Housing and Residential Life

How do I submit my application?
Once you have been accepted to JCU, you can complete a Housing application by logging into your account on the Student Portal.

I have been accepted to JCU, but I am unable to click on the Housing section. Is my application missing something?
All students must upload a personal photo before they are able to access the Housing application. If you are a citizen of the United States, you will also need to insert your social security number before continuing to the Housing section. If you have completed these steps and are still unable to access the Housing area of the portal, please contact [email protected]

Why do I need to upload a photo on the application portal?
The photo that you upload to your portal account will be used for your JCU student ID card. Acceptable photos include headshots, preferably with a white or neutral background. Selfies and photos with other individuals will not be accepted.

When I log into the portal, it says I have not yet been accepted for Admission. What does this mean?
This means that your application status may still be pending. If you know you have been accepted to the University or are a current or returning student, you may have created a new account by mistake. If you are unsure of your account credentials (the email address you registered with), please contact [email protected] for assistance in obtaining the correct login information.

When is the application deadline?
Please see the deadlines for each semester you are applying for.

The JCU Housing application is considered complete and is accepted only if both the application and deposit are submitted by the deadline. Any submissions after the deadline will not be considered for JCU Housing.

JCU Housing has limited availability, and at times demand surpasses availability. Once all housing options reach their full capacity, applicants will be promptly informed that they will be placed on a waiting list even if they applied by the deadline. Housing applications that do not meet the deposit and full payment deadline will be waitlisted. 

When and where do I send the housing deposit?
The housing deposit of USD/EUR 1000 should be sent at the time of your application or by the application deadline. The Housing Deposit will be applied towards the full Housing payment amount. Submit the payment through the JCU online payment system. Please refer to the Housing Refund and Cancellation Schedule for details.

How do I request roommates?
Roommate requests can be made after your housing application has been completed. Please note that there is a limit to the number of roommate requests that each student may submit. To complete a request, you must have a completed housing application for the intended semester. Students can accept or reject any roommate requests received. If you wish to accept a request, be sure to log back in and click accept before the application deadline. Roommate requests still pending after the deadline may not be considered during placements.

Where do I request a medical-related housing accommodation?
If you wish to request a specific housing accommodation for medical reasons, this can be done during Step 1 of the application process. For a medical-related accommodation to be considered, a recent doctor’s note and/or relevant medical files must be uploaded in PDF format under the application section titled "Health-Related Accommodation Needs." You may also email [email protected] to discuss any medical concerns.

I have documented dietary restrictions (celiac disease, severe nut allergies, observe Kosher). Can I live on my own or request a separate kitchen?
JCU is not able to provide separate kitchens or studio apartments for students with medical or religious dietary requests. You can request a separate set of kitchenware (pots, utensils, etc.) for personal use to avoid cross-contamination when cooking. You are also encouraged to address any restrictions or concerns with your roommates upon arrival.

Does the single room option include a private bathroom?
No, if you are granted a single room, you will not have a roommate in your bedroom. However, all other common areas, including the bathroom(s) and the kitchen, are shared with other residents of the apartment.

If I request a roommate and a single room option, will I get both?
This may depend on availability and need, but in most cases, students are granted their roommate request (shared bedroom) instead of a single room. If you have requested both a single room and a roommate, but would prefer to be placed in a single room, please email [email protected] to inform the Housing Office of your preferences.

Can I edit my application?
You can edit your application until the deadline. Students submitting medical or special requests must also upload the supporting documents in the Student Portal by the deadline -no changes can be made to an application after.

I have decided to withdraw from my spot in JCU Housing. How do I cancel my application?
Please email [email protected] to request your application be canceled.

Does my housing spot carry over from Fall to Spring semester?
Housing assignments do not carry over from one semester to another in the same academic year. You must submit a new application through your student portal for each session that you wish to live in JCU Housing.

What are the payment deadlines?
The Housing Deposit is due by the application deadline. Full payment should be submitted after a housing placement has been received. Please review the Housing Website for specific details. If you are expecting to receive Financial Aid, please email [email protected]. For other payment deadlines, please consult the Tuition and Fees section of the website.

What if I don't get assigned to my first-choice option and there is a cost difference?
You will be billed only for the housing you are assigned. If you have already sent the payment for a housing option that costs less than the option you were assigned, you are expected to submit the remaining balance prior to the designated move-in date.

What happens if I paid for a single upgrade and don't get assigned a single?
Final billing for housing is done in compliance with the University's drop/add schedule. If you requested and/or paid for a single and do not receive it, you will not be billed the cost of the single upgrade. If you have already paid for the upgrade, your account will be credited for the fee. For questions on the status of student accounts, please contact the Finance Office at [email protected]. You will be notified about the single upgrade should you receive it.

