Sponsored Student Handbook

Housing

Whether you choose on- or off-campus housing, familiarize yourself with your housing’s check-in process and contact information. If you have any questions about the check-in policy, contact your housing manager directly.

It is important to know the earliest date/time that you can check-in to your permanent housing. If you arrive before you can check-in to your permanent housing, you must arrange temporary housing in advance. Refer to our temporary housing page and the Off-Campus Student Services website for lists of options.

On-campus housing

If you have any questions or encounter any issues with on-campus housing, contact MU Residential Life at housing@missouri.edu.

Graduate student apartments

Many international graduate students live in an on-campus apartment. Learn more about these apartments and find the application link on the graduate and family housing page. On-campus graduate student housing may be fully reserved six months prior to the start of the new semester, so you should apply as early as possible.

Make sure you know whether your apartment will be furnished or if you will be required to purchase your own furniture.

Undergraduate student housing

Explore the undergraduate student housing options on the Residential Life website. You should also review these Residential Life resources for additional information:

Follow the instructions in the housing process guide to apply. Once your housing has been assigned, you will sign up for a specific move-in date and time. If you arrive before your assigned date/time, you will need to arrange temporary housing until your check-in appointment.

Off-campus housing

You should search for housing about three months prior to your arrival date as some accommodations fill quickly.

MU has a designated office to assist students with off-campus housing. You can explore off-campus housing options available in Columbia through the listings search portal. This tool allows you to filter your search to specific parameters that are best suited to your housing preferences.

Before you sign a lease, know your rights and responsibilities as a renter. You should also review these leasing fundamentals and contact Off-Campus Student Services at offcampus@missouri.edu with any questions about off-campus housing.

Public transportation in Columbia is limited. Do not assume that an off-campus housing location is within walking distance of a bus stop. Taxis and services like Uber tend to be expensive and are not feasible solutions for daily transportation to campus.

Note that we cannot guarantee flexible leasing options for off-campus housing, nor do we have the authority to mitigate conflicts related to off-campus housing. Be aware that you are responsible for verifying the terms and conditions of your lease as well as the services guaranteed by your off-campus housing provide before you sign the lease. Once you sign the lease, it may be difficult or costly to break. If you are considering off-campus housing, review the Off-Campus Student Services renter education modules.

Moving resources

Resources for furniture:

If you will be moving to new housing this semester and are looking for help: