free web tracker
Skip to Contents
Tseng College wordmark for home pageCSUN graphic for California State University, Northridge home page

The Tseng College

Intensive English Program

IEP Frequently Asked Questions (and Answers)

Obtaining IEP Housing

About IEP Housing Facilities

Meal Plan and Food Services

Residential Living Policies

Health Insurance

Transportation and Directions to CSUN

Emergency Contact Information

Refunds and Housing Cancellations


Obtaining IEP Housing

How do I apply for IEP housing at CSUN?
Download the CSUN Housing and Meal Plan Agreement for the academic term for which you are applying. Follow the step-by-step instructions to complete and submit the agreement.

How much will my IEP housing cost?
The cost of your housing will depend on the academic term you select. The cost of IEP housing for each term is indicated in Section B of the applicable Housing and Meal Plan Agreement.

When will the receipt of my housing application and payment be confirmed?
The IEP Housing Office usually responds within seven to 10 business days after receiving your housing application and credit card authorization or check. Once our housing is assigned, you will receive an email with your confirmation number.

How will the IEP Housing Office communicate with me?
The IEP Housing Office communicates primarily by email. Therefore, be sure to write your email address clearly and correctly on your Housing and Meal Plan Agreement.

How can I extend my housing contract?
To request an extended housing contract, email the IEP Housing Office, prior the deadline date.

About IEP Housing Facilities

To which CSUN student residential building will I be assigned? Saguaro Hall (Building 12) is reserved for all IEP students. (See Campus Map for location.)

How many students share the rooms in this building? All IEP housing units consist of two-bedroom apartments. Each unit’s bedrooms may be occupied by one student (designated “single room” on the Housing and Meal Plan Agreement) or two students (designated “double room” on the Agreement), so that each apartment can house a minimum of two and a maximum of four students per academic session.

How many people share a bathroom? Each IEP housing bathroom has a vanity area with cabinets and two sinks, a separate room with a toilet, and another room with a bathtub and shower. If both bedrooms are occupied by one student, then two people share a bathroom. If both bedrooms are occupied by two students, then the bathroom is shared by four students.

May I select my own roommate? Yes. You do this by entering the name of the IEP student you wish to have as your roommate in the “Roommate Profile” in Section D of the Housing and Meal Plan Agreement

When can I move in? The check-in and check-out dates for each academic term are specified in Section B of the Housing and Meal Plan Agreement. Please schedule your arrival and departure times to coincide with these dates.

If I would like to arrive a few days early or postpone my departure date, is there a way to arrange this? Yes. Please email the IEP Housing Office to request an extended housing contract.

What amenities and furnishings are provided in the IEP housing facilities?Each unit has the following:

  • Keycard access
  • Two bedrooms, each with extra-long twin beds, desks and chairs
  • One bathroom with combination bathtub/shower
  • Living room with table, chairs and lamp
  • Private balcony
  • Mini-refrigerator
  • Microwave oven
  • Wireless Internet and cable TV service access

What things do I need to bring or purchase locally?

  • Bedding (sheets, blankets and pillows, size Twin Extra Long)*
  • Bath linens (towels, washcloths, bathmats, etc.)*
  • Personal electronic equipment (computer, stereo, television, etc.)
  • Personal toiletries
  • Cleaning supplies (brooms, mops, toilet plungers, ironing boards, vacuum cleaners, trash containers, detergents, etc.)

* A “linen basket” containing one pillow, one set of extra-long twin bed sheets, one blanket and one towel may be purchased from the IEP Housing Office for $80.

NOTE: We strongly encourage all residents to acquire personal property insurance, such as renter’s insurance. Renter’s insurance policies can be obtained through most major insurance companies.

Does Saguaro Hall have kitchen facilities?Yes. There are common kitchens on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th floors of the building for use by the residents of each floor. Each kitchen has a refrigerator, stove and sink. Residents must supply their own cookware and utensils for use in the common kitchen. Residents must keep the kitchen clean.

Is maid service provided by the IEP Housing Office? No. Students are responsible for cleaning their own rooms during their stay at CSUN.

Are laundry facilities available? Yes. There is a laundry room with coin-operated washing machines and dryers on the first floor of Saguaro Hall.

Is parking available? Yes. You will need to purchase a Student Parking Permit. Permits may be purchased at University Cash Services located in Bayramian Hall (See Campus Map). For more information on parking, visit Parking and Transportation Service web page.

