SCAD Housing — Start Here

SCAD's Savannah residences are distributed across the city rather than gathered around one campus quad. Options include freshman-oriented residence halls and continuing-student suites or apartments. Students comparing housing should investigate The Hive, Turner House and Chatham for the freshman experience, then Barnard Village, Boundary Village, Montgomery House, Victory Village and other eligible residences for later years. Apartment-style does not necessarily mean privately leased: a university apartment remains subject to SCAD housing policies and billing. Room configurations vary from shared bedrooms to apartments with private bedrooms and kitchens. Start with SCADhome's current residence directory, then compare actual eligibility, room type, location, quarterly price and required meal plan. A building's appearance in the directory does not guarantee a room will be offered to a particular student. Because academic buildings are scattered through Savannah, the best residence depends as much on daily transportation as on amenities.

SCADhome determines residence eligibility according to campus, enrollment status, year of entry, housing requirements and available inventory. First-time freshmen are generally directed toward freshman housing; continuing students may select from a different set of residences, including apartment-style options. SCAD's second-year residency requirement applies to the cohort that entered as first-time, full-time freshmen in fall 2025 and subsequent covered cohorts, unless an exemption is approved. Do not assume that AP or dual-enrollment credits change a student's housing classification, or that transfer and graduate students follow identical rules. Eligibility for a particular building can also change by year. Before paying a fee or signing an outside lease, ask SCADhome to confirm your individual classification, whether university housing is mandatory and which buildings you can actually request. The answer for a friend's enrollment history may not be the answer for yours.

For students who entered SCAD as first-time, full-time freshmen beginning in fall 2025, SCAD extended its university residency requirement through the second year, subject to approved exemptions. That means a covered student should plan financially for two years of university housing rather than assume that sophomore year can be spent in a privately leased Savannah apartment. The policy is tied to the student's entry cohort and status, not simply the number of academic credits shown on a transcript. Transfer students and students with unusual enrollment histories should request an individualized determination from SCADhome. Second-year housing can be more independent than freshman housing: Barnard Village and Boundary Village, for example, have apartment-style configurations with private bedrooms and kitchens. However, a kitchen does not automatically eliminate SCAD meal-plan requirements. Obtain confirmation of your residency obligation and exemption status before making an off-campus commitment that could create overlapping housing costs.

A first-year housing classification is not always the same as a student's academic class standing. Someone entering SCAD with AP, dual-enrollment or other accepted credits may still be a first-time freshman for housing purposes. SCAD's second-year residency policy specifically identifies students entering as first-time, full-time freshmen beginning in fall 2025, making entry history particularly important. Transfers, returning students and students who change enrollment status can face different rules. When completing the housing application, use the classification SCADhome assigns rather than estimating from credit totals. If you believe your situation is unusual, provide the admissions and housing offices with the relevant dates and enrollment history and ask for written confirmation. This matters because a mistaken assumption about eligibility can affect whether you may rent privately, which residence options appear in your portal and whether a housing cancellation is permitted.

SCAD offers a housing-exemption process, but eligibility and required documentation must be confirmed for the student's actual entry cohort and circumstances. Published guidance addresses students who plan to live locally with family; other circumstances, including disability-related needs, may require individualized review. A disability accommodation within university housing is not necessarily an exemption from the residency requirement. Students should contact SCADhome about the correct application route and deadlines, and consult the Office of Disability Resources when an accommodation is involved. Incoming-student guidance has pointed to a housing exemption request in MySCAD under SCAD life and My housing, but returning students should verify the current procedure. Never sign a Savannah lease on the assumption that an exemption will be granted. Request written approval first, then clarify whether any housing application fees, contracts or meal-plan charges remain payable.

Graduate-student housing eligibility depends on the current SCAD Savannah inventory and rules for the particular residence; do not assume that all undergraduate halls accept graduate students. Some university housing options may accommodate graduate or other continuing students, but room availability and eligibility can change by academic year. A graduate student should ask SCADhome which residences are open to their program and enrollment status, whether spaces are guaranteed or limited, and whether a meal plan is required. Compare the total quarterly cost with privately leased housing near the academic facilities used by the graduate program. A studio-intensive graduate student may value proximity to late-evening workspaces more than a residence's social amenities. If considering an off-campus lease, check move-in timing against SCAD's academic calendar, and budget for deposits, utilities and transportation. Verify university housing eligibility before paying an application or reservation charge.

