General Questions
Are students required to live in student housing?
Student housing is an optional program for matriculated students and is not required for first-year students.
Is family housing available?
DigiPen Housing and Residence Life does not currently provide a family housing program. Students wishing to live with partners or children are encouraged to seek outside accommodations.
Can I view an apartment unit prior to applying?
Apartment tours of student spaces are not offered due to privacy and health concerns for current residents. See our Housing Options for sample floor plans, and see each apartment’s website for photos and virtual tours.
What are your policies on COVID-19 and vaccinations?
DigiPen Housing and Residence Life is committed to our residents’ safety. Training and procedures have been put in place to address all COVID-19 related concerns. DigiPen Housing and Residence Life currently requires that all residents be fully vaccinated for COVID-19.
The number of suspected and reported COVID-19 cases, along with state and local guidelines, will factor into policies implemented by DigiPen Housing and Residence Life. These policies may be adjusted as needed.
DigiPen Housing and Residence Life also requires residents to submit proof of vaccinations for:
- Measles
- Mumps
- Rubella (MMR)
- Tetanus-Diphtheria booster
Based on American College Health Association (ACHA) guidelines, DigiPen Housing also recommends residents be vaccinated against Meningococcal Quadrivalent (A, C, Y, and W-135), Polio, Varicella, Pertussis, Human Papillomavirus Vaccine, Tuberculosis (TB), Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Influenza, and Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine-23 valent.
Who can access my housing information?
Through FERPA (Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act) guidelines, DigiPen Housing and Residence Life will only provide information directly to parents/guardian who have been provided FERPA Waivers. Sharing any information with your parent or guardian regarding your housing is up to your discretion.
See our FERPA page for more information on your rights as a student. Please visit the DigiPen Housing application portal if you wish to designate a FERPA “Proxy” for DigiPen Housing and Residence Life.
What is the alcohol and drug policy?
Alcohol, drugs (including marijuana), and related paraphernalia are not allowed in units, even if a resident is over 21 years of age. Please see our handbook and agreements for the full policy description.
What is the smoking policy?
Smoking is not allowed inside DigiPen Housing and Residence Life units or on balconies. Many of the complexes we work with additionally have strict “no smoking policies” for their entire property. Please note that this includes e-cigarettes, hookah, vaping, and any other way to smoke tobacco and/or marijuana. Please see our handbook and agreements for the full policy description.
Is there an additional cost for housing over holidays and break?
Residents are allowed to stay in their assigned units over fall, winter, and spring break periods at no additional cost. DigiPen Staff require all students to register for break periods ensures that Housing staff know you are present in the event of an emergency.
How can I pay for housing?
Rental Charges are billed at the beginning of each semester, and payment dates align with tuition payments. Please see Tuition and Housing Payments for information on the different methods to pay for student housing.
Can I choose my roommates? How are roommates assigned?
Roommate preferences can be expressed in your housing application. Due to availability, not all requests may be honored. Our Housing team designates roommate placements based on preferences expressed in the application.
Can I choose a specific DigiPen apartment community?
Residents are not able to select a specific apartment community and are instead assigned an apartment based on availability and priority. Our apartment communities all offer similar amenities, walkability, size, and interior finishings.
What If I need to edit my application after submitting?
Edits can be made directly on the application portal. If you have trouble or run into any technical issues, email housing@digipen.edu and we will be able to assist you.
I don’t have a personal vehicle. Is the area walkable or bikeable?
All our apartment communities are within a 2-mile radius of campus, local grocery stores, eateries, and nature trails. Bike racks are present at each complex.
Additionally, the DigiPen shuttle connects each of our complexes to the main campus. The shuttle runs on a schedule, and rides can be scheduled when needed. Learn more at our Transportation and Parking page.
What are the food options for students on campus? Is there a meal plan?
Bytes Cafe & Lounge is DigiPen’s main dining hall and a regular congregation area for students, staff, and faculty. Bytes serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner with year-round offerings that can accommodate many dietary restrictions, preferences, and tastes. Learn more about our dining hall at our Cafe and Student Store page.
