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Housing applications are sent to students after they have been accepted and have made a tuition deposit. It is not possible to apply for housing prior to being accepted and submitting a tuition deposit. Space is limited and is granted on a first-come, first-served basis.
Review our summer and academic year housing offerings below.
Summer Housing
Located in Manhattan’s vibrant Lower East Side neighborhood, the Ludlow Residence is only a short subway commute from The Ailey School. The air-conditioned, single and double occupancy rooms include an en suite bathroom, small refrigerator, microwave oven, and basic dorm-style furnishings. The facility features a large common kitchen and an outdoor patio. A dedicated resident assistant also lives on the premises to offer support to students as they get settled and navigate New York City. Included in the cost of housing is wireless internet and free laundry facilities. Meals and transportation to and from The Ailey School are not included.
Acceptance to the Summer Intensive does not guarantee housing. Space is limited and on a first come, first-served basis.
2027 cost: TBD
2026 Cost: $2835
Costs listed above are per person. Ludlow Residence rooms are double or single occupancy, depending on availability at the time of initial deposit. Housing fees are subject to change.
Fordham University McMahon Hall dormitory is a five-minute walk from The Ailey School. McMahon Hall offers air-conditioned apartment-style housing with a 24-hour security guard. Each suite contains a common room, kitchen, bathroom, and either two or three bedrooms that can accommodate two to three students per bedroom. Apartments come with basic dorm-style furnishings. Kitchens are equipped with refrigerators, electric stove-top oven, and sink.
Included in the cost of housing is wireless internet, free laundry facilities, and two complementary physical therapy visits with The Ailey School physical therapists. Resident assistants live on-site to monitor students and plan activities on weekends and evenings. A chaperone program is offered for Junior Division students ages 14 to 15. Meals are not included, but students can prepare meals in each suite’s full kitchen facilities.
Acceptance to the Summer Intensive does not guarantee housing. Space is limited and on a first come, first-served basis.
2027 Cost: TBD
2026 Cost:
Ages 14-15 - $2570
Ages 16 & older - $2980
Costs listed above are per person. McMahon Hall rooms double and triple occupancy. Housing fees are subject to change.
Housing applications are sent to all accepted students after they have made a $300 tuition deposit to confirm their attendance in the Summer Intensive. (Tuition deposits do not guarantee housing).
Housing at both dormitories is limited and on a first come-first served basis. There is no guarantee space will not fill before the housing deadlines listed below. Therefore, it is strongly advised that students make their tuition deposit within two weeks of their acceptance, and subsequently submit a separate housing deposit as soon as possible.
The final deadline to make a housing deposit is April 16, by 4:00pm EST.
Final deadline to pay housing balance in full is May 14, by 4:00pm EST.
Merit-based housing assistance is available to students who show the highest dance potential at their audition.
Limited need-based housing stipends are also available by application to those who qualify. Students may apply for need-based assistance after they are accepted to the Summer Intensive.
Academic Year Housing
Because housing at Ludlow is subsidized by The Ailey School during the academic year, students must demonstrate financial need to be considered for housing. Fees are based on each applicant’s demonstrated financial need and vary between $4,000 and $10,000 per academic year (late-August through mid-May). Fees are per person (for single or double occupancy rooms), do not include meals, and are subject to change. Applying does not guarantee housing. Space is limited and rooms are granted to those with the greatest documented financial need. If you are granted housing, you will be notified of your housing cost and you will have a limited time to accept.
Students must first be accepted to one of the Professional Division Programs to apply for housing at Ludlow. Application instructions will be sent to accepted students with their acceptance letters. Housing applications must be submitted by the deadline specified in the instructions. All applications will be reviewed at the same time by the School Co-Director and the Director of Admissions after the final application deadline. Housing is awarded based on each applicants demonstrated financial need, and not on a first-come, first-served basis.
Housing is limited and submission of an application does not guarantee a space at the Ludlow Residence. Incomplete housing applications will not be reviewed.
Housing for students in the Ailey/Fordham BFA in Dance program is available at Fordham's McMahon Hall and McKeon Hall during the academic year. Learn more at the Office of Residence Lift at Fordham University or call 212-636-7100.
Off-Campus Housing
A list of off-campus housing resources is available for those students who wish to live independently. Off-campus housing resources are not affiliated with The Ailey School, and we are not able to assist with housing arrangements between students and off-campus accommodations.
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FAQs
No. Although it is highly recommended, housing in the dormitories is optional. A list of alternate housing options is available on our website.
During the school year, accepted students may apply for subsidized housing at the Ludlow Residence. Subsidized housing may be awarded to students with demonstrated financial need, on a limited basis.
During the summer, limited need-based financial assistance is available by application. Only those students who have made a deposit to secure a place in one of our summer residences may apply for housing assistance. In addition, we happily accept payments from your local, third-party supporters. You are also welcome to make small, incremental payments as long as the total housing cost is received ON or BEFORE the final payment deadline.
Phone payments are not accepted. Space can only be reserved through our online portal. Housing payments and a Housing Contract must be submitted at the same time. Housing Contracts will be available starting 48 hours after submitting a deposit for the Summer Intensive. A link to the Summer Housing Application will be included in your initial payment confirmation. (Reservations will be jeopardized if final deadlines are not met.)
The Ailey School does not assist with making arrangements for transportation from the local airports. Students must arrange their own transportation to and from The Ailey School. There are several transit options between the airport and our two summer dormitories. Please visit www.panynj.gov/airports for more detailed information on shuttles, taxis, trains, buses and car services. An internet search will also yield results for the many shuttle buses and car services that are available.
New York City OMNY cards are not provided for Ludlow residents. Students must cover the cost of commuting to and from The Ailey School at their own expense.
A list of off-campus accommodations that are not affiliated with The Ailey School is available for those students who wish to live independently. However, The Ailey School does not assist in making off-campus housing arrangements for students. The Staff are available to answer questions regarding off-campus housing locations and commuting distances to and from The Ailey School to those students who are unfamiliar with New York City.