How am I reimbursed if I've paid too much?
Refunds are issued after the drop/add period for the session is over and the final tuition fees have been updated for all students. Please contact the Finance Office at [email protected] for more details.

What if my federal or private student loans are not disbursed in time for the payment deadline?
You must pay the housing deposit upfront (out-of-pocket) from personal funds by the regular deposit deadline to be considered for JCU Housing. However, the full payment deadline is automatically extended until your loan is disbursed. Any outstanding balance not covered by loans must be settled by the regular payment deadline. For questions, please contact [email protected].

What happens to my housing payments if I defer for a semester?
If you defer for a semester, all payments (minus the non-refundable housing deposit) can be transferred to the following session within the same academic year. Contact [email protected] to ensure that your application is successfully deferred.

When will I receive confirmation of my housing?
Expect to receive a Placement Notice email shortly following the application deadline for the corresponding semester.

When and how do I pay for housing? Will I receive an invoice?
The housing deposit must be paid when the application is completed and submitted. The Placement Notice provides confirmation of placement and the corresponding full cost for the assigned housing. After receiving this, the remaining housing fee (the full cost minus the housing deposit) should be paid by the final payment deadline.

If you are a study abroad student, please check with your study abroad advisor to see if your home university has an agreement with JCU that affects your billing procedures. If you expect to receive enough Financial Aid to cover the cost of your housing, you must communicate this to the Financial Aid Office prior to the full payment deadline.

Is a meal plan included in the Housing fees?
No. You must purchase your meal plan separately. 

How do I know what the Move-In and Move-Out dates are for the semester?
Please refer to the JCU Academic Calendar for specific dates and deadlines for each semester. You can also find your assigned move-in date, the move-out date, and the full payment deadline on your Placement Notice email.

When should I book my flight?
There is no correct time to book your flight, but it is always better to plan in advance. If you are not booking a direct flight, we suggest arranging at least 2 hours between flights to avoid issues with flight delays, missed layovers, baggage loss, etc.

Is it better to book a one-way ticket?
It is usually more expensive to book a one-way ticket. JCU Housing students must vacate their apartment by the move-out deadline of the corresponding semester. The Academic Calendar is posted up to a year in advance, giving plenty of time to plan for the semester. It is also important to note that students are not permitted to stay in JCU Housing in between academic sessions.

When is the best time to arrive on campus?
We highly recommend booking a flight that is scheduled to land no later than 5 pm on your assigned move-in day. This should give you enough time to collect your baggage and go through customs. The JCU airport shuttle (available only to students living in JCU Housing) is only offered until 6 pm on the move-in day. Please carefully review the arrival information for the semester before booking your airline tickets.

What happens if I have dual citizenship with an EU country?
For legal purposes, you should enter the country using your EU passport. Before doing so, you must inform the JCU Immigration Office and your Admissions counselor so that you will be registered properly.

What should I pack for the semester?
Do not overpack as closet and storage space are limited in Roman apartments. Rome experiences the weather of all four seasons, but winter is usually milder than in the United States. It rarely snows in Rome, but if you plan to travel, you will need to consider packing some warmer clothing as other European countries experience much colder fall and winter temperatures.

Be sure to buy several outlet adapters and converters. Rome is a large and very walkable city, so bring comfortable clothing and shoes. You will be able to find most regular toiletries and many international brands here, so you do not need to stock up on months’ worth of bathroom products. We also recommend bringing a weekend bag or backpack, as well as a reusable water bottle.

How will I know who my Resident Assistant (RA) is?
Your RA will email you shortly before your designated move-in date. You will then have the opportunity to meet them in person upon your arrival at JCU.

How do I receive mail?
Mail will not be accepted directly at any of the residences. Have your mail delivered to the Guarini Campus as follows:

Your Name
John Cabot University
Via della Lungara 233
00165 Rome, Italy

Please note that only small packages no larger than a shoebox will be accepted.

Can I ship my medications to Italy?
Medications should never be shipped to Italy as they will be stopped by Customs and returned to the sender. If you take a specific prescription medication, we recommend bringing enough supply with you to cover you for the entire semester. In emergency situations, most medications can be easily obtained following a medical consult with JCU's English-speaking doctor, Dr. Andrea Guerriero. However, some medications (such as those treating attention deficit disorder) are not legal in Italy. Please contact [email protected] with any specific medical questions.

Is there a storage unit available in between semesters?
The Housing Office will provide information about available storage space close to the end of the semester. Storage space is limited and only available to JCU Housing students who have applied and submitted their housing application and payments for the following semester. You must plan to pack the items you wish to store neatly in a maximum of two boxes or in two suitcases or bags. Please note, spaces are not individually secured or locked in luggage lockers, so it is recommended that you avoid storing valuables.

Can I stay in JCU Housing during session breaks?
For legal and safety reasons, no students are permitted to stay in a JCU Housing unit past the assigned move-out date of the given semester.

