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Newly Admitted Transfer Students

UC Berkeley Housing wants to offer a warm welcome and a digital introduction to your housing options.

Click links below to jump to location on page:

Transfer Housing Options
Housing Guarantee
Affordability & Campus Housing
How to Apply

Transfer Housing Options

As a transfer student, you can choose to live in any of our undergraduate housing options:

  • Eight apartment buildings, including our newest building, transfer-only Anchor House. Apartments offer independent living: they are fully furnished and include kitchens and conveniences like wifi, utilities and more.
  • Eight residence halls. Residence halls offer community, support and convenience.  Most rooms are triples with bunk beds, but a variety of options are available, including suites. A meal plan is included.
  • Family student housing. University Village Albany is an apartment community just for students with partners and families.

Transfer Hubs — NEW in 2025-26: Live alongside other transfer students on dedicated transfer floors (what we call Transfer Hubs) in Martinez Commons (residence hall rooms), Blackwell Hall, and Unit 3. Transfer hubs provide built-in support and connection with other transfer students

 

Build community at the the Transfer Student Centers!

Transfer Student Centers provide services to current UC Berkeley transfer students from other colleges and universities with navigating the academic and cultural landscape of one of the top research universities in the world. Programs and services focus on supporting a successful transition, fostering connections and a strong sense of community among transfers, and empowering students as they explore and pursue their academic and career goals. Learn more about their programs and services at transfers.berkeley.edu.

Housing Guarantee

For the 2025-26 academic year, incoming transfer students receive guaranteed housing for their first year, providing they meet all deadlines and eligibility conditions.  

Housing Guarantee Conditions

In order for the above housing guarantee to apply, you must:

  • Meet all UC Berkeley and UC Berkeley Housing deadlines.
  • Adhere to all Terms and Conditions of the housing contract and residential policies.
  • Have flexible housing preferences (choose “any room, any location” as one of your housing preferences). Housing Guarantee does not ensure any specific room type, location or amenity.
  • Apply for single undergraduate housing. Guarantee does not apply to family student housing. Incoming undergraduate students with dependents or domestic partners will receive housing priority in family student housing, University Village.  

Affordability & Campus Housing

We know that affording housing is a concern for many incoming transfer students to Berkeley. When considering the cost of housing, it’s important to know that campus housing rates include a wide range of amenities and other advantages:

  • Financial aid applicability: If you receive financial aid, it will be applied to your housing costs. Your award amount will be adjusted based on the type of housing you choose, whether you live on campus or off-campus, in a residence hall or apartment.
  • Utilities, wifi, on-site RAs and professional staff, security, maintenance, and more are included. In residence halls, your meal plan is included too!
  • Furnished including kitchen appliances; laundry access in unit or building
  • Academic year contracts (so you don’t have to take on a year-long lease, or sublet your room, if you’re away during the summer)
  • No security deposit for single undergraduate students ( $500 deposit required for family student housing)
  • No credit checks or need for cosigners
  • Convenience of billing through Cal Central
  • Independent contracts: You won’t be held responsible if a roommate or apartment-mate moves out or fails to pay their rent.
  • Convenient locations near campus (no need to pay for parking, and minimal commuting time) 

If you are concerned about housing insecurity, please check the housing information provided by the Basic Needs Center. To find out more about your financial aid, please visit the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office.

How to Apply 

Ready to apply? Here’s what to know.

  • Accept your offer of admission by June 1. You’ll be prompted to create a Berkeley campus identification (CalNet ID) which you’ll use to access the housing application portal.
  • Apply for campus housing by June 2 through the housing application portal. For a guide to the application, see: How to Apply: New Students.
  • By late June, campus housing offers for transfer students will begin to be sent out. You will have about five days to decide whether to accept your offer.
  • By mid- July, you’ll find out about your specific housing location and roommates.

 

Apply for Housing

Want to see more?

Got More Questions?

Visit the Transfer Student FAQs page.