Housing Guidelines & Amenities

Dining Dollars Contract Information

Dining dollars are similar to a debit account in that a dollar amount is added to your HofstraCard/HofPass account at the starting point and then charges are subtracted based on individual items purchased at the on-campus dining facilities. Your student account will be billed automatically in the spring semester for the same dining dollars contract selected in the fall semester. Unused fall semester dollars are carried over to the spring semester only if a dining dollars contract of equal or higher value is purchased for the spring semester. Unused spring semester dollars are not carried over to the summer/ fall semester. All unused dollars are forfeited and nonrefundable as of the day following spring undergraduate commencement. Visit hofstra.edu/diningforms for contract details and information on how to purchase dining dollars through the Hofstra portal.  

2026-2027 Dining Dollars Contracts*  

Contract   Dollars Description  

7 $3,370 Suggested daily usage: $30 

6 $3,175 Suggested daily usage: $28  

5 $2,925 Suggested daily usage: $26  

4 $2,500 Suggested daily usage: $22  

3 $2,290 Suggested daily usage: $20  

2 $1,915 Suggested daily usage: $17  

1 $650 For nonresidential students only  

All first-year and sophomore residential students are required to purchase one of the following dining dollars contracts:  

Contract Dollars Description  

7 $3,370 Suggested daily usage: $30  

6 $3,175 Suggested daily usage: $28  

5 $2,925 Suggested daily usage: $26  

*Dining dollars contracts are subject to change.  

Residential Students: It is a condition of residency that all undergraduate students living on campus select a dining dollars contract. First-year residential students (those with fewer than 30 credits) and sophomore residential students (those with fewer than 60 credits) must select Contract 5, 6, or 7 for the fall and spring semesters. Undergraduate residential students with 60 credits or more may select from Contracts 2-7 for the fall and spring semesters.  

Commuting Students: Contract 1 is available only to nonresidential students. If you purchase this dining dollars contract and then become a residential student, your contract will be upgraded automatically to a residential dining dollars contract based on class standing, and you will be responsible for the corresponding price increase. Commuting students are not required to purchase a dining dollars contract.  

• Dining dollars contracts begin on the Sunday prior to the first day of undergraduate classes. Be sure to come to campus with sufficient funds until your dining dollars contract begins.  

• First-year and sophomore residential students who do not sign up for a dining dollars contract will automatically be assigned to Contract 5, and any other undergraduate residential student will be assigned to Contract 2.  

• Insufficient funds or lack of activity in using your dining dollars shall not exempt you from the financial obligations of your contract.  

• Fall dining dollars may be used during the January Session.  

• Fall dining dollars contracts automatically roll to the spring term.  

• Dining dollars contracts cannot be shared or transferred.  

• Designated dining locations may be closed during holidays or when classes are not in session.  

Please remember that your dining dollars are not transferable. 

Changing Your Dining Dollars Contract  

You may change your dining dollars contract by logging in to the Hofstra portal at my.hofstra.edu and accessing the Dining Dollars Contract Change form. Any refunded amount, if applicable, will be credited to your student account. The dining dollars contract you choose for the fall semester will be automatically billed to your student account for the spring semester in late fall. Students are held accountable for the dining dollars contract they select online by the use of their electronic signature. Kindly review the terms of the dining dollars contract for deadlines associated with changing your contract plan. If you have any questions about changing your dining dollars contract, you may contact the Office of Residence Life at reslife@hofstra.edu.  

Fall semester dollars may be used from Sunday, August 23, 2026, through Sunday, January 17, 2027. If you do not purchase a dining dollars contract of equal or higher value for the spring semester, you shall forfeit any unused dollars as of January 17, 2027. The deadline for dining changes and cancellations for the fall 2026 semester is Tuesday, September 15, 2026. No changes or cancellations will be accepted after this date, regardless of dining dollar usage.  

Spring semester dollars may be used from Monday, January 18, 2027, through Sunday, May 16, 2027 (spring commencement). The deadline for dining changes and cancellations for the spring 2027 semester is Monday, February 8, 2027. No changes or cancellations will be accepted after this date, regardless of dining dollar usage.  