A traditional residence hall generally emphasizes bedrooms or suites, shared amenities and a more communal daily routine. Apartment-style SCAD housing offers a layout closer to independent living, often including a living area and kitchen, though the exact facilities depend on the residence. For example, Barnard Village and Boundary Village offer four-bedroom apartments with private bedrooms, two bathrooms and full kitchens; other SCAD residences use shared-bedroom suites or different apartment configurations. Apartment-style does not mean an ordinary private rental: SCADhome still controls assignment, policies, maintenance procedures and the university housing agreement. Students should compare how many people share each bedroom and bathroom, whether they can cook, what furniture is supplied and which meal plan is required. A private bedroom may improve sleep and concentration, but kitchen and shared-living responsibilities can add time to a demanding ten-week quarter.

SCAD Savannah is an urban university, with residences and academic facilities occupying multiple neighborhoods rather than one fenced campus. A student may live near the historic district, in the Victorian District or farther south and travel to classes elsewhere in the city. Chatham, Montgomery House, the Victory Village residences and the Barnard and Boundary apartment communities illustrate how varied those locations can be. SCAD's Bee Line transportation network helps connect residences with academic buildings, but route frequency and operating hours should be checked for the student's actual schedule. Before choosing housing, mark likely class buildings on the official SCAD map and compare realistic walking and transit journeys. A residence close to friends may be less convenient for a student repeatedly transporting large projects or equipment to a specialized studio. Savannah geography is part of the housing decision, not an afterthought.

SCAD Savannah does not function like a conventional university whose dorms, dining halls and classrooms surround one central lawn. Its academic buildings occupy adapted structures and purpose-built facilities across the city, so housing choices affect transportation, daily routines and the amount of time between classes. A photography student working at Alexander Hall on Indian Street may have different travel needs from an animation or visual-effects student using Montgomery Hall. A student without a car can still navigate SCAD through walking and Bee Line services, but should investigate actual routes, hours and weekend service rather than assuming a shuttle runs whenever needed. Students also encounter Savannah's streets, weather and neighborhood conditions as part of daily campus life. Compare housing by a typical Tuesday—not merely by its floor plan: breakfast, first class, studio work, dinner, groceries and the trip home after dark.

Begin with three maps: SCAD's official Savannah facilities map, the current residence directory and the Bee Line route information. Identify the buildings your major is most likely to use, recognizing that first-year foundation classes may be elsewhere. Then test each residence against walking distance, shuttle connections, dining locations, grocery access and how you would travel after an evening studio session. For example, Montgomery Hall is a major destination for animation and visual-effects work, while Alexander Hall on Indian Street is associated with photography. Do not assume that a short straight-line distance means an easy journey with equipment in Savannah heat or heavy rain. Ask whether the housing option requires a shared bedroom, offers a kitchen or changes meal-plan costs. Students choosing sophomore housing should revisit the calculation after their first quarter because actual class locations and personal habits become much clearer.

Housing applications follow SCADhome's published calendar, and the schedule differs between incoming students and continuing students. Incoming students should look for the housing steps in their admitted-student portal after completing the required enrollment actions; continuing students use a separate annual registration and selection process. For context, SCAD opened continuing-student applications for 2026–27 housing on December 1, 2025, but that date must not be assumed for future cycles. If you are an incoming freshman, ask when your application becomes available and when preferences or assignments are considered. If you are returning, watch university email and SCADhome notices well before winter quarter. Put each deadline in a shared family calendar, including fee payment, roommate matching, accommodation requests and room selection. Submitting an application and actually receiving or selecting a room are distinct steps.

Before submitting a SCAD housing application, confirm that your admissions or continuing-student account is active and that you have completed whatever enrollment, deposit and housing steps the current portal requires. The precise sequence can differ for new freshmen, transfers, graduate students and returning students. Have your SCAD login, payment method, emergency-contact information and any requested housing preferences ready. If you want a particular roommate, ask whether both students must complete applications and how the matching system works. Students requesting disability-related housing accommodations should contact the Office of Disability Resources promptly rather than assume a room-preference form is sufficient. Read the housing agreement before payment, especially its duration and cancellation provisions. If the portal shows an unexpected classification or blocks an option you expected, contact SCADhome instead of creating a workaround or paying twice.

SCAD housing can involve a separate application or reservation payment, but the amount, deadline and treatment of that payment depend on the current academic-year instructions. Do not use an old screenshot or another student's fee as your budget figure. Incoming and continuing students may follow different procedures; for example, SCAD's 2026–27 continuing-student process had its own housing application and fee deadline. Before paying, open the current SCADhome instructions and record the exact amount, whether the charge is credited toward housing, the accepted payment method and whether an exemption request changes the requirement. The much larger financial commitment is the quarterly room charge plus any required meal plan, not merely the initial fee. If a family is uncertain whether a student must live on campus, obtain the residency determination before committing money to an outside lease.

Do not assume that a SCAD housing application or reservation payment is refundable. Refundability depends on the specific charge, the housing agreement, the date of cancellation and any published exceptions for that academic year. Ask SCADhome to identify the current policy in writing before paying, particularly if you are still deciding whether to enroll, requesting a housing exemption or comparing Savannah apartments. Keep a copy of the policy and payment confirmation. Distinguish the application fee from room charges already billed and from a required meal plan; different cancellation rules may apply. If your circumstances change, contact SCADhome immediately and request written confirmation of the effective cancellation date and any amount still owed. A verbal understanding with a roommate, admissions representative or private landlord does not alter the university's housing contract.

Paying a housing fee should not be treated as a guarantee of your preferred building, room type, roommate group or even a particular assignment without reviewing SCAD's actual terms. Housing inventory is finite, eligibility varies by student classification and incoming-student preferences differ from the continuing-student room-selection process. A student hoping for a private bedroom may find only shared-bedroom options available at the time of selection. Before paying, ask SCADhome what the fee secures, whether housing itself is guaranteed for your category and what happens if your preferences cannot be met. Have an acceptable second and third choice based on cost, location and privacy. For covered first- and second-year students, a disappointing assignment does not automatically remove the residency requirement. Keep the fee receipt, application status and any assignment notices together so the family can resolve discrepancies quickly.

Once you are confident you will attend SCAD, begin the housing process promptly rather than waiting for the summer. The exact application opening and assignment rules should come from SCADhome's current incoming-student instructions, not a generalized claim that 'earlier always wins.' Starting early leaves time to understand residence choices, arrange disability-related accommodations, discuss roommate preferences and compare required meal-plan costs. It also gives families time to clarify whether the first- or second-year residency requirement applies. Make a short decision sheet listing acceptable room configurations, total quarterly cost and how each residence connects to likely class buildings. Submit all required forms and payments before the stated deadlines and monitor SCAD email afterward. Early preparation is valuable even when assignment order is not strictly first-come, first-served; it prevents a missed document or payment from narrowing your options.

Applying earlier can protect your options when SCAD's current process uses application timing, deadlines or assigned selection windows, but it does not guarantee a particular residence. Continuing-student selection has involved designated windows and available inventory, while incoming students generally submit preferences and receive assignments. Those are different systems. For the 2026–27 continuing-student cycle, applications opened December 1, 2025; students planning a later year should verify that year's actual schedule. Ask SCADhome which factors influence priority for your cohort rather than assuming that paying first ensures a private room or a chosen roommate. The practical strategy is to apply as soon as you are eligible and prepared, complete all steps correctly, and identify several suitable options. A timely application matters most when it is accompanied by realistic preferences and attention to follow-up messages.

Incoming SCAD students generally provide housing information and preferences before receiving an assignment; continuing students participate in a separate registration and room-selection process. The date of an assignment or selection window varies by academic year and student classification. Do not confuse the date applications open with the date a student learns where they will live. Continuing students should also understand that selecting a room may require a designated group leader and completed roommate matching. For a new freshman, the useful questions are when preferences close, when assignments are released and when roommate information becomes visible. For a returning student, ask when the selection window is assigned and what happens if you miss it. Monitor MySCAD and university email, save each confirmation and avoid purchasing room-specific furniture until the actual configuration is known.

