• forfeit their room assignment,
• be released from their Housing License Agreement,
• and be charged a $2,500 Contract Breakage fee.

Taking occupancy is defined as picking up the keys to an assigned room. Students who do not take occupancy or set up arrangements with CCA Housing, or arrange to do so by the date term courses begin will:

• forfeit their room assignment,
• be released from their Housing License Agreement,
• be charged a $3,500 Contract Breakage fee,
• and incur a housing fee equal to the prorated amount for their assigned space from the start date of the License Agreement through the date that term courses begin.

Students who submit a Housing Cancellation Form after taking occupancy and before the end of the License Agreement Period will incur a $2,500 contract breakage fee, and will be charged a prorated amount for the time of occupancy starting from the scheduled move-in date and ending the date their check-out is complete.

Allowable reasons and methods to cancel housing during the License Period with no contract breakage fee:

• Withdrawal or LOA from CCA: Students who complete one of these processes and are no longer enrolled will submit a Housing Cancellation Form and contact CCA Housing to arrange a checkout. Students will have 72 hours to move out after their classes are dropped. Students will be charged a prorated amount for the time of occupancy starting from the scheduled move-in date and ending the date their check-out is complete.
• Study Abroad: Students participating in a CCA-approved study abroad or exchange program will be released from their housing contract for the spring semester. They must submit a Housing Cancellation Form to CCA Housing on or before December 1 to be eligible for this exception. Students traveling in spring are expected to check-out of their Fall housing assignments by Noon on the day following the last day of finals for the preceding fall semester.
• December Graduation: Students graduating in December will be released from their License Agreement at the end of the Fall semester. Students must submit a Housing Cancellation Form to CCA Housing by December 1 to be eligible for this exception. They are expected to check-out of their Fall housing assignments by Noon on the day following the last day of classes for the fall semester. Failure to move out by Noon on the day following the last day of classes for the fall semester (unless otherwise scheduled by CCA) will result in the student being charged the full spring semester portion of their housing license agreement.

Students who are dismissed from housing and/or enrollment at CCA for academic or disciplinary reasons will be released from their Housing License Agreement. They will incur a $2,500 contract breakage fee and will be charged a prorated amount for the time of occupancy starting from the scheduled move-in date and ending the date their check-out is complete.

Summer housing applications, contracts, cancellations, and refunds are handled separately. For more information, see Portal.

If you wish to cancel you housing assignment, complete the Housing Cancelation Form.

Exemption Process: Step by Step

(for Financial Hardship, Commuter, Married, Parenting, Caregiving, or Veteran exemptions)

Step 1: Login to Workday using your CCA username and password

Step 2: Type in and select "create request" in the search field

Step 3: Type in "housing" in the request type field

Step 4: Select "Housing Live-On Residency Policy Exemption"

Step 5: Follow the remaining prompts to complete and submit your request.

If you have any questions regarding the exemption process contact housingdining@cca.edu

Medical Accommodations & Exemption Process

Students who have a medical or accessibility need will complete Access / Disability Services intake process. Those who cannot be accommodated by CCA may be granted an exemption to the Live On Requirement.

1. Schedule an intake appointment: This is your first step. Our team is ready to meet with you and learn more about your experience. We can review the next steps together and assist you through any obstacles you may have in obtaining documentation, navigating health insurance, etc.
2. Documentation of Disability: Since the amount and type of documentation required will depend on the individual situation and specific requests, feel free to wait until after your first meeting to share this with us. You can share documentation in the steps below if you have documentation already. Feel free to share CCA's documentation guidelines with your clinician as well.
3. Complete the necessary forms:
   1. Housing / Meal Plan Accommodations Request Form (for any housing / meal-plan-related accommodations)
   2. Optional: Authorize a third-party to receive your information (if someone plans to join you during a meeting)
4. Interactive Discussion During Your Appointment: We will discuss the barriers you experience and what types of accommodations may improve access. This conversation is key to understanding your unique experiences.
5. Stay in Touch: If you have any questions, or concerns, or need to adjust your accommodations, let's meet. We understand your access sets you up for success, so it is our top priority.

Questions regarding Medical Accommodations & Exemptions should be directed to Access@cca.edu.

*Exemption requests that are submitted after the posted deadline will not be considered.

Operations & Processes

Students are held responsible to read and understand CCA's Housing Operations & Processes.

Questions regarding your housing registration, application, or assignment should be directed to housingdining@cca.edu

Billing

Questions regarding your housing or dining charges? Please contact studentaccounts@cca.edu.