Frequently Asked Questions

• Is Manhattan School of Music located in a safe neighborhood?
• How much will it cost me to live in a residence hall?
• I'm a local resident, and I'd really like to live on campus, but I don't know if I can afford it. Any advice?
• Will you tell me about my roommate(s) beforehand?
• Does NYIT offer assistance with locating off-campus housing?
• I'd like to visit the different residence halls before I decide. Can I do that?
• Does NYIT offer health insurance?
• Does NYIT offer fire and/or theft insurance?

Is Manhattan School of Music located in a safe neighborhood?

Manhattan School of Music is located in Morningside Heights and is surrounded by several colleges including Columbia University and Barnard College.  In recent years Manhattan has become a much safer city than many comparable large urban areas. There is a strong community police presence, and neighbors watch out for each other. There is a security desk in the lobby which is staffed 24 hours a day, and all residents have identification cards. Guests must sign in with security personnel before being admitted to the building. Naturally, you'll want to practice the same safety habits you would in your own neighborhood, but you should not feel any apprehension about your safety while living at Manhattan School of Music.

How much will it cost me to live in a residence hall?

For the 2013- 2014 Academic Year:

• Double - $6635 per person, per semester, includes MSM meal plan
• Triple - $6305 per person, per semester, includes MSM meal plan
• All prices include a declining balance MSM meal plan per semester.  Additional funds may be added to meal plan as needed.  Any unused balances on meal plans are not refundable.
   
• NYIT Meal Plan = $100 Flex Dollars 
• Damage deposit = $137.50 per semester, $275 per academic year
• Nonrefundable room deposit = $315
• There is a $350 termination fee for cancelling housing after July 1st for fall semester and after January 1st for spring semester.

The rates for rooms change each year. For additional information, click here.

I'm a local resident and I'd really like to live on campus, but I don't know if I can afford it. Any advice?

Of course, you and your family need to evaluate your financial situation and see if residential life is feasible for you. But keep in mind that commuting is not free. You need to take a look at factors like the cost of driving or taking public transportation and the cost of eating meals on campus during the school day. We recommend that, for starters, you estimate 20 cents per mile for gasoline or for the price of public transportation. Then add in the cost of car payments, regular maintenance and insurance. Then estimate $7 for each meal you'll purchase on campus or in the surrounding neighborhoods. Once you've tallied these figures, compare them to the cost of living in a residence hall. Remember that you can't put a price on what you'll get out of the residential life experience.

Will you tell me about my roommate(s) beforehand?

We'll do better than that. When we send you your housing assignment, we'll also provide contact information for your roommate(s) — names, addresses, phone numbers and e-mail addresses. You'll have plenty of time to get in touch with them, get to know them and make plans for what you'll bring. There are always some issues to deal with when you're living with someone, but many college roommates become close lifelong friends. So think of this as a wonderful opportunity.

Does NYIT offer assistance with locating off-campus housing?

Not at this time. If you're a first-year student or transferring to NYIT, we recommend that you live in one of the college's residence halls so that you'll be able to adjust to life at NYIT in the most supportive atmosphere. If you've been attending NYIT already, are a graduate student or an international student who prefers not to live in the residences, you will have to make your own arrangements for housing. Local newspapers or real estate agencies are the best place to start.

I'd like to visit the different residence halls before I decide. Can I do that?

To tour the residence hall, please call the Admissions Office at 212.261.1508 to set up a tour.

Does NYIT offer health insurance?

All NYIT residential students are automatically enrolled in a Basic Sickness Plan and a Supplemental Accident and Sickness Plan. Domestic students with their own health insurance have the option of opting out of the NYIT Health Insurance by a certain date.

The New York Institute of Technology Student Accident and Sickness Plan has been developed especially for NYIT students. The Plan provides coverage for illness and injuries that occur on and off campus, and includes special cost saving features to keep the coverage as affordable as possible.

For more information regarding the health insurance policy including a waiver, plan overview, brochure, prescription information, doctor locater and more, please contact the Counseling and Wellness Center at 212-261-1790.

Does NYIT offer fire and/or theft insurance?

NYIT offers optional fire and theft insurance in the residence halls through National Student Services Inc., a nationwide leader in College Student Property Insurance since 1971. Every year college students lose millions of dollars worth of personal property from theft, fire, flood, vandalism, natural disasters, and accidental damage. The STUDENT PERSONAL PROPERTY PLAN is officially recognized at over 2000 colleges and universities in the United States. This plan protects your financial investment in personal property.

Some of the most popular items they cover are:

• laptops
• cameras
• mp3 players
• cell phones
• musical Instruments
• personal furniture