Application Process
How to apply?
After submitting your application, the RGSH team will provide you with further information.
Who can apply?
Only full-time, currently registered Rice University graduate students. Incoming graduate students can apply after receiving an official offer from the University.
Can I apply to both RGA, RVA, and RVT to increase my chances of obtaining a spot?
No, you can only apply for one housing location. A second application will not be processed.
Can I apply for housing with my family?
Yes, you can apply for family housing with a spouse / domestic partner, and/or children only at the Rice Village Apartments. Rice Graduate Apartments and Rice Village Townhomes do not offer family housing.
What can I do if my payment is not going through?
Please wait for a few minutes to try again, or use a different browser, or even a different card. The system does not allow duplicate payments so you will only be charged once. If problems persist, reach out to us at gradapts@rice.edu or rvapts@rice.edu, or you can make a payment with a check or money order as well.
Can I request a tour at RGA/RVA/RVT?
Applicants can request a property tour by scheduling a time and date via gradapts@rice.edu for RGA and rvapts@rice.edu for RVA and RVT. Tours can only be scheduled during normal office hours. Virtual tours are available on the housing application website and be found using the following links:
Virtual tours for RGA:
https://housing.rice.edu/graduate-housing/rice-graduate-apartments/rice-graduate-apartments-floorplans
Virtual tours for RVA:
https://housing.rice.edu/graduate-housing/rice-village-apartments/rice-village-apartments-floorplans
Virtual tours for RVT:
https://housing.rice.edu/graduate-housing/rice-village-townhomes/rice-village-townhomes-floorplans
Where can I find information about the floorplans and rent?
Floor plans and rent information for Rice Graduate Apartments (RGA) can be found here:
https://housing.rice.edu/graduate-housing/rice-graduate-apartments/rice-graduate-apartments-floorplans
Floor plans and rent information for Rice Village Apartments (RVA) can be found here:
https://housing.rice.edu/graduate-housing/rice-village-apartments/rice-village-apartments-floorplans
Floor plans and rent information for Rice Village Townhomes (RVT) can be found here:
https://housing.rice.edu/graduate-housing/rice-village-townhomes/rice-village-townhomes-floorplans
Is a room deposit required to reserve a space?
We do not require deposits as a form of reservation. To reserve a space, you will be required to sign the housing agreement within one week of the housing offer. This agreement is binding.
How can I pay the application fee?
Acceptable payment methods are checks, credit cards, or money orders made payable to “Rice University” only. All checks and money orders should be denominated in U.S. dollars.
Note: A check can be referred to as a “demand draft”, which is a “Manager’s Check” issued by a foreign bank that is drawn on a U.S. bank. This is an acceptable form of payment.
Will I get my application fee back?
No. The application fee is non-refundable.
How much is the housing deposit and when is it due?
The housing deposit is $200 (non-refundable) and is due within 3 days of moving into your apartment.
Will I get my housing deposit back?
No. The deposit is non-refundable.
How and when are housing offers and assignments made for new students?
You will be notified of your housing offer via email. You will have one week (subject to change) from the date of offer to accept or decline. If you decide to accept the offer, roommate assignments will be sent in a separate email prior to your arrival. Room assignments will take into consideration an applicant’s building and floor plan preferences, as well as the questionnaire component of the application. RGSH will make very effort to honor all floor plan preferences and roommate requests on a space-available basis. Roommate requests based upon race, color, religion, sexual orientation, physical characteristics, and national origin will not be considered.
How does Rice Graduate Housing select residents from the housing applicants?
Incoming first-year graduate students are given priority for Rice Graduate Student Housing facilities. This allows incoming graduate students the opportunity to better familiarize themselves with the surrounding area during their first year.
Roommate Matching
May I choose my own roommate?
Prospective residents may request a specific roommate on their housing application. All mutually requested roommates must have complete housing applications. Specific roommates cannot be guaranteed, but all efforts are made to meet requests made.
How are roommates matched?
You can request for a roommate on your housing application. Both students will need to request each other as roommates to be considered. If you do not request a specific roommate, one will be assigned to you based on your building and floor plan preferences, as well as the questionnaire component of your application. RGSH will make very effort to honor all floor plan preferences and roommate requests on a space-available basis. Roommate requests based upon race, color, religion, sexual orientation, physical characteristics, and national origin are not considered.
What happens when my roommate(s) and I have a conflict?
After move-in, all roommates will be required to complete a roommate agreement which contains terms and conditions by which they agree to share an apartment. Conflicts will be resolved based on the agreed terms of the roommate agreement.
Lease and Community Policies
What is a housing agreement?
