Application and Selection Process
Incoming students are encouraged to apply for student housing as part of their admission process. Continuing students must apply for student housing each year. Consult deadlines for more details. If you have specific questions about student housing please contact Residence Life.
This quick guide answers frequently asked questions. For complete information about processes, policies, and procedures related to student housing, please consult the Student Housing webpages.
Do rates, deposits, and fees stay the same throughout my program?
Rates, deposits, and fees are subject to annual increases. New fees may be added
to address changed and new situations and needs.
Can I select my apartment?
Due to limited student housing availability and the goal of Residence Life to house
all students who apply, requests for a specific apartment or specific apartment features
cannot be accepted.
What if I live with a disability?
Residence Life will work to reasonably accommodate requests for apartment features
specified in a letter of accommodations from Disability Support Services (DSS). Please begin DSS registration as soon as possible to expedite the accommodations process.
Do I need a car?
Students have many options for getting around Berkeley and the Bay Area. PLTS is
centrally located in vibrant metropolitan Downtown Berkeley, a thirteen minute BART
ride to Downtown Oakland and thirty minute BART ride to downtown San Francisco. Most,
if not all, daily errands can be accomplished without a car. Ride share and car share
options can be utilized for travel to Ministry in Context sites in the wider Bay Area.
Most students will need a car while on internship. Internship sites provide housing for interns. Students on internship are not eligible to live in student housing.
Is there parking?
The Overture Apartments have limited parking for a monthly fee. A student interested
in being assigned onsite parking should apply for parking as part of their student
housing application. Assignment to onsite parking is not guaranteed due to the limited
number of spaces.
Is a family eligible for student housing?
Families are eligible for family student housing. Eligible family members include:
- A student's minor child(ren)
- A student's married spouse/registered domestic partner
Are pets allowed?
Student residents may have a maximum of one pet. Only common household pets are permitted.
A common household pet is defined as a domesticated dog, cat, fish or bird that is
traditionally kept in the home for pleasure rather than commercial or other purposes.
Fish aquariums of 25 gallons or less are exempt from the pet policy.
Can I stay in the same apartment throughout my program?
Residence Life attempts to assign students to the same apartment each year. This
attempt is dependent on availability. Being housed in the same apartment each year
cannot be guaranteed.
Can I store my furniture and belongings in my apartment while away over summer for
CPE?
Storing furniture and belongings in apartment units over summer is not available.
A number of nearby storage options are available. See Move Out pulldown for more information.
Can I extend into summer if I will be going out on internship the next academic year?
The granting of an extension into summer may be available depending on student housing
availability. If granted, extensions are to July 31.
Can I stay over summer if I am in CPE or otherwise in program and in Berkeley?
Staying over summer may be available depending on student housing availability.
In Program
To be eligible for subsidized student housing students must be accepted into a PLTS
certificate or degree program by May 15.
Students must be in a certificate or degree program and take a minimum of 6 credits each semester and 12 credits during the academic year. Students may request an exception to minimum credit eligibility for one semester due to academic or life reasons. Students who are granted an exception must early-register for the following semester to continue to qualify for subsidized housing.
Students are eligible for a maximum number of years based on their program:
Master of Divinity—4 years
Master of Arts—2 years
Certificate of Advanced Theological Studies—1 year
Certificate of Theological Studies—1 year
Adding a certificate to a degree will not increase the maximum number of years eligible.
Student housing is provided from move-in on August 29 to close of May Term on May 31. All student housing agreements expire on May 31, and all students must reapply for student housing each year. Being housed in the same apartment each year cannot be guaranteed.
Extensions and Stays Over Summer
Summer extensions and stays may be available depending on student housing availability.
An extension is residency in student housing past May 31 that is for part of summer but not for the duration of summer (June 1-August 28). Only students who are continuing in their program in-residence next academic year or who are going on internship next academic year are eligible for extension. Extensions are granted up to July 31. Students should work with Residence Life regarding their particular circumstances. The granting of an extension cannot be guaranteed. Application on time and regular communication with Residence Life are vital to working out extension possibilities.
A stay is residency in student housing past May 31 that is for the duration of summer (June 1-August 28). Only students who are continuing their program in-residence next academic year are eligible for staying over summer. Stay cannot be guaranteed.
Exceptions and Ineligibility
Subsidized student housing rates do not apply to exceptions made to the eligibility
rules above.
Students on internship are not eligible for student housing or for subsidized student housing rates.
Residence Life will work to reasonably accommodate requests for apartment features specified in a letter of accommodations from Disability Support Services (DSS).
Similarly, students will need to work with DSS regarding service animals, assistance animals, emotional support animals, and therapy animals that will be living in student housing.
Please begin DSS registration as soon as possible to expedite the accommodations process.
Requests for a specific apartment, specific apartment features, or specific parking space are not accepted. Being housed in the same apartment each year cannot be guaranteed.
Factors considered in assigning student housing include: Requiring accommodations (access for educational, medical, and ability reasons); having an allergy (to pets); having a spouse, partner, and/or dependents; completing housing application by deadline; honoring stated preferences; and considering other circumstances. These factors are prioritized in assigning student housing as follows:
- Access: Accommodations specified in a letter of accommodations.