Dining Dollars Reduction Request  

Students with allergies or dietary restrictions must meet with the on-campus nutritionist, who can assist in identifying appropriate dining locations on campus to purchase meals. A student with a disability related to dietary restrictions may request a reasonable accommodation for dietary modification through Student Access Services by submitting a Request for Reasonable Accommodations Form with the appropriate supporting documentation. The Request Form and Guidelines for Documentation can be found at hofstra.edu/sas. Students looking for a reduced dining dollars contract outside of a medical reason must  complete the Request for Reduced Dining Dollars Contract and submit it to the Office of Residence Life at reslife@hofstra.edu. The Request for Reduced Dining Dollars Contract can be found at hofstra.edu/diningforms. 

Hofstra University Bookstore

In addition to books and other course materials, the Hofstra University Bookstore (a service of Barnes & Noble College) stocks all your residence hall needs: dorm room essentials, health and beauty products, electronics, school supplies, etc. If you have any questions, please call 516-463-6847. 

Housing Deposit

All residential students pay a housing deposit when they apply to live on campus for the first time. Once a student occupies a residential space, the housing deposit is held in an account by the University for the entire time the student maintains housing on campus. The $300 housing deposit is refunded to the student after their on-campus residency ends, provided at the time of checkout, there has been no damage to the room or common areas AND there are no outstanding balances on the student’s account. During the semester, if there has been damage to the room or common areas, charges applied for lost or broken keys, or health and safety violations assessed, the student is responsible for paying those fees in order to maintain a $300 housing deposit.  

Please note: Prior to the start of room selection (approximately at the end of February), if an outstanding balance exists on the student’s account, the student’s housing deposit will be applied toward their outstanding balance. 

Insuring Your Belongings

It is imperative that students safeguard their belongings. We encourage all students to have adequate insurance, either through a homeowner policy or by securing renters insurance. Many homeowner policies allow for a rider for renters insurance. Please discuss this matter with your insurance agent prior to your arrival at Hofstra. 

Students can also protect their property from theft, fire, smoke, water damage and more with Renters Insurance from GradGuard with coverage for your belongings including electronics with features custom-made for college. To sign up visit www.gradguard.com/renters/hofstra to get started. The University does not reimburse students for lost or damaged items. 

Intersession Housing

The residence halls at Hofstra University remain open during the January intersession period between the fall and spring semesters. This option is offered to all students without charge, provided that the residential student is registered for housing during the upcoming spring semester. Students are surveyed in October regarding their intentions for spring housing. If your plans regarding spring occupancy change, you must notify the Office of Residence Life as soon as possible. Students who do not intend to return to Hofstra for the spring semester must vacate their rooms at the end of the fall semester. Students who reside in the residence halls during the intersession and subsequently decide not to live on campus for the spring semester will be charged a daily rate for the number of days they remain in University housing and a $1,500 cancellation fee if they remain registered students at the University. If you cancel housing after Saturday, December 19, 2026, and remain a registered student at the University, you will be held responsible for the costs associated with that room, until you officially check out of your room with a staff member. Checking out requires returning the keys and officially processing your Electronic Room Condition Report (ERCR) with a staff member.  

Laundry

The residence halls are equipped with laundry facilities, including high-efficiency (he) washing machines. Through the CSCPay mobile app, the washers and dryers can send residents notifications when their wash cycle is complete or when other machines become available. 

Linens

 The beds at Hofstra University are twin extra-long (Twin XL) in size. You may purchase your dorm room essentials such as towels, organizers and storage items at the Hofstra Bookstore online (https://hofstra.bncollege.comhttps://hofstra.bncollege.com) or in-store. 

Mail and Package Delivery

All FedEx, DHL, or UPS deliveries or packages that require a signature must be picked up with the student’s Hofstra ID (HofstraCard or HofPass) at the Student Post Office on the lower level of the Hofstra University Bookstore in the Mack Student Center, North Campus. Inquiries can be sent to hofstrapostoffice@hofstra.edu. If a package requiring a signature is delivered on a Saturday, please check with Public Safety for your package. To pick up a package at Public Safety, the student must present their Hofstra ID.  

All outgoing packages are shipped through the United States Postal Service, and cash is the only accepted form of payment. Please note: At this time, the Hofstra Bookstore cannot ship packages outside of the United States. Additionally, the Student Post Office is not able to accept outgoing UPS or FedEx packages. Questions should be directed by email to hofstrapostoffice@hofstra.edu.  