Create a housing calendar with separate entries for enrollment actions, the housing application, required payment, accommodation requests, roommate matching, room selection or assignment, cancellation deadlines and move-in. Incoming and continuing students have different schedules. SCAD's 2026–27 continuing-student application opened December 1, 2025, but those dates are historical examples, not a substitute for the current year's announcements. Families should also track financial-aid and payment deadlines because a housing choice can change the total cost of attendance. Add reminders before each deadline rather than on the day itself, and note which office handles questions. For a student subject to the second-year residency requirement, start thinking about sophomore housing during freshman fall quarter; waiting until spring may be too late for important registration steps. Save the relevant SCADhome instructions as a dated record because policies and rates can change.

Before committing thousands of dollars, ask SCADhome to confirm in writing your residency requirement, housing eligibility, room assignment or selection status, the agreement's duration and the rules for cancellation or exemption. Request the published room rate for the specific residence and configuration, plus any mandatory meal plan and other charges. Ask whether a fee is refundable, what happens if you withdraw or take a quarter off, and whether a housing change affects scholarships or financial aid; Student Financial Services should confirm the financial-aid side. If you need an accommodation, obtain the decision through the appropriate university process rather than relying on an informal promise. Save screenshots or PDFs of the policy and date them. A family's comparison with a Savannah private apartment should include deposits, utilities, transportation and the possibility of overlapping obligations. The most useful document is not a promotional floor plan but the actual terms that govern the student's costs and choices.

SCAD Savannah housing prices depend on the academic year, residence and room configuration. For a useful 2026–27 comparison, SCAD's published continuing-student rates list Montgomery House shared-bedroom suites at $3,634 per quarter, Barnard Village and Boundary Village four-bedroom apartments with private bedrooms at $4,250, and Sand at Victory Village four-bedroom apartments at $4,417. Those are historical reference points for planning, not guaranteed prices for a later year or proof that a particular room is available. Freshman residence prices and other configurations must be checked separately. Multiply the applicable quarterly charge by the number of quarters you expect to occupy housing, then add the required meal plan, personal supplies and transportation. Ask SCADhome for the current rate chart and billing agreement before making a commitment. Compare the exact room configuration, not just the residence name: a private bedroom and a shared bedroom in the same broader housing system can have materially different costs.

SCAD residence rates reflect differences in room privacy, the number of occupants, apartment amenities, location and the particular building. A four-bedroom apartment with a private bedroom and full kitchen provides a different experience from a suite where two students share a sleeping area. For 2026–27, SCAD listed Montgomery House shared-bedroom suites at $3,634 per quarter and Barnard or Boundary private-bedroom apartments at $4,250—a $616 quarterly difference before meal-plan charges. That does not automatically make the more expensive choice better. A student who needs quiet for sleep or intensive studio work may benefit from a private bedroom; another may prefer the lower cost and social atmosphere of a shared suite. Examine bathrooms, kitchens, travel time and the required dining arrangement before comparing prices. Rates and configurations change, so confirm current figures and room eligibility with SCADhome rather than assuming the building's name tells the whole story.

SCAD uses an academic quarter system, and its residence price lists commonly state housing charges per quarter. Students should not confuse that billing unit with the duration of their housing commitment: an agreement may create obligations across an academic year even though charges appear on quarterly student accounts. Ask SCADhome which quarters your agreement covers, when each charge becomes due and what happens if you withdraw, take leave or move out early. Also check how winter break, summer housing and meal-plan billing are handled; a standard academic-year residence assignment does not automatically provide summer occupancy. To build a family budget, calculate fall, winter and spring charges separately, then add mandatory dining and other expenses. Student Financial Services can explain the payment schedule and how aid is applied. The important distinction is between when a bill arrives and how long a signed agreement remains binding.

SCAD university housing generally bundles basic residential services rather than requiring students to open individual electricity, water and trash accounts as they would in a privately rented Savannah apartment. However, exactly what is included, whether any limits apply and whether an apartment-style unit has special terms should be checked in the current residence description and housing agreement. Ask specifically about electricity, water, heating and cooling, trash service and maintenance. Do not infer that everything is included merely because the room is furnished. In a private apartment, utilities can become a significant additional expense, especially during Savannah's hot, humid months when air-conditioning demand rises. For a fair comparison, use the full SCAD quarterly room charge and any mandatory meal plan on one side, and rent plus utilities, deposits and transport on the other. Obtain the current terms from SCADhome before treating a service as guaranteed.

