How to Apply
UCHA is not just housing—it is an opportunity to connect with a large cross-section of the academic community from across disciplines, from around the world. Applying is your first step in what may become one of the most enriching experiences of your life.​​
Confirm Eligibility
Will you be 18 years or older by the time you move in?
Are you a:
• UCLA undergraduate student? (must be full time, i.e. taking at least 12 units)
• UCLA graduate student?
• UCLA professional degree student? (law, medicine, dental, etc.)
• UCLA temporary researcher? (full-time salaried/career researchers not eligible)
• UCLA faculty member? (must be teaching 50% FTE hours or more per week)
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• A non-UCLA student attending an accredited college, community college or university full-time for the purposes of obtaining an undergraduate, graduate, associates degree or certificate?
Know the Requirements
Life at the Co-op is hugely different than any other student living arrangement. We are almost entirely student run, which allows us to keep costs low for members. All members are expected to:
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• Complete a 4 hour choreshift per week. This may include maintenance, cooking, gardening, office work, tech support, governance, mail sorting, and more. All chore shifts are arranged so that they do not conflict with student schedules.
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• Clean the bathrooms in their wing on a rotating basis. Most wings have two bathrooms, and each member typically completes two cleanings per quarter.
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Complete Application
Your application is valid for one full academic year (Fall through Summer). If you decide that you do not want admission for the quarter you initially applied for, you may request for your application to be held for another quarter.
Submit Documents
Scan and submit the following documents to our admissions team via email:
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• Completed and signed application.
• Proof of student status (e.g. admissions letter, transcript, I-20, DS-2019, etc.)
• An unexpired state ID, driver's license or passport.
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• International applicants without U.S. citizenship must also submit a copy of their F1 or J1 student visa.
Pay Application Fee
$35
Processing of your application begins after we the apllication fee. The processing time is typically 1-2 weeks.
Quarterly Check In and Check Out Dates for 2025-2026
Summer 2025:
Check-in: June 23, 2025
Check-out: September 12, 2025
Fall 2025:
Check-in: September 22, 2025
Check-out: December 12, 2025
Winter 2026:
Check-in: Janurary 2, 2026
Check-out: March 20, 2026
Spring 2026:
Check-in: March 25, 2026
Check-out: June 12, 2026
Application FAQs
I just applied! What's next?
We follow a first-come, first-serve process. We recommend that you apply early, especially if you plan to move-in during the fall quarter. In the case that there are no vacancies, we will let you know, and we can place you on our waiting list or hold onto your application for admission during a subsequent quarter.
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After the application is processed, we will contact you and provide instructions on next steps and how to pay the reservation fee ($650). This fee is non-refundable and will go towards your first room & board payment, which is paid in three installments each quarter. On the day of your check-in, you will be required to pay the security deposit ($1200) and membership fee ($200). The membership fee is a one-time fee to join the Association and supports special events such as concerts, town halls, snacks for finals, cultural events and more. The security deposit is fully refundable after you leave the Co-op.
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Can I apply in person?
Yes! You can visit us at 500 Landfair Ave., Los Angeles CA, 90024. Our hours are Monday through Friday, 10am-6pm, excluding holidays. Please visit our front office next to the building entrance and let our student worker know that you would like apply. Please note that you will not be admitted on the same day. We will begin processing your application and send further instructions by email.
Do you offer tours?
We do! You can email our front office at officecrew@ucha.coop to schedule a tour. We are located at 500 Landfair Ave., Los Angeles CA, 90024. Our hours are Monday through Friday, 10am-6pm, excluding holidays.
Is it possible to request a specific room?
We fully respect and will do our best to accomodate disability related room requests. Unfortunately, we are unable to accomodate room requests for any other reasons.​
Is it possible to room with my friend?
If there is another student you would like to room with, you may indicate so when submitting your application. While we will try our best to honor the request, it is not always possible. If we are unable to place you in a room with your friend, do not worry! Three weeks into each quarter, members participate in a room swapping process based on seniority (i.e. the number of days a member has lived at the Co-op). During this process, you can form a group with your friend(s) and select from the available rooms together.
What is the quarter system?
UCHA follows the UCLA quarter system. Our application cycles, room & board payments and breaks follow this schedule.
Non-UCLA students (e.g. SMC, UCLA Extension, CalState schools etc.), or students attending UCLA professional schools on the semester system may check-in at any time in between quarters in accordance with their school schedule. However, all members regardless of their school's schedule are contracted according to the quarter system. That is, if your school schedule should end mid-quarter, you will still be responsible for room and board payments until the end of the quarter, except in extenuating circumstances.