Packages delivered to the residence halls are distributed by resident assistants. For accurate delivery, mail should be addressed as follows: 

Student Name (as it appears on Hofstra ID) 
Alliance Hall, Room #  
300 Hofstra University 
Hempstead, NY 11549-3000  

Student Name (as it appears on Hofstra ID) 
Bill of Rights Hall, Room #  
310 Hofstra University 
Hempstead, NY 11549-3100  

Student Name (as it appears on Hofstra ID) 
Colonial Square East, House Name, Room #  
380 Hofstra University 
Hempstead, NY 11549-3800 
(House Names: Cambridge, Hampton, Hempstead, New York, Norwich, Providence, Quincy)  

Student Name (as it appears on Hofstra ID) 
Colonial Square West, House Name, Room #  
385 Hofstra University 
Hempstead, NY 11549-3850 
(House Names: Dover, Jamestown, Newport, Portsmouth, Plymouth, Salem, Williamsburg)  

Student Name (as it appears on Hofstra ID) 
Constitution Hall, Room #  
320 Hofstra University 
Hempstead, NY 11549-3200  

Student Name (as it appears on Hofstra ID) 
Enterprise Hall, Room #  
340 Hofstra University 
Hempstead, NY 11549-3400  

Student Name (as it appears on Hofstra ID) 
Estabrook Hall, Room #  
330 Hofstra University 
Hempstead, NY 11549-3300  

Student Name (as it appears on Hofstra ID) 
Graduate Residence Hall, Room #  
400 Hofstra University 
Hempstead, NY 11549-4000  

Student Name (as it appears on Hofstra ID) 
Nassau Hall, Room #  
390 Hofstra University 
Hempstead, NY 11549-3900  

Student Name (as it appears on Hofstra ID) 
Netherlands North, House Name, Room #  
360 Hofstra University 
Hempstead, NY 11549-3600 
(House Names: Delft, Groningen, Hague, Leiden, Rotterdam, Tilburg)  

Student Name (as it appears on Hofstra ID)
Netherlands South, House Name, Room #  
365 Hofstra University 
Hempstead, NY 11549-3650 
(House Names: Amsterdam, Breukelen, Orange, Rensselaer, Utrecht)  

Student Name (as it appears on Hofstra ID) 
Stuyvesant Hall, Room #  
370 Hofstra University 
Hempstead, NY 11549-3700  

Student Name (as it appears on Hofstra ID) 
Suffolk Hall, Room #  
395 Hofstra University 
Hempstead, NY 11549-3950  

Student Name (as it appears on Hofstra ID) 
Vander Poel Hall, Room #  
350 Hofstra University 
Hempstead, NY 11549-3500 

Mail Forwarding/Change of Address  

Effective the day after spring undergraduate commencement, mail and packages addressed to any residence hall except for the summer residence hall will be returned to sender by the U.S. Postal Service. ONLY FIRST-CLASS MAIL will be forwarded to a student’s address on record. As third-class and bulk rate mail is not forwarded, the Office of Residence Life strongly urges you to contact companies with which you have monthly subscriptions to give them your summer address.  

Summer residents must use the address for the summer residence hall to avoid mail disruption. Any student not residing on campus over the summer should update their mailing address in late April by following the instructions at hofstra.edu/reslifeaddresses.  

Amazon Locker  

Amazon Locker is a self-service kiosk offered by Amazon. Amazon customers can select Hofstra’s on-campus Locker location, “Cria,” as their delivery address and retrieve their orders at that location by entering a unique pickup code on the Locker touch screen. The Amazon Locker is located on the lower level of the Mack Student Center, in the hallway between the Pride Den and the Game Room. To access Hofstra’s Locker and set up this location as your preferred Locker, visit amazon.com/ulp/view.  

*During peak times, the Locker may be unavailable due to capacity. The Locker will appear grayed-out during checkout; this means the Locker has no available slots to receive your package. Manually adding the Locker as the shipping address will not equate to a Locker delivery. Please only choose a Locker as the shipping address from your address book.  

Please refer questions or concerns related to the Locker to the phone number listed on the Locker. 

On-Campus Housing Eligibility

Students who enter the University and reside on campus are eligible to continue to reside on campus for a maximum of eight (8) continuous semesters. 