A housing agreement is a contract between landlord and tenant that sets forth the rights and responsibilities of both parties. The housing agreement allows the tenant to occupy and use both the land and permanently affixed structures for a specific period. In return, the tenant pays a specified rent during the time of occupancy. Once both parties sign the housing agreement, they are bound by its terms. You will be required to sign a housing agreement at the Rice Graduate Student Housing (RGSH) facility you reside at.
When does my housing agreement start and end?
The housing agreement starts August 15th and ends May 15th of the following year. Depending on availability, students can request an early move-in date. This date must be communicated and agreed upon by management.
Can I stay at RGA/RVA/RVT during winter break?
Yes, your housing agreement duration includes the winter break, and you will be financially responsible until the end of your housing agreement term.
What is the term of the Housing Agreement?
We offer a nine-month Housing Agreement (August-May) for the academic calendar year.
Can I stay at RGA/RVA/RVT during the summer (after the end of the housing agreement)?
After the end of the housing agreement on May 15th, students may have the option to extend through the summer, until July 15th. However, this may vary from year to year depending on the availability of rooms.
When can I move into my room?
The default move-in date is August 15th. If you would like to move in prior to this date, you must request for an earlier date on your housing application. This is approved depending on availability.
Is it possible to ship my belongings to my apartment before I arrive?
No. We do not have storage facilities to hold belongings for future residents and cannot sign for packages for non-residents. Any items that are shipped to RGA or RVA / RVT prior to move-in will be returned to the sender.
How do I change information on my housing application?
Please email the specific property you are requesting with your updated information or housing preferences before the appropriate deadline.
Rice Village Apartments (RVA) and Rice Village Townhomes (RVT) at rvapts@rice.edu or Rice Graduate Apartments (RGA) at gradapts@rice.edu.
Is smoking allowed?
All graduate apartment buildings are smoke-free communities. Smoking is strictly prohibited in the rooms, common areas, and hallways. Smoking is allowed only in designated outside areas of the facility.
Are pets allowed?
No. Pets are not allowed at any of the Rice Graduate Student Housing facilities. This includes all mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, crustaceans, arachnids, insects, and other non-humanoid life forms.
Can I have visitors and overnight guests?
Yes. Please refer to the housing agreement for the maximum number of days this is allowed. We recommend discussing subjects like these in advance based on the roommate agreement signed when you moved in. If the visitor or overnight guests have cars, the resident is responsible to apply for the visitor parking permit beforehand. Make sure to always accompany your guests around the building, as guests are not permitted to wander without the company of the resident.
Property comparison
What are the main differences between RGA, RVA, and RVT?
RGA is on Bissonnet Street, whereas both RVA and RVT are on Shakespeare Street. All are within walking distance from campus. You can find the property comparison by accessing this link: https://housing.rice.edu/graduate-housing/property-comparison.
Which property has more engineering/ science/ music/ business/ humanities students?
Generally, there are more music and business students in RVA and RVT and there are more engineering and science students in RGA. It’s a common distribution and can vary depending on the applications every year.
Which property is closer to <XYZ> building on campus?
Rice Graduate Apartments (RGA) is closer to the Space, Science, and Technology (SST) building, Duncan Hall as well as Valhalla. Rice Village Apartments (RVA), as well as Rice Village Townhomes (RVT), are closer to RUPD, Jones School of Business, and the Shepherd School of Music.
Services and Events at RGA/RVA/RVT
How do I get around?
There is a shuttle service that takes residents to and from campus every 15 to 20 min. You can track the shuttle through the TransLoc App.
What utilities are included in my rent?
All utilities except electricity is included (i.e., internet, trash, recycling, water, etc.). Upon moving in, you have 7 days to register your apartment with a power company of your choice. You can use www.choosetexaspower.org to select a service provider. The electricity charges incurred until you sign up with a provider will be billed to your rent account by the property.
What furniture do you provide and what do I need to bring?
You can check the list of furniture provided at: https://housing.rice.edu/graduate-housing/property-comparison. In general, you will need to bring personal items such as bedsheets, pillows, blankets, toilet paper, etc.
Do the properties provide maintenance and repair services?
Yes, all RGSH properties provide maintenance services.
What social events do we have at Grad Housing?
RGA /RVA /RVT host a variety of events to encourage community engagement. Some of these events include fall orientation, holiday parties, competitions, etc.
Does RGA/RVA/RVT have a social media account?
Yes. RGSH properties have Instagram accounts: @gradapts (RGA), @rva_rvt_22 (RVA/RVT). Make sure to follow us on both social media platforms for the most updated information!
Contact Us
- RGA/RVA/RVT Office Hours: Monday - Friday 9 AM - 7 PM, Saturday - Sunday 10 AM - 4 PM.
- RGA Email: gradapts@rice.edu.
- RVA/RVT Email: rvapts@rice.edu.
- RGA Tel: (713) 348-4723 or (713) 527-0603.
- RVA/RVT Tel: (713) 348-4050