First-Year Housing Options
We invest in our students' success by investing in some of the newest and most inviting living centers in Michigan. We've built exceptional housing so that you can build lasting friendships, personal character, and have a highly rewarding college experience. Whether you choose to live in Allendale or Grand Rapids, you have a variety of inspiring housing options.
Incoming first year students are required to live on campus. Once you have been admitted to GVSU, you must submit a housing application or an exemption request online. This may be done in your myHousing portal. Students who apply earlier are more likely to get a preferred housing choice.
Apply Now!
Click here to start a housing application. This application is all students interested in housing at Grand Valley.
Interested in a Living-Learning Community (LLC)?
Research shows that living in an academically focused community has a strong effect on student learning and achievement as students in LLCs connect more intentionally and naturally with peers, faculty members, and staff members. Grand Valley has a variety of living-learning communities in Allendale and Grand Rapids, each with different interest areas and themes. Visit the Living-Learning Communities page to learn more. It is not a requirement to be part of a living-learning community to live on-campus in downtown Grand Rapids.
North Campus - Allendale
North Campus is where a majority of first year students live at GVSU. Housing options on North Campus are conveniently located near campus dining and buildings where a majority of first year students will have classes in. The cost of housing on North Campus includes a 14+ meal plan. Students may upgrade their meal plan. Students that live in 1 or 2 Bedroom Apartment-Style units may reduce their meal plan.
Traditional-Style
For the traditional or "true" college experience. Two students (Single-occupancy during COVID-19) share a furnished room with bathroom and kitchen facilities shared between students on the floor.
Cluster-Style
Similar to traditional-style, clusters of student rooms surround a bathroom and other shared facilities. These furnished rooms offer a lower student-to-bathroom ratio, air-conditioning, and are located in the newest living center on campus.
Suite-Style
Four students live in two furnished rooms connected by a bathroom. Rooms are larger than traditional and cluster-style. Perfect for those looking for a "true" college experience with just a little more privacy.
1-Bedroom Apartment-Style
Two students share an efficiency-style apartment consisting of a small kitchenette, a living/bedroom space, and a bathroom. Similar to suite-style, but with even more privacy.
2-Bedroom Apartment-Style
Two students each have their own bedroom and share a small kitchenette and bathroom. The most private rooms on North campus.
Living-Learning Communities
Living-Learning Communities offer a more in-depth academic experience while living on campus. These communities are located all around campus and the amenities in each will vary based on the building.
South Campus - Allendale
South Campus is home to all of our on-campus apartment buildings and the Calder Residence. Upperclass and transfer students primarily live on south campus, but some first-year students live here in Living-Learning Communities.
Niemeyer East/West
Niemeyer East and West are located in the Honors College building near the Calder Art Center. These fully furnished and air-conditioned efficiency, 2-bedroom, and 4-bedroom apartments are reserved for first-year and returning Honors College students but students from all majors and colleges can live in the building.
Murray & VanSteeland Apartments
Murray & VanSteeland living centers offer fully furnished and air-conditioned 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom, and 4-bedroom apartments for first-year and returning/transfer students. VanSteeland is home to the Gender Justice House.
Laker Village Apartments
Laker Village Apartments offer fully furnished efficiency, 2-bedroom (A.C.), and 4-bedroom (A.C.) townhouse-style apartments for returning and transfer students, and some first-year students. Laker Village is also home to many student-athletes and the International House.
South C, D, & E Apartments
South Apartments C, D, and E offer fully furnished and air-conditioned 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom, and 4-bedroom apartments for returning/transfer students and some first-year students. These buildings offer the newest and most updated facilities on South campus.
Living-Learning Communities
Living-Learning Communities offer a more in-depth academic experience while living on campus. These communities are located all around campus and the amenities in each will vary based on the building.
Robert C. Pew Grand Rapids Campus
The Robert C. Pew Grand Rapids Campus is home to the Seidman College of Business, the engineering program, and many other interdisciplinary and disciplinary studies. Grand Valley has many options for convenient downtown on-campus living for students from their first year through graduation, including four dedicated downtown living-learning communities. It is not a requirement to be part of a living-learning community to live on-campus downtown.
Winter Hall
Winter Hall offers fully furnished efficiency and 2-bedroom apartments for first-year, transfer, and returning students.
Secchia Hall
Secchia Hall offers fully furnished 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom, 3-bedroom, and 4-bedroom apartments for first-year, transfer, and returning students.
Living-Learning Communities
Grand Valley’s 10 distinctive living-learning communities offer a more focused academic experience while living on campus. These communities are located on both the Allendale and Pew Grand Rapids campuses and the amenities in each will vary based on the building.
Efficiency vs. Apartment-Style vs. On-Campus Apartment
Efficiency Units
Efficiency units are single-room units with a bathroom. These units have a loft-style kitchenette and living/bedroom space that are not separate. There are a limited number of efficiency units on campus and they are typically reserved fast. These units offer:
- Private kitchenette with small appliances
- Private bathroom
- One student in each unit
Efficiency units are limited and located in the following buildings:
- Niemeyer East/West (Air-conditioned)
- Calder Residence
- Laker Village
- Winter Hall
Apartment-Style
Apartment-style living centers are located on North Campus for first-year students, and on the Pew Campus for returning & transfer students or first-year students in Living-Learning Communities. Apartment-style means a traditional dorm-style room with additional amenities. Apartment-style units contain the following:
- Private bathroom for the apartment
- Private kitchen space for the apartment with small appliances
- Private bedrooms (Only in two-bedroom apartments)
Apartment-style living centers:
- North C., Hills, Frey (1-bedroom)
- Weed, Hoobler, Ott, Johnson (2-bedroom)
- Winter Hall (Downtown, 2-bedroom)
On-Campus Apartments
On-campus apartments are fully furnished apartment buildings located on the Allendale campus that are owned and operated by the university. On-campus apartments primarily house returning & transfer students, but first-year students live in these buildings if they are a part of a Living-Learning Community. On-campus apartments include the following:
- Private bathroom(s)
- Private kitchen with full-size appliances (Refrigerator, stove, sink, and a dishwasher in some options)
- Private bedrooms with closets for each student
- Shared living space (Private living space in 1-bedroom units)
On-Campus Apartments:
- Niemeyer East/West
- Murray Living Center
- VanSteeland Living Center
- Grand Valley Apartments (No Air-conditioning)
- South Apartments C/D/E
- Laker Village Apartments North/South
- Secchia Hall