Refrigerator/Freezer/Microwave Rental

The Office of Residence Life uses Campus Specialties Inc. (CSI) as our exclusive provider for refrigerator/freezer/microwave (MicroFridge) rental units. For more information about renting a MicroFridge, visit mymicrofridge.com. 

Students may bring their own refrigerator/freezer unit that is 5 cubic feet or smaller for use in their residence hall room*.

Microwave/refrigerator combination units may not be brought from home or purchased from other retailers. For safety reasons, the only microwave/refrigerator combination permitted in the residence halls are those rented through Campus Specialties Inc. (CSI).

All refrigerators and combination units must be plugged directly into a wall outlet.

For high-rise single, double and quad rooms, one refrigerator is allowed per room

For suite styles, two refrigerators are permitted for the entire suite (i.e., one in each suite room)**.  

*Personal microwaves and refrigerators, including the refrigerator/freezer/microwave multi-units rented through the University-sanctioned vendor, are prohibited in the Graduate Residence Hall rooms and suites. 

**Suites with three single rooms are allowed to have one microfridge or personal mini fridge in each room. 

Residence Hall Opening and Closing

The residence halls open the weekend before classes begin and close at noon on the day following the last scheduled final exam. Students who have not paid their fall bill in full by the end of the fall semester must check out of their rooms by Saturday, December 19, 2026. Graduating students have until noon on Sunday, December 20, 2026, to check out of the residence halls. At the end of the spring semester, all students are expected to move out 24 HOURS after their last final exam. The last move-out date for non-graduating students is Saturday, May 15, 2027.  

During the summer sessions, certain residence halls remain open. Students may not leave their belongings in their room or any other area of the residence hall. Students who disregard this policy will be subject to additional charges, disposal of belongings, and/or Community Standards sanctions. Specifics regarding the dates of opening and closing of the residence halls are included in your assignment packet, posted on the Office of Residence Life website and in each building, and placed in mailboxes. Please read these notices. Each Hofstra student is responsible for checking in and out according to the specified procedures, especially if a student vacates prior to official checkout periods. 

Check-in/Check-out  

Residents are responsible for following all check-in and check-out procedures. All check-out materials will be provided prior to December closing (fall semester) and May closing (spring semester). Residents must be aware of appropriate dates and times, as extensions may not be granted.  

Check-out Procedures  

When you are preparing to check out, please ensure that you follow all the proper procedures:  

• Remove all personal belongings from the room. (The University assumes no responsibility for lost, damaged, or discarded items.)  

• Remove all garbage. 

• Restore your room to its original condition.  

• Secure all windows by closing them to alleviate any issues caused by unpredictable weather. 

• Have a resident assistant (RA) check your room in your presence to note any damages or repair needs on the Room Condition Report (RCR).  

• If applicable, remove all items from your microfridge rental unit, unplug from the wall outlet, and leave the doors open. 

• Check your mailbox and retrieve all mail and or packages. 

• Return your key and receive a key receipt.  

*Failure to abide by these policies and procedures may result in the application of appropriate fines and fees to the student’s account.  

Midyear Check-in  

If you need to check in to your housing assignment on any day during the academic year that is not an advertised check-in day, visit the Resident Assistant Office of your residence hall any day between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.  

Midyear Check-out  

If you need to check out of your housing assignment during the academic year, visit the Resident Assistant Office of your residence hall between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. The student is responsible for completing all check-out requirements.  

Per the Residential Living Agreement, the housing agreement is a one-year contractual agreement, and failure to remain in housing for the full academic year without prior written approval for cancellation will result in a $1,500 cancellation fee. Please note: Depending on the checkout date, students may be eligible for a refund of some housing costs. Refer to the Housing Refund Schedule on page 20.  

May Closing (end of spring semester)  

At the end of the spring semester in May, all residential students must check out of their current housing assignments within 24 hours of their last final exam or by 9 p.m. on the Saturday before Commencement. Students who remain in the residence halls past this timeframe will be charged for a late check-out and any other applicable fines. Students looking to remain on campus beyond the checkout timeframe noted above must submit a Summer Housing Application. The Summer Housing Application can be accessed at my.hofstra.edu.  

Early Arrival Fee  

The Office of Residence Life accepts Early Arrival Request applications for students wishing to move into to their fall residential housing assignment prior to their designated move-in date. Interested students should complete the Early Arrival Request Form, which can be found on the “Housing” icon in their My Apps section of their Hofstra Portal. Students then select “Housing Forms” and click “Continue” to complete the form. Students granted an early arrival will be assessed a nonrefundable fee of $65 for every night they stay on campus prior to their regularly scheduled move-in date. Please note: Students who arrive before their scheduled move-in date will be assessed this fee even if an Early Arrival Request application was not submitted. Submission does not guarantee that your request will be granted. Students will receive an update on their request to their Pride email account within seven (7) business days. The early arrival fee will appear on the student’s account in September (after move-in). 

Room Changes

Room changes are made pursuant to the Hofstra University Nondiscrimination Policy. Prior to seeking a room change, you should meet with your resident assistant (RA)/resident director (RD), who may be able to assist with a roommate and/or suitemate difficulty. Any conflict you may have with a roommate and/or suitemate can usually be resolved through open, honest communication. Resident directors are available weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and by appointment.  

Process for Room Changes  

Room changes generally begin after the second week of each academic semester or as soon as our fall and spring occupancy have been confirmed.  

Single Rooms  

Single rooms are highly sought after; any student looking to change to a single room will need to complete a Room Change Request Form online. Single room changes are conducted on a first-come, first-served basis once a single room becomes available. All single room change requests carry over from the fall semester to the spring semester. Once the Room Change Request Form is submitted, an automated email confirmation will be sent to the student’s Hofstra Pride email. If the Office of Residence Life can fulfill a room change request, the student will be contacted when a new assignment becomes available. 

Summer Request for Fall Semester Room Changes  

During the summer, a student can submit a room change request for the upcoming fall semester by submitting a Room Change Request Form online. Once the form is completed, a confirmation email will be sent to the student’s Hofstra Pride email. Students will be contacted when a new assignment is available.  

Fall and Spring Semester Room Changes  

During the fall and spring semesters, students can request a room change (if needed) by submitting a Room Change Request Form online. Room changes are ongoing at the discretion of the Office of Residence Life up until the week prior to Thanksgiving (fall semester), after which only emergency room changes will be permitted. Once the Room Change Request Form is submitted, an automated email confirmation will be sent to the student’s Hofstra Pride email. If the Office of Residence Life can fulfill a room change request, the student will be contacted when a new assignment becomes available.  

If you change rooms without written approval from the Office of Residence Life, you risk both a fine and disciplinary action. It is imperative that the Office of Residence Life be aware of your room assignment at all times. You are responsible to inquire as to the difference in room rates when switching rooms, and any additional costs will be noted on your Room Change Request Form. Students accepting the room change are responsible for the difference in costs. If you are moving to a more expensive room, you will be billed automatically for the higher room rate and must settle any balance with Student Financial Services. Students have 48 hours from the effective date of the room change to completely move out of their current room assignment, check out with the resident assistant (RA) on duty, and check in to their new room.  

How to Submit a Room Change Request  

1. Log in to the Hofstra portal at my.hofstra.edu.  

2. Go to My Apps in the top right corner.  

3. Click on the Room Change icon.  

4. Complete the Room Change Request Form and click on Submit. 

Room Selection

Current residents returning for the next academic year are given the privilege of participating in advance room sign-up. Detailed information regarding the room selection process can be found on the Office of Residence Life website at hofstra.edu/reslife and is also sent to students’ Hofstra Pride email accounts during the spring semester. Any returning student who wishes to participate in the room selection process for the following semester must be currently registered and in good financial standing with the University. Additionally, any residential student who decides to leave the residence halls prior to the start of the selection process may lose housing priority status for future semesters.  

Students studying abroad during the spring semester who intend to live on campus for the next academic year can select a room during the General Room Selection Process during their designated time frame. The General Room Selection Process is prioritized by class year. 

Students who cannot participate in room selection because they are living off campus during the spring semester due to student teaching or participating in internships can be pulled into a multiple-occupancy room by a current spring residential student during the room selection process. 

Summer Housing

Students interested in summer housing will have the ability to apply online beginning in April. All rules and procedures remain the same during Summer Sessions, except that all living areas are coed. Move-in and move-out dates will be published on the Office of Residence Life website (hofstra.edu/reslife). There is an additional cost for summer housing.