Living at SCAD

SCAD Savannah housing for 2026–27 includes traditional and suite-style options such as The Hive, Turner House, Chatham, Montgomery House, River, and Sail and Surf at Victory Village, plus apartment-style choices including Barnard Village, Boundary Village, Sand at Victory Village and the new FORTY EIGHT community. Eligibility varies by residence and class standing: Chatham accommodates new and continuing students, while FORTY EIGHT is designed for upper-level students. The Hive has four-person suites with two shared bedrooms; Turner House offers double- and triple-occupancy studio rooms; Chatham has shared suites and double rooms. Compare the official floor plan, meal-plan category and transportation route for each building. SCAD's published 2026–27 housing prices range from $10,065 annually for a Turner triple to $18,849 for certain private apartments; these figures include the $750 housing application fee but not meals. Assignments depend on eligibility, application timing and space, so a preferred residence is not guaranteed.

SCAD's sophomore live-on requirement begins in 2026–27 for students who entered as first-time, full-time first-year students in fall 2025 (the class of 2029). SCAD defines a sophomore for this rule as a student in the second year after that entry, not simply anyone with a particular number of earned credits. Students who were already sophomores in 2025–26 were not covered by the new second-year rule. Incoming first-year students should also follow SCAD's applicable first-year residence policy. SCAD states that students living at home with local family may request an exemption from the sophomore rule; an exemption is a process, not automatic permission. Other individual circumstances should be discussed directly with SCADhome. Before signing a Savannah lease, obtain written confirmation of eligibility or an approved exemption, and check whether living off campus changes institutional scholarship amounts. SCADhome handles housing questions at 912-525-7000. Policy information reflects the 2026–27 cycle and should be checked for later entry years.

SCAD housing is part of an urban creative university whose teaching buildings are distributed across Savannah, rather than a single compact campus with every classroom beside a dormitory. Students may live in a residential community and travel to different academic buildings by walking or using SCAD transportation. Some halls emphasize shared suites or rooms, common areas and organized residential activities. The experience depends on the building, room configuration, resident assistants and roommate group—not simply the SCAD name. Review current floor plans and rules for guests, quiet hours, kitchens, laundry and permitted appliances. Ask current residents about ordinary routines: where they eat, how they reach early classes, and what happens when a project runs late. Those details often matter more than promotional photographs.

University housing can simplify the transition to college through organized assignments, resident staff, community activities and proximity to SCAD services. For students subject to a residence requirement, it is also a financial commitment that must be included in the first two years' plan. Once eligible for private housing, students may gain more choice over roommates, cooking and space, but take on leases, deposits, utilities, furniture, maintenance coordination and potentially a twelve-month obligation. A Savannah apartment's monthly rent is not directly comparable with a university housing rate for an academic period. Factor in meal plans, transportation and summer months. Students should also consider whether the structure of residence life supports their study habits before assuming that off-campus independence is automatically better.

SCAD's published 2026–27 Savannah housing prices vary sharply by building and room type. Turner House costs $3,105 per quarter for a triple ($10,065 for fall–spring including the $750 application fee) or $3,383 per quarter for a double ($10,899 annually). A four-person suite at The Hive costs $3,783 per quarter ($12,099 annually); Chatham's four-person suites are $3,783 or $3,917 per quarter depending on bathrooms. Private-bedroom apartments cost more: Barnard or Boundary Village is $4,250 per quarter ($13,500 annually), and some Sand at Victory Village units cost substantially more. These are housing charges, not housing-plus-food totals. SCAD requires a meal plan for university residents: 2026–27 traditional plans run from $1,950 to $2,250 per quarter, while eligible apartment residents can select less expensive apartment plans. Compare the room's actual annual price, required meal-plan eligibility, personal spending and scholarship terms; never compare a three-quarter SCAD bill with only nine months of private rent.

For an incoming fall 2026 student, SCAD's published process begins with enrollment and the $750 nonrefundable housing application fee. After payment, the student receives access to the 2026–27 housing application, generally within 48 hours. In MySCAD, navigate to the SCAD life page, the housing channel and 'Complete my housing application'; select a gender-housing option, answer the roommate questionnaire, review and sign the full-year Housing License Agreement, list building preferences and click Submit. SCAD listed May 1, 2026 as the incoming fall housing application deadline. The license agreement covers fall through spring, and cancellation can produce additional fees. Returning students use a separate process with their own deadlines and timed room selection. Keep payment and submission confirmations, monitor SCAD email for assignment instructions, and check the assigned hall's move-in guidance. The $750 application fee is included in SCAD's published annual housing totals, rather than added again on top.

Housing deadlines differ for incoming and continuing SCAD students. For fall 2026 incoming students, SCAD published May 1 as the enrollment and housing application fee deadline, with the application available after the fee is processed. Continuing students planning 2026–27 housing could pay the $750 fee starting Nov. 3, 2025 and submit the application starting Dec. 1, 2025; both were due Feb. 1, 2026. Their roommate-matching window and timed room selection followed in winter quarter. These dates describe a completed cycle, not guaranteed dates for fall 2027: families preparing for the next year should watch SCADhome and MySCAD for the new schedule, especially in late fall and early winter. Apply as soon as the appropriate window opens, but understand that meeting a deadline does not guarantee a specific building or roommate. Record the separate deadlines for application, fee, matching, selection and payment, and retain confirmations.

SCAD lets students express residence and roommate preferences, but the degree of control depends on whether they are incoming or continuing students. Incoming students complete a housing questionnaire and rank building preferences in the SCADhome application; preferences are not guarantees. For the 2026–27 continuing-student cycle, SCAD offered a roommate-matching portal in January and early February, followed by assigned times for students to select an available room online. The university specifically stated that same-room renewal was not available in that cycle. A roommate group must complete the required steps and find a configuration with sufficient available beds; selecting friends does not guarantee a particular suite. Compare residence eligibility, bedroom occupancy and price before forming a group. For a disability-related room need, work through SCAD's formal accommodation process rather than relying on a preference field. Save confirmation of each selection and monitor SCAD email for reassignment notices.

For the fall 2025 first-year cohort, SCAD's new sophomore live-on rule means families should budget for two consecutive years of university housing unless an exemption is approved. As a 2026–27 illustration, a four-person Hive suite is $12,099 for fall–spring including the $750 housing application fee; pairing it with the Weekly 14 meal plan ($6,675 annually) produces $18,774 in billed housing and dining. Turner House's triple-room housing is $10,065 annually; paired with the same meal plan, the total is $16,740. These are one-year examples at 2026–27 prices, not guaranteed two-year quotes: rates and room assignments may change in the second year. Compare roommate density, bathroom arrangements, access to studios and dining, and scholarship terms alongside cost. Do not assume a sophomore can rent privately merely because friends are doing so. Build a second-year scenario with an allowance for increases and a backup residence choice.

Families often focus on attractive room photos while overlooking the housing agreement, application deadlines and assignment uncertainty. Other mistakes include assuming that all freshmen can choose any hall, treating roommate requests as guarantees, and comparing a quarterly university charge with a twelve-month apartment lease. Students may also arrive with prohibited appliances, too much furniture or no plan for shared storage. Check current SCAD residence rules, move-in dates, meal-plan obligations, cancellation terms and transportation options. Budget for laundry, snacks, supplies and travel during breaks. If seeking an exemption from required housing, obtain approval before committing to private rent. A little preparation prevents expensive surprises and avoidable roommate stress.

The three residences differ in concrete ways. The Hive is a large SCAD residential community with suites containing two double-occupancy bedrooms, one bathroom and common space for four students; its published 2026–27 housing charge is $3,783 per quarter. Turner House uses simpler studio-style rooms: either three students sharing one room and bath ($3,105 per quarter) or two sharing one room and bath ($3,383). Chatham, at 609 Abercorn St. in the Victorian District, is a 14-story residence for new and continuing students with four-person suites containing two shared bedrooms and one or two bathrooms, plus some two-person studio rooms; its 2026–27 rates begin at $3,783 per quarter. Chatham has an on-site dining option and Bee Line access, but SCAD says residents cannot obtain SCAD parking permits there. All three require a traditional meal plan. Compare how many people share a sleeping room, bathroom and living space—not simply the residence's reputation—and confirm current eligibility before ranking preferences.