DigiPen Housing and Residence Life does not offer partnered meal plans with Bytes Cafe & Lounge. Any meal cards for Bytes Cafe & Lounge must be purchased separately and are not included in the cost of housing.
What sort of furniture is provided? Can I bring my own items?
Furniture is provided, and you see a list of furniture at our Housing Options page. As for your own personal items, be sure to communicate with your roommates if you are bringing items like snowboards, bikes, a desktop computer, musical instruments, and other large items. Please see our handbook and agreements for the full policy description.
Can I have a pet in student housing?
No pets of any kind are allowed in DigiPen Housing and Residence Life. If you require a service, emotional support, or therapy animal as an accommodation for a documented disability, please see the Requesting Housing Accommodations page or contact the Disability Support Services Office for information about required documentation, policies, and requesting this accommodation.
What is the difference between a single, double, and triple room?
Rooms are assigned a number of occupants based on the size of the room and the apartment floorplan. Rooms are also determined by any applicable accommodations. A single room refers to a room occupied by one resident, a double room by two residents, and a triple room by three residents. As there may be multiple bedrooms in an apartment, this does not refer to the total number of residents in an assigned apartment.
What does my Housing payment cover?
Your semesterly housing payment is inclusive of: wireless services (Wi-Fi), utilities (electric, water, gas, trash, parking), maintenance services, shuttle service to and from DigiPen campus, community amenities (seasonal pool and fitness center usage), limited furnishings, services, and community events provided by the DigiPen Housing and Residence Life team.
Rainbow Community
What is the difference between Rainbow and Gender Inclusive Housing?
Rainbow is an interest-based residential community that is limited to eligible students who apply, are accepted, and agree to abide by the community guidelines set for this living learning community that is listed in the Housing Agreement.
Gender Inclusive Housing is an option provided for the entire resident population of DigiPen Housing and Residence Life that allows our residents to be placed with other residents who self-selected the Gender Inclusive Housing option on their Housing Application.
What are the benefits of being a part of Rainbow?
Being a part of Rainbow allows you to connect with other LGBTQQIA+ individuals and allies at and around DigiPen, as well as participate in programming that is geared for LGBTQQIA+ students and allies.
You’ll also be assigned a Resident Assistant (RA) who is aware, knowledgeable, and trained on the intersectional experiences that exists withing the LGBTQQIA+ community.
How many residents will be in Rainbow?
The number of residents placed in Rainbow will be limited and based on interest.
Will residents in Rainbow be living with each other and placed in apartments that are in proximity of each other?
Yes, we will be dedicating a limited number of apartments within one of our communities that will allow Rainbow residents to live with and near each other for the academic term.
Is Rainbow only for first-year DigiPen students?
No, Rainbow is available for all current students at DigiPen regardless of class standing.
How do I request roommates for Rainbow?
Rainbow applicants can request roommates by name within the Housing Application. You and your requested roommate must both be accepted to Rainbow for this request to be honored. Requests will be honored depending on availability of spaces and other application factors.
What happens if I don’t get along with my direct roommate and/or housemates while in Rainbow?
Our Resident Assistants (RA) are trained to mediate any interpersonal issues that may come up between residents in their assigned apartment. Housing staff may also attend and assist a mediation when needed or requested. If a mediation is unable to resolve the identified issue(s), other options may be explored depending on the situation and/or availability of spaces.
Will my parent(s) or guardian(s) know if I apply or have been placed in Rainbow?
It is up to your discretion to share any information with your parents or guardians regarding your housing placement. Please be mindful when sharing emails and information as Housing will provide information regarding any living learning community acceptance in official communications and systems. Housing will only provide information directly to parents or guardians who have been provided FERPA Waivers. See our FERPA page for more information.
Are there any other resources available for LGBTQQIA+ students at DigiPen?
Please feel free to visit the following pages to learn more about the resources available for LGBTQQIA+ students at DigiPen: