Housing Selection Process
Living
ON CAMPUS .
CAMPUS IS MORE THAN JUST A PLACE TO LIVE AND LEARN — it’s your home base for fun, friendship, and personal growth From welcoming spaces to vibrant connections and meals that satisfy, there’s room for you to thrive at every step of your college journey . thrive at every step of your college journey
RESIDENCE HALLS AND ROOM TYPES
Rider students are welcomed and encouraged to live on campus all four years Our residence halls offer a variety of styles and amenities including:
» Traditional halls: Rooms off a shared hallway with communal, gendered bathrooms on each floor
» Suite-style halls: Includes an entryway, private bathrooms, and separate bedrooms
» Apartment-style halls: Includes common spaces, in-unit bathrooms, and kitchens .
Returning students may choose from apartments and suites , doubles as singles , singles and standard double units
Specialty Housing
Rider University offers a range of specialty housing options designed to enhance the campus experience and support student success
Returning students with new accommodation requests and students approved with permanent medical conditions must all apply for Housing for Students with a Disability in addition to applying for Accommodation Housing through the SASS Office These requests are due by February 1, 2026
Returning students will select their housing for Housing Accommodations the week of February 9, 2026
» Accommodations for Students with Disabilities: Students can request housing accommodations once they have been approved by the Office of Student Accessibility and Support Services (SASS) To be considered for these accommodations, complete the “Housing for Students with Disabilities Request” on the Housing Portal . Medical documentation must be submitted to SASS; do not share medical information with Residence Life
» Gender Inclusive Housing (GIH) : Students may opt to select roommates and housing assignments based on personal comfort and compatibility, rather than gender identity Complete the GIH application on the Housing Portal Approved students will receive email confirmations to proceed with room selection . You can request a specific roommate or be paired randomly with another GIH participant Returning students will select their housing for GIH the week of February 9, 2026
» Living Learning Communities (LLCs) : Returning students will be eligible to select accommodations in LLC Programs in addition to first-year students . It’s important that these communities include a mix of new and returning students so they can support one another Returning students will choose their LLC housing during the week of February 9, 2026
» Student Athletic Housing: Coordinated through Rider Athletics administration . Student-athletes should ensure their housing preferences are communicated to their respective coaches and administrators Additionally they should apply for housing and submit a housing deposit . Student-athletes will select their housing on Athletic Housing Day on February 5, 2026
Greek houses
Greek Housing and Room Selection
Five residence halls are designated for Rider’s fraternity and sorority organizations
The Greek Housing selection process is conducted in person Organizations must submit a list of members and their housing assignments in alignment with the Returning Student Housing Process
Monday, February 2, 2026 is the deadline for Greek Room Selection To prepare, fraternity and sorority members are encouraged to:
» Discuss and finalize roommate options
» Request preferred housing
» Consider renters insurance
» Select a meal plan
(4 sorority houses at Alpha Xi Delta, Delta Phi Epsilon, Phi Sigma Sigma, and Zeta Tau Alpha; Fraternities at Sigma Pi Epsilon and Theta Chi in Poyda)
Returning Students Housing Process
Students can apply for housing, engage in roommate matching and select roommates, request specific housing options, consider renters insurance, and select a meal plan using the online portal View detailed information at rider .edu/returning-student-housing-process
Stage 1: Submit the Housing Deposit
RETURNING AND GRADUATE STUDENTS :
» Deposit Deadline: February 1, 2026
» Deposit Amount: $200 (non-refundable) Full scholarship student-athletes are required to pay a special deposit. Please confirm details with Admissions and Athletics.
» First-come, first-served assignment: The earlier a student submits their deposit, the better the chances of being assigned a preferred room type or location We strongly encourage you to submit your housing deposit before February 1 deadline
» Payment: Log into the myRider portal . Navigate to the Payment section and follow the on-screen instructions For more information, visit rider . edu/deposits
» Deposit Deferral: Students with financial aid covering direct expenses may apply for partial deferral through the Office of Financial Aid Deposit refunds are not available
The Bursar’s Office manages the deposit collection process For questions about payment methods, contact the Bursar’s Office directly
For questions about financing housing, tuition, or meal plans, please contact the Office of Financial Aid
F ebruary 1
Housing deposit deadline
Housing will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis Make sure to submit your deposit early!
RESOURCES TO HELP YOU PLAN AND PREPARE FOR SUCCESS:
Bursar’s Office
Cashier’s Office
Bart Luedeke Center, 1st floor cashiers@rider edu
609-896-5390
RIDER.EDU/BURSAR
Financial Aid
Bart Luedeke Center, 1st floor finaid@rider edu 609-896-5360
RIDER.EDU/FINANCIAL-AID
Student Accessibility and Support Services (SASS)
Bart Luedeke Center, Suite 201 accessibility@rider edu
609-895-5492
RIDER.EDU/SASS
Stage 2: Complete the Housing Application
MARK YOUR CALENDAR: Starting at 10 a m ET on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, all students can begin the housing application process
STEPS TO APPLY FOR HOUSING:
» Log into MyRider and navigate to the Housing Portal
» Review and agree to the Housing License Terms and Conditions .
» Consider opting into Grad Guard Renters Insurance
» Create a roommate matching profile (students can form roommate groups and engage in roommate matching later in the process)
» Review and confirm emergency contact information
» Students will need to review the Alcohol Policy and agree to the “Cali Pledge ”
Stage 3: Select your Housing and Meal Plan
Online housing selection opens the week of February 16, 2026
Students need to form groups for the number of beds in a unit If students aren’t assigned their first choice of room type, they may need to reform their roommate groups based on availability .
Returning residential students must participate in a meal plan if their unit does not have a kitchen in their room . View meal plan options on the Rider Dining website
Important dates and deadlines:
December 16
» Housing Application Opens
February 1
» Housing Deposit and Housing Application Deadline
February 2
» Specialty Housing Application deadline
February 5
» Athletic Housing Day
February 6
» Greek Room Selection
Week of February 9
» Housing Accommodations for new requests and for students with permanent approval
» Gender Inclusive Housing Selection
» LLC Program Room Selection
February 16
» Housing Selection begins for all groups and unit types with a timeslot
NEED HELP?
For assistance, contact Residence Life by email at reslife@rider edu or phone at 609-896-5057
We’re here to make your transition to campus housing as easy as possible!
CONTRACT
TERMINATION
POLICIES
:
Housing contracts are issued for a full academic year When you sign your agreement to live in Campus Housing, you are committing to the terms of that agreement, including length of agreement and room rate When you move out early, you are breaking the terms of the agreement
If you are considering canceling your housing agreement, please review the following information before making a final decision
CANCELLATION REQUESTS :
Students wishing to cancel housing who have made a housing deposit but have not started the online housing application must complete the Contract Termination form via the Housing Portal
CANCELLATION FEES :
» Students who have received a housing assignment; who request release from housing between the beginning of Room Selection and May 31 will be assessed a $200 Housing Cancellation fee
» Students who have received a housing assignment; who request release from housing on or after June 1st for the Fall semester and November 15th for the Spring semester will be assessed a $700 Housing Cancellation fee
» Students who have received a housing assignment; who request release from housing on or after July 1st for the Fall semester and December 15th for the Spring semester will be assessed a $950 Housing Cancellation fee
RIDER.EDU/HOUSING TAKE THE next step.