Students seeking frequent casual interaction may prefer a residence with active shared spaces, organized events and many other first-year students nearby. The Hive is often discussed in that context, but the atmosphere of any hall depends on the residents, floor and year. Tour or review the current common areas, dining access and activity programming, and ask residents where students naturally gather. Remember that a busy community can also mean noise and distractions during demanding studio weeks. Social opportunities are not confined to housing: SCAD classes, student organizations, collaborative productions and campus events create other ways to meet people. Choose a living environment that supports both connection and sleep, and understand that housing preferences may not be guaranteed.

Students who need quiet or personal space should look beyond the residence name to the exact room and suite layout. Ask how many students share a bedroom and bathroom, whether doors and common spaces offer separation, and what quiet-hour rules are enforced. A smaller or less socially intense arrangement may feel better, but no shared residence can guarantee silence. Discuss sleep schedules, guests and study habits with potential roommates before move-in. Identify libraries or other approved study spaces for times when the room is distracting. If a student has a disability-related housing need, contact SCAD's appropriate accessibility office about the formal accommodation process rather than relying on a general room preference. Build realistic expectations around assignment availability.

SCAD's 2026–27 floor plans show meaningful differences among first-year options. At The Hive, four residents share a suite with two double-occupancy bedrooms, one bathroom and a common living area. Turner House offers a single studio-style bedroom and bathroom shared by either two or three students; the triple is cheaper but has less personal space. Chatham offers four-person suites with two double-occupancy bedrooms and either one or two bathrooms, plus double-occupancy studio rooms with a bathroom. Chatham suites include common-space furnishings, and its rooms use extra-long twin beds. SCAD publishes floor plans and residence-specific amenity lists, which families should inspect for desks, wardrobes, laundry and permitted appliances. The difference between one bathroom for four students and two bathrooms for four can matter every morning. Ask where messy model-building or fabrication work is permitted; a residence room is not automatically a workshop.

SCAD Savannah is spread across the city, so a residence's address and shuttle connection can matter more than its appearance. Chatham is at 609 Abercorn St. in the Victorian District, convenient to academic buildings SCAD identifies as Deloitte Foundry, Haymans, Morris and Pepe halls; it has Bee Line service but no SCAD parking permits for residents. FORTY EIGHT, the upper-level community opening for fall 2026, is at 703 Louisville Road, with Bee Line service, an on-site dining option and proximity to the Hive area's dining and fitness resources. Victory Village residences are at 1 W. Victory Drive and offer a different starting point for trips to classes. Before ranking housing, list the exact buildings where the student's likely courses meet and test walking and Bee Line travel at class times. Also consider rain, heat, groceries, late studio work and whether the student will have a car.

Roommate matching and assignment procedures can change by academic year. SCAD may provide a way to request a known roommate or indicate preferences, but both students generally must follow the current application and matching instructions and meet eligibility requirements. A mutual request should not be treated as a guaranteed placement. If students do not select a roommate, the university can assign one according to its procedures and available space. Confirm the relevant deadlines, whether roommate groups are supported and how room changes are handled after assignment. Knowing someone from high school can be comforting, but compatibility around sleep, cleanliness and guests matters more than familiarity alone. Discuss those issues before making a request.

Have an explicit conversation before move-in about sleep times, alarms, lighting, cleanliness, food, shared storage and visitors. Discuss whether guests may stay late or overnight under SCAD's current housing rules, and how each roommate will ask for quiet during projects or exams. Decide which items are shared and which are private; borrowing a camera, laptop or art supplies should never be assumed. Talk about communication styles: some people prefer an immediate conversation, while others need a little time before discussing a problem. Establish a simple weekly check-in during the first month. A roommate agreement cannot override university rules, but it can prevent ordinary misunderstandings from turning into ongoing conflict.

Begin with specific, observable expectations rather than vague promises to be considerate. For example, agree on a quiet period for sleep, a schedule for cleaning shared bathroom surfaces, how guests will be announced, and whether headphones are expected after a certain hour. Clarify who may use shared food, chargers, tools or art materials. Put agreements in writing and revisit them after the first two weeks, when class schedules and habits become clearer. Respect SCAD's official guest, safety and residence policies even if everyone in the room prefers something else. If an agreement stops working, address it early with a calm conversation focused on behavior and impact, not personality. Shared living succeeds through adjustment, not mind-reading.