Will there be storage space in my apartment?
Each apartment is unique, and the available storage space varies according to the size and layout of the unit.

Are there elevators in the buildings?
There are elevators in some of the residences, but there will most likely not be one if you are placed in a Neighborhood Apartment. Even if there is an elevator in your building, be reminded that most things in Italy are generally much smaller. We encourage you to "do as the Romans do" and be prepared to take the stairs!

Will my apartment have air conditioning?
There is no air conditioning in the Neighborhood Apartments. In the residences, air conditioning is usually only located in the main living area of the apartment and not in the individual bedrooms.

Will there be heating and hot water in my apartment?
Heating is available in all apartments, but its use is regulated by Italian law for environmental purposes. This means that in most cases, the building coordinators will turn on the heat in the Fall and turn it off in the Spring. Hot water is also available, but do not expect to take long showers. Many apartments have a small hot water tank that may take hours to reheat. We recommend working out a schedule with your roommates so that no one will be left without hot water.

Is there recycling in Italy?
Yes, recycling is an important aspect of Italian culture. In Rome, recycling is separated into five categories: landfill waste, plastic and metals, paper, glass, and compost. Each apartment unit will receive trash containers so you and your roommates can recycle according to Roman regulations.

Are the apartments equipped with a Wi-Fi connection?
Yes, there is Wi-Fi in all JCU Housing apartments. However, the connection is only guaranteed to work in one area of the apartment, usually in the common living space.

Who do I contact for assistance with the Wi-FI?
Please fill in a Wi-Fi Assistance form to request assistance with your Wi-Fi. Please only fill in a Wi-Fi Assistance form for Wi-Fi issues in your apartment.

Will I have neighbors who are not JCU students?
If you live in the Lungara Apartments or one of the neighborhood apartments, you will get to experience a more independent living style, including having regular neighbors of all ages and backgrounds.

How far will my apartment be from the campus?
John Cabot University is an urban-style American campus, meaning that each campus building and residence are located separately from each other but within a reasonable distance. The Gianicolo Residence and Lungara Apartments are about a five-minute walk from the Guarini Campus. The Trastevere Apartments are near several convenient modes of public transportation; it can take between 10 and 25 minutes to get to one of the campus buildings by bus or tram. Similarly, the Neighborhood Apartments are near the campuses and are accessible by foot or with up to a 30–45-minute commute by bus or tram. 

Can I have guests over in my apartment?
Under no circumstances are overnight guests allowed in any JCU Housing apartment, including the neighborhood apartments. More information about the guests' policy will be outlined in your Orientation information.

Is there a housing curfew?
There is a mandatory curfew for all JCU Housing students on the designated move-in days ONLY. On these days, you must re-enter your assigned residence no later than midnight.

Can I get maintenance or cleaning assistance in my apartment?
Yes, please access the Maintenance Request form to submit a maintenance or cleaning request. Our maintenance or cleaning staff will come to your apartment as soon as possible in order to follow up on your request. You will not need to be present.

Will my apartment building have security?
Not all JCU Housing buildings have a security guard. However, all JCU apartments are in neighborhoods that are considered safe. Additionally, all JCU Housing students are assigned a Resident Assistant, Resident Director or Neighborhood Apartment Coordinator available to aid with urgent matters. 

Who do I contact in case of an emergency?
In general, you are encouraged to address all non-emergency issues or concerns with your assigned RA or to email [email protected]

Upon arrival, every JCU student receives an ID card with the JCU Emergency Number (+39 331 6561907) written on the back. This is a 24/7 number that you can call in case of a serious emergency, including gas leaks, water leaks, or other urgent issues. 

NOTE: The JCU staff member answering the Emergency Phone will make every possible effort to assist you or refer you to the proper person, agency or service. The JCU Emergency Phone is not an "emergency response team," and in emergency situations (serious illness, fire, theft, etc.), you should first call Italian emergency services as listed on the JCU Emergency Card given to you during Orientation.

The Emergency Number should only be called in a true emergency. You are expected to exercise discretion to distinguish between an inconvenience that can be remedied on your own and a real emergency requiring immediate assistance. Misuse of the Emergency Number can result in fines charged to your student account in addition to charges incurred by JCU in responding to any "false alarm."

Can I get disability related accommodations?
Students requesting disability-related academic accommodations should identify themselves at the time they pay their tuition deposit or housing placement fee. People who need physical accommodation might find mobility limitations while moving across Rome and other Italian cities, as several streets still present their original designs, which can be often dated back to the Middle Ages. For example, the cobblestone streets that characterize the Trastevere neighborhood and similar layouts in the historic city center might create some mobility issues. However, Italy has been working on improving its inclusion and accessibility policies to ensure the protection of people with disabilities by innovating its urban planning and removing architectural barriers, where possible.