Meal Plan and Food Services

May I rent a room without purchasing the Meal Plan? No. Purchasing the Meal Plan is required because the Meal Plan price is included in the housing fee.

When does food service begin? The food service start date corresponds with the beginning of the academic term selected on your Housing and Meal Plan Agreement.

What does the Meal Plan include? The Meal Plan entitles you to 10 meals per week plus $20 in additional dining dollars per week that can be used to purchase food, beverages and other items at different on-campus convenience stores.

How do I use the Meal Plan? Your 10 meals per week are available at Geronimo’s in the Satellite Student Union (SSU). Your additional dining dollars ($20) can be used at various campus locations. See food locations for details.

May I increase or reduce the cost of my Meal Plan during my period of residence? You can increase the number of meals included in the Meal Plan for an additional fee. For details, visit the Meal Plan Website.

The cost of the basic Meal Plan cannot be reduced. If you skip meals, you will not be reimbursed for the meals you missed.

Residential Living Policies

May I have visitors in my room? Yes. However, if you intend to have overnight guests, each guest will need to complete a CSUN Guest Registration Form.

What is prohibited in the residential building and student apartments? Smoking is not permitted anywhere in the building.

The following items are also prohibited:

  • Candles or other items that may cause fire.
  • Dangerous or flammable chemicals
  • Explosives of any kind
  • Large musical instruments, including drum sets, pianos and organs
  • Pets (other than small fish)
  • Weapons of any kind, including firearms, ammunition, swords, bows and arrows, and paintball guns.

May I change rooms after I move in? If you have a serious reason for wishing to move, you may submit a Room Change Request to the IEP Housing Office. However, the Housing Office cannot guarantee that your request will be approved.

NOTE: Do not change rooms without notifying the Housing Office. Please remember that your room is linked to your student account at CSUN, and you will be charged for any damage to your room that may be caused by others.

Will I be charged if I lose my room and/or mail key? Yes. If you lose your key(s), you will be charged $25 for each replacement.

Health Insurance

What are the health insurance requirements for IEP students? If you are an international student with a visa to study in the U.S., you are required to obtain and maintain insurance coverage for health, medical evacuation and repatriation during your period of enrollment at CSUN. Failure to comply with this requirement could jeopardize your student status at CSUN.

How will my health insurance coverage be documented? The IEP Office is responsible for keeping a record of your health insurance information. You will be required to provide documentation of adequate health insurance coverage at the time of student Orientation. (Orientation is normally on the Wednesday of the first week of the academic term).

How much insurance coverage do I need? Your need to purchase a plan that will provide the following minimum benefits:

  • Medical benefits of at least $50,000 (U.S.) per accident or illness
  • Medical evacuation coverage of at least $10,000 (U.S.)
  • Repatriation coverage of at least $7,500 (U.S.)

Where can I purchase the required insurance coverage? Insurance coverage can be purchased in your own country or in the U.S.A. The university contracts with insurance vendors and you may purchase insurance during orientation or online at www.studentinsurance.wellsfargo.com

Transportation and Directions to CSUN

Is airport assistance service available for arriving students?Airport assistance service from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is available on a pre-scheduled basis, on the scheduled date and time only.

How do I schedule my airport assistance and transportation to CSUN? AAfter you have booked your airline ticket (the arrival date should correspond with the check-in date on your housing contract), complete the Airport Assistance Request Form.

Please read the form carefully to be sure that your flight arrives at LAX on the designated IEP airport pick-up day and time for your academic term.

NOTE: The form must be submitted at least six days before your flight.

What if my flight doesn’t arrive on a designated IEP pick-up day or at the designated time? You can schedule your own pick-up and – if needed – hotel accommodations. See Arrival Resources for information.

If I am arranging my own transportation, what is the CSUN street address for the IEP Housing Office?You must check-in to receive your housing key at the Housing Office that is located at
17950 Lassen Street, Northridge CA 91325 in Building #6 on the CSUN campus.

Housing Office hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Emergency Contact Information

What numbers should I call in an emergency? If the emergency is on campus, call the CSUN Department of Public Safety at (818) 677-2111.

The Department of Public Safety office is located on the west side of campus, at the corner of Darby and Prairie Streets.

If the emergency is off campus, call 9-1-1.

Refunds and Housing Cancellations

What if I want to cancel my on-campus housing arrangements? Please visit IEP Refund Policy for information about refunds. If you decide to apply for a refund, you will need to complete and submit an IEP Refund Request Form.