Start by identifying the behavior causing the problem: repeated late-night noise, unauthorized guests, missing belongings, cleanliness or disrespect. Raise it privately and concretely, explaining what change would help. If direct conversation feels unsafe or does not work, contact the resident assistant or appropriate Residence Life staff for guidance and mediation. Document recurring incidents factually, including dates, without escalating the dispute on social media. For harassment, threats or immediate safety concerns, use SCAD's applicable reporting and emergency channels rather than attempting informal mediation. Room changes may be possible but depend on policy and availability; ask about the process instead of assuming a transfer will happen immediately. Seeking help early is a responsible use of campus support.

Shared housing can teach students to negotiate differences in schedules, habits and expectations without family members solving every problem. A roommate may become a close friend, introduce new activities or provide everyday support during an intense quarter. Even when roommates are not friends, learning to communicate clearly, divide responsibilities and respect boundaries is valuable preparation for creative teams and professional life. Students should not feel obligated to socialize constantly or tolerate unsafe behavior in the name of independence. Build connections through classes and organizations as well as the residence hall, so the roommate relationship is not the sole source of belonging. The goal is a respectful, workable home base from which to study, create and grow.

SCAD's 2026–27 sophomore live-on requirement applies to the fall 2025 first-year entering cohort as they enter their second year. Continuing students have more than one housing type to consider, subject to the university's actual room-selection inventory and eligibility rules. Chatham explicitly houses continuing students as well as newcomers; SCAD also lists traditional or suite-style options such as Montgomery House, River and Sail and Surf at Victory Village. Apartment-style housing includes Barnard Village, Boundary Village and Sand at Victory Village. New for fall 2026, FORTY EIGHT at 703 Louisville Road adds about 800 upper-level beds in suites and apartments, including configurations with private bedrooms and kitchens. These are examples of SCAD's housing inventory, not a promise that every sophomore can select every building. Traditional halls require a traditional meal plan, while eligible apartment residents can choose among traditional and apartment plans. Check the live SCADhome selection inventory and the total housing-plus-meal cost before forming a roommate group.

Upperclassman or apartment-style SCAD residences may offer different bedroom configurations, shared living areas or kitchen facilities than traditional first-year rooms. Those features can provide greater independence, but students still live under university housing rules, assignment procedures and any applicable meal-plan conditions. The words 'apartment-style' do not guarantee a private bedroom, unrestricted kitchen use or the same amenities as a commercial apartment. Check SCAD's current floor plans, occupancy limits, furnishing lists and residence-specific policies. Compare how many people share bathrooms, how meals are handled and whether there is space to work on projects. For a student moving from a lively freshman community, the trade-off may be more privacy but fewer spontaneous social interactions. The best choice depends on habits and academic needs.

Returning SCAD students use a timed online selection process, not the incoming-student preference process. For 2026–27, SCAD allowed the $750 housing fee beginning Nov. 3, 2025 and opened applications Dec. 1; both steps were due Feb. 1, 2026. Students applied through MySCAD > SCAD life > SCADhome resources > SCADhome website > Apply for Housing, completed a roommate questionnaire, signed the full-year license and ranked residences. Roommate matching took place in January and early February, followed by assigned room-selection slots in February and March. SCAD said same-room renewal was unavailable, and students selected from the spaces visible at their assigned time. A group should compare suite capacity, individual bedroom preferences and price before selection; there is no guarantee the desired arrangement remains open. SCAD can reassign residents to manage capacity. These dates apply to the 2026–27 cycle; use the new calendar when registering for a later year.

SCAD's sophomore live-on requirement is specific: it first applies in 2026–27 to students who entered SCAD in fall 2025 as first-time, full-time first-year students. The university defines the affected sophomore as someone in their second year after that entry, so having enough credits to be called a junior academically is not necessarily an exemption. SCAD has described an exemption-request process for students living at home with local family; students with other circumstances should ask SCADhome what formal exceptions may be considered and obtain a written decision. Do not sign a private lease for sophomore year based on hearsay or an assumption about age or credits. SCADhome can be reached at 912-525-7000. Also ask financial aid to recalculate institutional scholarships before planning an off-campus move, because housing status may change the award. For later entering classes, confirm the applicable published policy.

