New Student Housing

In Spring 2026, Sierra College will open its new student housing complex that will provide housing for more than 350 students. The project is supported by $82 million from the State of California’s Affordable Student Housing grant program. Through careful planning, the monthly rent for most students will be substantially below market rate for the area. Additionally, with investments from members of the community, the cost of housing for students with the greatest need will be significantly decreased — in some cases, down to zero cost to the student.

If you’re looking for a place to live on campus before Spring 2026, visit Student Housing.

A Living-Learning Community for Students

The new student housing space will serve as a centrally-located social hub on campus, creating community for students. It will provide services and amenities that encourage students to participate in campus life, including programs and events. It will also be an empowering space — offering educational opportunities where basic needs are met and life skills are learned.

Rendering of students sitting outside near steps leading to new student housing building

Housing Design

Located in the heart of campus, adjacent to the Library/Learning Resource Center and the Campus Center/Café, this new residence hall will provide affordable student housing.
The housing design is comprised of three wings that converge at a central feature called the Hub, a welcoming glass beacon and center of activity.
The building features a three-story central staircase paired with two elevators for convenient, equitable access to all floors.
Individual residential wings feature generous hallways punctuated with natural light and shared study alcoves on all floors.

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Project Statistics

SCOPE: Three-story student housing

SIZE: 124,000 gsf

PROJECT BUDGET: $98.3 million
The District received $80.5 million for the project through the California Higher Education Student Housing Grant Program.

GROUNDBREAKING: April 11, 2023

END OF CONSTRUCTION: Fall 2025

STUDENTS MOVE IN: Spring 2026

Project Manager: Cypress Construction Management

Concept Architect: AP Architects

Design/Build: HKS, Inc.

General Contractor: DPR Construction

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Income eligibility requirements for students

The eligibility criteria for students occupying low-income student beds is provided in California Education Code (EDC) §17200 and it was established in the Higher Education Student Housing Programs’ enabling statute Senate Bill 169 (2021) and Assembly Bill 183 (2022).

The definition for low-income students is based on their eligibility for at least one of the following state and federal need-based student aid programs:

Pell Grant financial aid under the federal Pell Grant program (20 U.S.C. Sec. 1070a)
A Cal Grant under Chapter 1.7 (commencing with EDC § 69430) of Part 42 of Division 5 of Title 3 (in many cases, this would be Cal Grant B)
An exemption from paying nonresident tuition pursuant to EDC § 68130.5 provided that the student also meets income criteria applicable to the California Dream Act application
A fee waiver from a California Community College pursuant to EDC § 76300

Safety is paramount

Our new housing will provide a safe place for students to live and learn. There will be 24-hour on-call response available from our professional staff. They will be supported by members of our Department of Community Safety team who work in close partnership with local fire, police and emergency response personnel.

We will also have student resident advisors on every wing who, along with our professional staff members, will receive extensive and ongoing training in crisis response, emergency preparedness, and conflict management.