General Questions
Are students required to live in student housing?
DigiPen Housing is an optional program for matriculated students attending DigiPen Institute of Technology and is not required for any 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.
Does DigiPen Housing offer private rooms or apartments?
DigiPen Housing and Residence Life does not currently provide private rooms or apartments. Students looking for private living styles are encouraged to seek outside accommodations. Exceptions apply and are determined by the Disability Support Services Office.
Can I view a DigiPen apartment prior to applying?
Apartment tours of student spaces are not offered due to privacy and health concerns for current residents. See our Housing Options page for sample floor plans. Photos and virtual tours can be found on each apartment’s website.
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 should they arise.
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 requires residents to submit proof of vaccinations for the following:
- 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. DigiPen Housing and Residence Life also recommends that residents be vaccinated for COVID-19, per CDC and Washington State guidelines.
Residents must submit proof of immunization before being approved for move-in. Proof of vaccination may include, but is not limited to, a copy of a vaccination record, a letter from a healthcare provider, or an official immunization registry record. Proof of vaccination may be required to be submitted in English. Residents may be exempt from certain vaccine requirements for medical or religious reasons. However, exemptions will only be granted in accordance with applicable state and federal laws.
DigiPen Housing and Residence Life currently partners with MedProctor, an online vaccination review service. When vaccination documents are required to be submitted, applicants will receive instructions via email.
Who can access my housing information?
DigiPen Housing and Residence Life follows all of the guidelines outlined in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Residents can choose to allow others to access their records and information retained by DHL as they deem appropriate. This access is also termed as FERPA “Proxy.”
Residents can provide and revoke their FERPA Proxy via the housing portal. Residents can submit a new form at any time if they wish to change any or all of the permissions they have granted to others.
Persons granted FERPA Proxy may contact DigiPen Housing and Residence Life on behalf of the student and receive information retained by DigiPen Housing (such as currently assigned housing address, application status, etc.), and in limited cases — act on behalf of the student.
See our FERPA page for more information on your rights as a student.
What is the alcohol and drug policy?
Alcohol, drugs (including marijuana), and related paraphernalia are not allowed in apartments, 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 apartments or on balconies. Many of the communities 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.
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 community.
Additionally, the DigiPen shuttle connects each of our communities 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 Dragon Shop 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?
A list of furniture is provided on our Housing Options page. As for your own personal items, be sure to communicate with your future roommates if you desire to bring large items like snowboards, bikes, a desktop computer, musical instruments, and other large items as space may be limited. 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. Only DSS approved service, emotional support, or therapy animals are allowed to reside in, or visit DigiPen Housing premises.
What is the difference between double and triple room types?
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.
Double rooms are occupied by two residents and contain two single beds. Triple rooms are occupied by three residents and contain one single bed and two bunk beds. As there may be multiple bedrooms in an apartment, this does not refer to the total number of residents in an assigned apartment.
Are beds assigned within a room?
No, beds are not assigned to a specific resident upon placement. It is the responsibility of the residents assigned to the room to determine which bed they will occupy for the housing term. Should the assigned roommates come to disagreement, housing staff may randomly assign beds, and/or assist in conflict mediation.
Are there any options to bunk, loft, or adjust the height of my DigiPen Housing provided bed?
Beds cannot be un-bunked, bunked, deconstructed, lowered, or raised without written permission from DigiPen Housing staff. Requests to raise or lower the height of a provided bed may be made to housing@digipen.edu where an appointment with DigiPen Housing staff can be made for assistance. Requests will be approved or denied based on staff and furniture availability, as well as the layout of the room.
Do I have to move out in between offered housing terms?
DigiPen Housing provides a seamless transition period for students who are confirmed to continue from one term to the next. During this transition period, students may or may not be required to move to another apartment. Students who are not continuing to the next housing term may have a different move-out date. See our Housing Agreements for more information on move-in and move-out dates for each housing term.
What happens if I don’t get along with my direct roommate and/or housemates?
Resident Assistants are trained to mediate any interpersonal issues that may come up between residents in their assigned apartment. DigiPen Housing and Residence Life staff may also attend and assist with 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. See our Community Policies and Housing Agreement section for more information.
Are there resources available for LGBTQ+ students at DigiPen?
Please feel free to visit the following pages to learn more about the resources available for LGBTQ+ students at DigiPen:
Housing Payments
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.
How can I pay for housing?
Costs for DigiPen Housing 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.
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 Housing and Residence Life may require all students to register for break periods to ensure that DigiPen Housing staff know you are present in the event of an emergency.