Use real figures to understand the scale of two years of SCAD housing. In 2026–27, The Hive's four-person suite costs $12,099 for three quarters including the $750 application fee; the Weekly 14 dining plan costs $6,675, producing $18,774 for housing and meals in that academic year. Chatham's two-bedroom, two-bath four-person suite is $12,501 annually; with the same plan, $19,176. A Turner triple with Weekly 14 totals $16,740. If prices and room types stayed unchanged, two years at the Hive example would be $37,548—but that is only a planning illustration, not a quote, and each year's housing application fee is incorporated into its annual housing price. Add laundry, travel, supplies and personal spending; then account separately for tuition and scholarships. A second-year rate increase, different assignment or meal-plan selection changes the total. Compare costs only after confirming residency obligations and any scholarship reduction from moving off campus.

For the students who entered SCAD as first-time, full-time freshmen in fall 2025, the new live-on requirement covers their second year in 2026–27; absent an approved exemption, the normal private-rental transition would therefore follow completion of that required second year. SCAD says local-family residents can request an exemption, but the university must decide the request. Do not assume that accumulated transfer credits, an early academic classification change or a friend's off-campus lease overrides the policy. Ask SCADhome for written confirmation of your eligibility and the process for exceptional circumstances before paying a landlord. Also request a scholarship review: some institutional awards are reduced when a student lives off campus, which can erase an apparent rent saving. When eligible to move, compare the entire 12-month lease, deposits, utilities, groceries, parking and summer rent with the three-quarter SCAD housing and meal-plan charges. Recheck policies for later academic years.

Start with the student's actual class locations and transportation needs, not a neighborhood's reputation alone. Downtown and the Historic District can offer access to many SCAD buildings and Savannah amenities, but costs and parking may be higher. The Victorian District and nearby areas may appeal to students seeking older houses or shared rentals; options farther south or west can offer different prices and commutes. Neighborhood conditions can vary block by block. Check walking routes, Bee Line coverage, nighttime transportation, grocery access, parking rules and flood or storm considerations for each specific address. Visit in daylight and after dark when possible, and compare actual lease terms. A less expensive apartment is not a bargain if it creates daily rideshare costs or makes late studio work difficult.

Compare complete annual costs and daily routines. University housing may simplify utilities, furnishings, maintenance requests and residential support, while private rentals can offer greater control over roommates, cooking and space. Off-campus living also brings deposits, lease liability, utility accounts, furniture, repairs and possible twelve-month rent even when students leave for summer. Ask whether the student is eligible to move and whether scholarships or aid change with housing status. Then consider travel to major buildings, access to groceries, safety, noise and the student's ability to manage household responsibilities during demanding quarters. Some students benefit from the structure of SCAD housing beyond the required period; others are ready for an independent arrangement. Choose on total cost and fit, not the assumption that moving out is always cheaper.

Choose roommates by compatible living habits and financial reliability, not only friendship. Discuss sleep, study schedules, guests, cleaning, food, pets if permitted, temperature preferences and how conflicts will be handled. For a SCAD housing assignment, follow the current roommate-selection process and understand that a preferred pairing may not be guaranteed. For a private apartment, examine whether everyone is jointly responsible for the full rent or has an individual lease. Agree in advance on how utilities, deposits, damages and shared purchases will be divided. A friend who is fun at a party may be difficult to live with during final-project week. Put expectations in writing and identify a procedure for replacing a roommate if someone leaves early.

Begin saving before the move. Private rentals often require an application fee, security deposit, first month's rent, utility setup and furnishings before a student has fully moved in. Compare the lease's entire term with SCAD's academic calendar; a twelve-month obligation may include months spent elsewhere. Prepare a budget for groceries, utilities, internet, renters insurance, transportation and emergency repairs or travel. Learn basic household tasks: cooking, laundry, cleaning, reporting maintenance problems and keeping records of payments. Decide with roommates who will hold utility accounts and how bills will be split. Confirm eligibility to leave SCAD housing and understand any scholarship consequences before signing. A trial budget during sophomore year can show whether independent living is realistic.