Housing Application Instructions

The Ailey School offers subsidized housing to a limited number of students at the Ludlow Street Residence. Located at the northwest corner of Delancey Street on the lower eastside of Manhattan, Ailey students will reside on two floors in single and double rooms. Please note: Housing is not guaranteed to all applicants.

Application Deadline: April 11 at 12pm EST

Housing rates vary between $4,000 and $10,000 per 9-month academic year (late-August through mid-May) and is payable by semester, academic year, or with a payment plan of ten payments. Housing rates are determined based upon each applicant’s individual financial need.  Fees are per person (for single room occupancy or some doubles) and do not include meals. Please be aware that submitting an application does not guarantee housing. (Students auditioning by video are advised to audition before the April 11 deadline). 

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. We also recommend that students pursue alternate accommodation options, in the event they are not granted a space at Ludlow. A list of unaffiliated options is provided in the right-hand sidebar of this page.

Please note: Do NOT contact The Ludlow Residence directly. The Ailey School Admissions Office handles all details pertaining to the Ludlow Residence. If you have questions, please email admissions@alvinailey.org. 

Log into the Customer Portal to complete your enrollment and submit your tuition deposit or Scholarship Participation fee.
After submitting your deposit, you may proceed to uploading your Housing Application.

Customer Portal

_{Submitting an application does not guarantee a space at Ludlow, as space is limited and is based on each student's demonstrated financial need. Applicants are reviewed by the School Co-Director, Tracy Inman and JoAnne Ruggeri, Director of Admissions & Student Affairs.}  

The following is required of ALL applicants

• A $300 tuition deposit for the fall 2025 term. Applications will NOT be considered until a tuition deposit has been made.
• Completed Housing Application and Financial Need Form – A written description of your financial circumstances is required.
• A photocopy of a government issued photo I.D. (i.e.: driver’s license, passport, state I.D.)

Required of U.S. Certificate Program & Independent Study applicants who have applied for Financial Aid:

• Submit a copy of your Federal Financial Aid Award Letter - If you have not yet received your Financial Aid Award letter, you must have submitted your FAFSA by the April 11 Housing application deadline. Insufficient or incomplete FAFSA’s will make your housing application ineligible for review.
• IMPORTANT: U.S. students are advised to apply for Federal Financial Aid as early as possible! We cannot evaluate a housing applicant's financial need without a Financial Aid Award letter or submission of a FAFSA.

Required of international applicants, Scholarship Program applicants, and other U.S. applicants who have not applied for Financial Aid:

• Submit a copy of your 2024 Tax Return (or parent's tax return) 

Please be sure to include your LAST NAME & FIRST NAME in all your file names. Incorrectly named files will cause delays in your application.

_{Housing applications will NOT be considered if financial need documentation is incorrect or incomplete.}

_{*The $300 Damage Deposit, minus any damage assessment, if any, will be refunded to you upon your vacating the dorm.
** The $200 advance housing payment will be applied towards your first housing payment.}