Applying for Housing
Can I choose my roommates? How are roommates assigned?
Students fill out a roommate matching survey and can also request to live with other specific students through the housing application. Requests for roommates are granted based on availability.
Can I choose a specific DigiPen apartment community?
Residents are not able to select a specific apartment community when applying 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 missed the application deadline! Now what?
Students who do not apply by our listed deadlines may email housing@digipen.edu to request a late application. Students who apply late are assigned a lower priority for placement.
I changed my mind! How do I cancel my application?
You can change your mind at any time, and all stipulations regarding cancellation and termination of contract can be found in our Housing Agreement. Deposits will be returned for all cancellations made by the cancellation deadline. Cancellations made after the cancellation deadline are not eligible for deposit refund. Cancellations may be requested in writing to housing@digipen.edu through the student’s DigiPen email, or through the housing portal in the Manage Application menu under Student Landing.
Confirmations, Placements, and Waitlist
What is a confirmation?
Housing confirmations provide incoming first-year students an assurance that they will be housed at the start of academic semester. Based on our estimated availability, students will be placed in either our core program or in Overflow Housing. Confirmations do not provide placement information and are only provided to first-year students who meet our priority and general application deadlines. These confirmations help provide additional planning time for first-year students, especially those students making college decisions or moving to the Redmond area for the first time.
What is a placement?
Housing placements inform incoming residents of their designated apartment and assigned room. Placements are made based on the information in your application and DigiPen Housing’s availability. Please note that this may change before move-in based on our need to consolidate apartments or shift assignments. If a change occurs for your apartment, we will notify you as soon as possible via email. All updates will be reflected in the housing portal where your assignment and roommates can be viewed at any time.
When I am placed in housing, what information will I receive?
Placement emails contain:
- Your assigned community’s name
- Roommate information (name and DigiPen email)
- Apartment type (number of bedrooms and bathrooms)
- Room type (double or triple)
- Assigned room (master or non-master)
- Instructions on next steps for move-in
I have been placed in Overflow Housing. What does this mean?
Overflow Housing is a temporary housing arrangement for first-year students to ensure housing at the start of the academic year. Overflow Housing is utilized when DigiPen Housing is at capacity and has no available spaces. First-year students are placed in Overflow Housing when it is expected they will not receive a placement offer within the program before move-in day.
Students placed in Overflow Housing will be contacted prior to move-in day if a placement becomes available in our core program. If space becomes available during the housing term, residents in Overflow Housing may be required to accept and move to their new placement. Students may be housed in Overflow Housing for the entirety of the housing term if space does not become available in the core program.
Overflow Housing details will be shared with applicable students prior to move-in. In previous years, DigiPen Housing has partnered with the Hilton Garden Inn in Redmond to provide Overflow Housing.
If a student no longer wishes to be placed in Overflow Housing and a space is not available, the student may choose to be placed on the waitlist or cancel their application — deposit refunds are offered in exception to our policy.
I have been placed on the waitlist for housing. What does this mean?
Being placed on the waitlist means that DigiPen Housing was unable to offer you a housing assignment for the upcoming housing term due to availability. Being placed on the waitlist does not guarantee housing, but it does mean you will be considered for any available spaces that may become available before or during the housing term. If you no longer wish to remain on the waitlist or be considered for placement, deposit refunds are offered in exception to our policy.
Preparing for Move-In
What requirements do I need to complete before move-in?
If you have already received your placement email, read it thoroughly as it contains important dates and instructions on how to complete the pre-move-in requirements. These include:
- Accepting or denying your placement via the housing portal
- Signing your Housing Agreement
- Registering for move-in day
- Uploading your vaccination records
- Completing your housing payment via Colleague Self-Service.
How should I prepare before move-in?
Contact your new roommates! Reach out to them using the emails provided in your placement email or your housing portal. Get to know each other and coordinate what supplies (dishes, kitchen appliances, cleaning supplies, game consoles, decorations, etc.) you are going to bring with you or purchase on arrival.
Our recommended packing list includes:
- Seasonal clothing
- Technology, books, and other materials focused on your education
- Personal toiletries and medication
- IDs, copies of important records, and other important documents
- Kitchen and cleaning supplies
- Bedding for twin XL, bathroom linens
- Extension cord with breaker and surge protection
- Desk lamp and small fan
- Personal decor and items to make your space feel like home
Coordinate your move-in day plans with parents and guardians, or make arranges for transit.
Review our Housing Agreement and Residence Life Handbook as they contain helpful information about what is and is not allowed in the apartments.