Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs about Grad Apartment Housing
FAQs about Grad Dorm Housing
Are the bedrooms furnished? What are the window sizes? What kind of floors do the rooms have?
The graduate dormitory bedrooms are furnished with an extra-long (80 inch) twin size bed frame and mattress, desk and desk chair, dresser and wardrobe unit – if other built in closets and dressers are not available. Most rooms also come with bookshelves and a sitting chair.
Graduate Housing is currently at the beginning of a furniture replacement cycle so the quality and style of furniture in the various rooms on campus is NOT standard from room to room and often does not match. We appreciate your understanding as we continue to purchase and install furniture to make every room equitable.
Windows in the buildings are of various sizes and shapes. All buildings (except HGS) have window treatments (vertical blinds, venetian blinds, or window shades) that allow for privacy and the limitation of light in the room. HGS, because of the varied window styles and sizes, as well as the concrete and stone window frames, do not have standard window treatments. Students are encouraged to purchase a spring loaded tension rod to hold sheers or curtains.
Flooring is different in each building.
- ES Harkness Hall – all rooms have tile floors.
- HGS – all rooms have hardwood floors.
- 254 Prospect St. – all rooms have carpeted floors.
- 276 Prospect St. – most rooms have carpeted floors. A few random rooms have tile/wood floors.
- HHH – Mixed: each floor has various rooms with carpet or tile.
How can I cancel my housing contract? What are the fees or penalties?
Students can apply to cancel their housing contract by contacting the Graduate Housing Office at grad.dorms@yale.edu. If a new student is found to replace the vacancy, you will be released from your housing contract.
Students who cancel their housing contracts before moving into their housing assignment, forfeit their full security deposit. Students who cancel and vacate their room during the academic year will be subject to a $250 cancellation fee (as well as full rent liability until a replacement resident is found.)
Can I arrive early and move into my room? How early can I arrive?
Students can apply for early arrival (before the official start of their academic year contract) by submitting an email to grad.dorms@yale.edu before July 24th. If there is an academic need for your early arrival AND if space is available, the GHO will contact you with an agreed upon arrival date. There is an additional rent that will be charged to students’ SFAS (financial accounts) at Yale for each week of their early arrival.
I’m arriving late at night (after 11PM). Is there someone around to help me check-in?
The Graduate Housing Office does not operate on a 24-hour schedule. We understand, due to internal flights from around the world, that arrival to Yale does not always fit neatly into our business day hours. If you are arriving to New Haven after 11PM, you are best served to stay at a hotel (at the airport or in New Haven) until you can meet the Grad Housing Office staff or Check-in staff during advertised hours.
In exceptional circumstances, the GHO staff may be able to help you. If you feel you need an exception, please contact the GHO at grad.dorms@yale.edu to see if arrangements can be made for your late night arrival.
What is my Mailing address? Where can packages be sent and received? Can I send some of my belongings to Yale prior to my arrival?
Mail is delivered to our residence halls through the US Postal Service. Packages are delivered by several delivery services (FedEx, DHL, UPS, etc.) Mail and packages should be addressed as noted below.
| ES Harkness Hall Your Name 367 Cedar Street Box # (Room Number) New Haven, CT 06510 |
Helen Hadley Hall Your Name 420 Temple St Box # (Room Number) New Haven, CT 06511 |
| 276 Prospect Street Your Name 276 Prospect St Box # (Room Number) New Haven, CT 06511 |
254 Prospect Street Your Name 254 Prospect St Box # (Room Number) New Haven, CT 06511 |
- But I live in HGS - where do I send my mail?
- Students in HGS DO NOT receive mail in the residence hall. Students must either rent a United States Post Office Box from the Yale Station Post Office on Elm Street (approximately a 5 minute walk from HGS) or they may obtain permission from their academic department to use their student academic mailbox for all external mail and packages.
- Alternative shipping for HGS students: Students can also send packages to the Graduate Housing Office. When received, we will notify you that your package has arrived and can be claimed. The Grad Housing Office is approximately a 5-7 minute walk from HGS. Please address packages:
Graduate Housing Office
420 Temple St
Your Name
HGS Room ----
New Haven, CT 06511
You may send a few belongings to Yale no sooner than one week before your scheduled arrival date. All packages must include your Name and Room Number. Packages will be stored at your own risk.
Is there parking at my Residence?
The dormitories do not have specific close parking locations for discretionary student use. There is metered “street” parking around all buildings but students are subject to the parking rules, fines and enforcement by the City of New Haven.
Yale Parking and Transit can assist any student find parking in an authorized Yale Lot or parking garage (for a semester or academic year fee).
Students living at 254 and 276 Prospect St have Lot #20 adjacent to their buildings. If applying for parking, please note your confirmed assignment at one of these addresses, and if spots are available, you may be assigned to this lot.
Can I have a pet?
Sorry, pets are not allowed in the dormitories, only FISH in a 10 Gallon tank (or smaller) are approved for Yale dormitory living.
Do I have to have a board plan? Which buildings require a meal plan?
Students who live in HGS and ES Harkness Hall are automatically enrolled in a meal plan (by Dining Services) that corresponds to the Dining Hall in their residence building. There is no exception to this requirement. Please visit the Dining Services web page to learn more about the meal plan prices and services.
Students living at HHH, 254 and 276 Prospect Sts, do NOT have to have a meal plan but can choose to sign up for a plan if they choose.
Do I have a Roommate? Can I have a roommate?
All graduate dormitory bedrooms are Single occupancy. Some rooms in HGS (Suites or 2-bedroom living room units) have other people who live in the unit and share common spaces (living rooms or bathrooms, for example) but they will also have their own private bedroom.
Graduate housing is currently designated as single occupancy bedrooms so even if you wanted, we do not allow you to share your bedroom with another person.
What is the Security Deposit and how does it work?
The dormitory “security deposit” is $500.00 US dollars ($470 security deposit and $30 application fee).
The security deposit is due at the time a student accepts their housing offer, in order to secure the room for their arrival. The security deposit payment is NON-Refundable if you do NOT move into your housing assignment.
Security deposits must be paid as secured funds – either money order, cashiers’ check, travelers’ checks, or credit card (MasterCard or Visa) and can be paid directly to the Graduate Housing Office.
The security deposit stays “on file” with the University for as long as a student lives with us. When you vacate your room for the final time, the deposit will be returned to your SFAS account (Student Financial Admin Services account) within 4 weeks of your departure.
Last Updated: April 21, 2009 (jp).
