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Eligibility and Conditions of Tenancy

The University of California, Berkeley, offers one Family Student Housing (FSH) option: University Village in Albany. University Village is an active, supportive community for students juggling family and educational responsibilities. A month-to-month rental agreement is required.

Student Applicants

  • Eligible applicants must be a full-time registered UC Berkeley undergraduate or graduate student, and: single and living with child(ren) under the age of 18 or dependent minor(s) for at least 50% of the year1
  • married or partnered and living with child(ren) or dependent minor(s) under the age of 18 for at least 50% of the year
  • single and under the age of 18, dependent, and living with parent or legal custodian
  • couples, married or in a domestic partnership, without children
  • single and living with a dependent over the age of 182

UC Berkeley Students enrolled in part time, weekend, or online professional degree programs are not eligible for Family Student housing.

Postdoctoral Fellow (PD) Applicants:

Eligible applicants must be Postdoctoral Fellows who have an appointment with UC Berkeley and the following:

  • single and living with child(ren) under the age of 18 or dependent minor(s) for at least 50% of the year 1
  • married or partnered and living with child(ren) or dependent minor(s) under the age of 18 for at least 50% of the year
  • couples, married or in a domestic partnership, without children

Important information for PD applicants:

  • PD are offered apartments only when there are no students on the wait list. Because student demand is typically high for West Village apartments, we expect that PD applicants will receive offers for East Village apartments only.
  • Due to high student demand during the beginning of semesters, i.e. May to September for Fall, and December to January for Spring, PD will not be accommodated during these critical periods. PD are further advised to find alternative housing for short terms. Note: Priority will be given to PD with more than 6 months remaining in their appointment. Please remember to submit an updated appointment letter if your appointment is extended.
  • PD Occupancy Limit – PD are allowed to stay in Family Student Housing until June 30th following their first year of occupancy, or until their appointment expires, whichever occurs first.

1 A single-parent or guardian must have custody at least 50% of the year. Proof of custody for biological parents includes a Custody Agreement. Proof of custody for non-parent guardianship would include a court-ordered legal guardianship for the minor child, statement from the biological parents as to how the guardian provides support, an affidavit or a notarized statement of legal guardianship, a Medical Power of attorney.

2 Dependent over 18 applies to a parent or child(ren) where the student provides a documented family need (e.g. financial, medical), not just a convenience.

Please Note:

  • If you are graduating in May, an ITV submission is required up to 30 days prior to your expected vacate date.  You are allowed to remain in residence up to June 30th.
  • An enrolled student who elects to take a leave of absence because of pregnancy, and/or disability can remain eligible and continue residing in Family Student Housing, subject to the payment of applicable fees and supporting documentation.

Due to high student demand for Family Student Housing, there have been recent updates in eligibility guidelines. New applications from the following categories are no longer eligible for housing at University Village, and your application will be cancelled without refund:

  • Visiting Scholars – effective October 1, 2014
  • Lawrence Berkeley National Lab affiliates – effective April 1, 2014
  • Staff – effective October 1, 2013
  • Single Graduate or Re-Entry student – effective September 1, 2016

The following guidelines will be observed before an apartment is assigned:

  • All family members must be in residence from the beginning of tenancy
  • At least one adult must be registered in a degree program at the University of California at Berkeley
  • Persons who have been evicted from Family Student Housing or have previously breached a University rental agreement will be considered ineligible for future tenancy
  • Must have more than 6 months or more in their program