- Pet Allergies: A student who notes allergies to pets on their application will not be placed in a shared living arrangement with another student who has a pet.
- Number of Persons in Residence: A student with a partner/spouse will have first priority for a one bedroom. A student
who has volunteered to share a one bedroom with another student resident will have
second priority for a one bedroom. A student with a dependent will have first priority
for a two bedroom. A student who has requested to share a two bedroom with another
student will have second priority for a two bedroom. Units will be assigned according to number of residents as follows:
Studio—Single student or couple
One bedroom—Couple
Two bedroom—Student with 1 or 2 children, two students sharing - Completed Application By Deadline: Continuing students with a completed student housing application by February 21 and incoming students with a completed application by April 15. For incoming students, applications submitted after the priority deadline will be considered up to May 15 in the order they were submitted without there being a guarantee of student housing. A completed student housing application includes either having up-to-date and on file or having paid the student housing deposit.
- Stated Preferences: Applicants are asked to rank student housing options in terms of preference. These are considered in making assignments. Student preferences will be taking into consideration. Fulfillment of preferences are not guaranteed due to limited availability of student housing options and compliance with DSS. Being housed in the same apartment each year cannot be guaranteed.
Other circumstances noted in the student housing application may be considered depending on the nature of these circumstances. If the circumstances are related to access in some way, the applicant must register with Disabilities Support Services and provide a letter of accommodations.
Factors considered in assigning parking spaces include: Requiring accommodations (access for educational, medical, and ability reasons). This factor is prioritized in assigning parking spaces for onsite parking as specified in a letter of accommodations. Students with dependents under the age of 18 will also receive priority for onsite parking. Other circumstances may be considered depending on the nature of these circumstances. Parking is otherwise randomly assigned.
Student residents may have a maximum of one pet. Only common household pets are permitted. A common household pet is defined as a domesticated dog, cat, fish or bird that is traditionally kept in the home for pleasure rather than commercial or other purposes. Fish aquariums of 25 gallons or less are exempt from the pet policy.
A pet agreement is required with the student housing application.
A $500 pet deposit must be paid and on file.
Move in is the weekend before Orientation activities begin.
Documents Needed
Prior to move in the student resident will need to have sent in all student housing
agreement documents:
- Student Housing Agreement
- Pet Agreement [if applicable]
- Contact Information Form
Student residents cannot move in without these documents being on file.
Scheduling Move In
Students will be scheduled a move in date and time block of 4 hours.
At move in, a representative will walk through the apartment with the student and go over the walk-through checklist. Students will receive keys, a fob, and contact information during the walk through. If the student has parking assigned, the student will receive the garage door opener or access card.
If you are traveling with a moving van or pod, these need to be placed outside the building during move in. Moving vans and pods will not fit through the garage gate.
An elevator is available for use during move in.
Utilities and Opening Accounts
Water, sewage, and trash are set up and provided by the university.
The student resident is responsible for setting up their own wifi. There are two wifi carriers that work within the apartments: Xfinity and Google Webpass.
The student resident will need to set up an account with PG&E for electricity.
Update Documents
Prior to move out the student resident will need to have sent in all student housing
agreement documents:
- Contact Information Form
Preparation and Cleaning
Preparing for move out includes:
- Emptying apartment of all belongings and furniture
- Cleaning apartment
- All cupboards and closets must be emptied and wiped down
- All surfaces must be wiped down and cleaned (stove, countertops, bathtubs, toilets, shelves,
inside of windows)
- All floors must be swept/mopped or vacuumed/shampooed. Please check with Residence Life about share shampooing dates.
- Refrigerator must be emptied and cleaned. Refrigerators can be moved, so clean behind refrigerator.
The apartment must be left clean and move in ready. Apartments left unclean will be assessed a cleaning fee of approximately $200-$300 out of student housing deposit to have the apartment cleaned by a professional service. This fee will be assessed against the student housing deposit and any remaining balance will be charged to the student’s account.
Donation and Disposal
Student residents are responsible for disposal of unwanted belongings and furniture.
Some donation and dumping sites include:
Any belongings or furniture left in the apartment or improperly disposed of in the building or on the curbside will be assessed a hauling-and-dump fee depending on the size of the item, the hire of personnel to remove the item, and landfill fees to dispose of the item. These charges will be assessed against the student housing deposit and any remaining balance will be charged to the student’s account.
Scheduling Move Out
Students will be scheduled a move out date and time block of 4 hours.
At move out, a representative will walk through the apartment with the student and go over the walk-through checklist. Student return keys, fob, garage door opener or access card to representative.
If you are traveling with a moving van or pod, these need to be placed outside the building during move in. Moving vans and pods will not fit through the garage gate.
An elevator is available for use during move out.
Changing Address and Closing Accounts
The student resident will need to close their account with PG&E for electricity.
Send in an change of address to USPS a few days before move out.
Storage
Storing furniture and belongs in apartment units over summer is not available. Students
who will be away for summer should plan to arrange for storage. A number of nearby
storage options are available: