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All full-time registered Harvard graduate students are eligible to apply for a room in the GSAS Residence Halls. Most of the 411 rooms are assigned to first-year degree candidates in GSAS who are guaranteed an offer of housing in the GSAS Residence Halls, if all application requirements are met by the priority deadline of May 1. Students in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, the Kennedy School of Government, the Graduate School of Design, and the Graduate School of Education are given higher priority than students in other professional and graduate schools at Harvard University.

Couples and Families

Rooms in the GSAS Residence Halls are designed for single-resident use only and cannot accommodate students with children. Married couples are eligible for housing only if both individuals are full-time, registered Harvard graduate students.

Incoming GSAS Students

Incoming GSAS students who submit their online application and return ALL supporting materials to GSAS Housing Services by May 1, 2009 are GUARANTEED a room. All materials must be received by GSAS Housing Services by the May 1st deadline to guarantee a spot in the residence halls. Faxed and emailed housing contracts are not accepted.

Continuing GSAS Students

All continuing, full-time registered GSAS students are eligible and encouraged to apply to live in the Residence Halls. In past years, approximately 10 - 20% of rooms have been offered to continuing students  during the initial process.  Additional room offers were sent to continuing students in later rounds of housing as well.

Students in the HKS, GSE, and GSD

Some rooms are available for students in the Kennedy School of Government (KSG), Graduate School of Education (GSE), and the Graduate School of Design (GSD). Unfortunately, there are not enough rooms available to accommodate all who apply. Each of the three schools conducts their own lotteries for housing, and, each sends their results to GSAS Housing Services.  Students are encouraged to stay on the waiting lists as room assignments are often cancelled and reassigned throughout the summer. Students should speak with the housing contact in their school to discuss eligibility.

GSAS Special Students/Visiting Fellows

Some rooms are set aside for incoming Special Students and Visiting Fellows. While Special Students and Visiting Fellows should apply directly to GSAS Housing Services, the Special Students Office conducts the lottery for these individuals. All inquiries regarding the lottery or your eligibility should be directed to the Special Students Office (617-495-5392, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ).

Any student who was a GSAS Special Student or Visiting Fellow during the 2008-2009 academic year and who has been admitted to a degree program for the 2009-10 academic year is included in the lottery for continuing GSAS students. Students continuing to enroll as GSAS Special Students or Visiting Fellows are included in the lottery for Special Students.

Late Admissions

Students who are admitted to a degree program after the May 1 deadline for housing are encouraged to apply for housing in the GSAS Residence Halls. In past years, a number of incoming degree candidates who have been admitted late have been assigned a room.  Please note, however, that there is no guarantee after the May 1 deadline that a room will be assigned, including for those with special needs.

Deferred Admissions

Students who are deferring admission until Spring 2010 should submit an application for housing along with a written note explaining the situation. Students who are deferring admission until Fall 2010 should visit the GSAS Housing Services Web site in Spring 2010 and complete a new housing application for the 2010-11 academic year.