Internet access is an important part of SCAD housing because students routinely upload large design files, attend online meetings, use cloud collaboration tools and submit projects electronically. SCAD residences provide university-managed connectivity, but students should confirm the current Wi-Fi arrangements, device-registration procedures and any restrictions before moving in. Ask whether wired connections are available in the assigned room and how gaming consoles, printers or specialized devices are supported. Do not assume that a residence network is suitable for every high-bandwidth workflow: video editing, rendering and large file transfers may be better handled through departmental labs or approved campus facilities. Students should maintain reliable backups and avoid making their entire workflow depend on one device or connection. If internet reliability is essential for an accommodation or specialized course, discuss the actual requirement with SCADhome and campus technology support before choosing housing.

SCAD residence rooms and apartments are generally furnished, but 'furnished' does not mean they contain every item a student needs. Typical university housing provides essential bedroom furniture, while apartment-style configurations may include shared living and dining furniture; the exact inventory varies by building and room type. Review the current SCADhome room description and move-in packing instructions before purchasing anything large. Ask about bed dimensions, desk space, permitted appliances, storage and whether students may move or remove university furniture. A student in a shared bedroom needs a different packing plan from one in a Barnard Village or Boundary Village private bedroom. Avoid buying a desk, mattress or sofa until the assignment and floor plan are confirmed. Budget instead for bedding, lighting permitted by policy, organizers and the supplies your particular creative major requires. Coordinate shared kitchen purchases with roommates to avoid four duplicate sets of equipment.

SCAD residences provide access to laundry facilities, but their location, equipment, payment arrangements and availability can differ. Before moving in, check whether laundry machines are in the building, in a shared complex or elsewhere, and whether each wash and dry cycle has a charge. Do not assume the laundry cost is included in the published room rate without checking the current SCADhome information. The practical issue is not only price but time: during a ten-week quarter, a student may be balancing laundry with studio deadlines, classes and a Bee Line trip across Savannah. Ask whether laundry access is restricted by building hours and whether an app or payment card is needed. Bring a portable hamper, coordinate laundry etiquette with roommates and learn how to report a broken machine. When comparing a private apartment, include laundry access and any laundromat trips in the real monthly cost.

SCAD meal-plan requirements depend on student classification and residence type, and families should not assume that a full kitchen means a student may opt out. SCAD's published 2026–27 continuing-student housing arrangements required meal plans even for university apartment-style residences, so students considering Barnard Village, Boundary Village or similar options should confirm the current rule before budgeting for groceries. Freshman requirements and available dining-plan choices may differ. Ask SCADhome or SCAD dining which plans are permitted for your assigned residence, their quarterly prices, how dining dollars or meal swipes work and whether unused balances carry forward. A student planning to cook frequently should compare the minimum required meal-plan cost plus groceries against the convenience of dining locations near classes. Treat the dining plan as part of the housing decision, not a separate optional lifestyle expense.

The published room rate is only the beginning of a realistic SCAD housing budget. Add any required meal plan, application or reservation charges, laundry costs where applicable, bedding and room supplies, personal groceries, transportation beyond university services and course-specific materials. A photography or film student may need equipment-related storage and supplies; a fashion or architecture student may need room for bulky project materials, though safety rules may limit what can be stored or used in residence. Families should also budget for travel home, moving supplies, possible storage between housing terms and occasional unexpected expenses. Ask whether parking has a separate permit or cost, whether housing-related fees are refundable and what a cancellation would trigger. Compare costs over the whole academic year, not a single quarter. A seemingly cheaper shared room can still carry a substantial mandatory dining charge, while a more expensive apartment may make cooking easier without removing the meal-plan obligation.

To compare SCAD housing with a private Savannah rental, calculate both choices over the same time period and include all unavoidable expenses. For university housing, use the actual quarterly room rate, required meal plan and any fees. For an off-campus apartment, include the student's share of rent, security deposit, application fees, electricity, water, internet, renter's insurance if required, furniture, laundry, transportation and the cost of summer or other months when a twelve-month lease continues. A private apartment near SCAD buildings may look cheaper per month but cost more if the student must pay during quarters away. Roommates can lower rent while adding shared liability and conflict risk. Most importantly, covered first- and second-year students may be required to remain in SCAD housing unless an exemption is approved; a cheaper private lease does not cancel that obligation. Ask Student Financial Services whether moving off campus changes aid or cost-of-attendance calculations before signing.