Housing Information

TCC offers great housing options for international students

Homestays and apartments are located on bus routes or within walking distance from TCC. No matter what you choose, TCC's Housing Coordinator is there for you, every step of the way. We make it easy to find the perfect place to live while studying in America!

If you are interested in becoming a host, please email the Housing Coordinator your contact information.

Homestay with an American Family

Homestay is an exciting and unique way to learn about American culture. Through TCC's Homestay Program, carefully screened hosts provide students with a private room and some meals for a low monthly fee. The International Office strongly recommends that new students live in a homestay for at least their first quarter.

For detailed information about our homestay program, check our Homestay Handbook.

There are 2 homestay options at TCC

• Complete Homestay ($575 per month, $600 starting September 1, 2013): 3 meals per day, of which the host prepares dinner and the student prepares breakfast and lunch.
  
• Bed and Breakfast Homestay ($450 per month, $475 starting September 1, 2013): The host provides food for breakfast, and the student prepares it. For all other meals, the student buys and prepares the food.

Our homestay placements are quarterly commitments (3 months).

Steps to apply for homestay

1. Fill out homestay application.
2. Contact the Housing Coordinator after you receive your visa.
3. Pay the $250 Homestay Placement fee after you receive your visa (non-refundable)
4. Send your flight information to the Housing Coordinator.

In order to give our Housing Coordinator enough time to place each student in an appropriate and comfortable home, complete homestay applications need to be received by the deadline below:

Complete homestay applications for Summer quarter 2013 must be received no later than May 20, 2013 in order to secure a place in homestay.

Apartments

There are apartments on walking distance from TCC and students can contact local aparments directly. The leases for apartments are for a minimum of 6 months. TCC does not place students in apartments, but can refer you to local apartments.

Apartments at walking distance from TCC where international students can apply without needing a cosigner:

• Lakeside Landing Apartments
• Ridgedale Apartments
• Abbey Lane Apartments
• Highland Court Apartments
• *NEW* Highland Crest Apartments (18+, move in on day of arrival possible in most cases)

Rent a room/house

Some people in the community rent out rooms to international students. This is not thorugh our homestay program. Usually it is renting a room only and meals are not included. Leases and fees vary per landlord.

• Fircrest - Rent a room, 3 minutes from TCC
• Pearl Street - 3-bedroom home for rent across the street from TCC. You can rent the home with a few friends. The lease term are shorter than an apartment across the street.
• Rent a house: 3 bedroom rambler with 1.5 bathroom. High end stainless steel appliances with fire place in the living room. Landscaped backyard with fire pit and horse shoe pit. Great for entertaining. Walking distance to Curtis High School, shopping, banking and restaurants. Near Chamber's Creek Golf Course. Pets are allowed. $1,350 including yard maintenance. Owner had done upkeeps inside and outside the house. A must see. Contact 253.306.8613 or 253.267.9864.

Airport Pick-Up

A TCC representative is available on the scheduled arrival days to meet students upon their arrival at Seattle/Tacoma International Airport (airport code: SEA). 

Students must send flight information for Summer quarter 2013 to the Housing Coordinator no later than June 7, 2013.

We will provide airport pick-up for new students participating in the homestay program on the following days:

Summer Quarter 2013: June 15, 16 and 17, 2013
Fall Quarter 2013: September 13, 14 15 and 16, 2013
Winter Quarter 2014: December 15, 16 and 17, 2013

Those who are not participating in TCC's homestay program:

• New students, if you would like TCC to pick you up from the airport, there is a $75 fee for airport pickup only.
• If parents travel with their child and would like TCC to pick them up at SeaTac airport, there is a $75 fee for airport pickup.

The $75 fee will need to be paid before arrival. We also need the address of the place you will be staying at (in Tacoma) in advance. TCC has the right to decline transportation if there is no address provided or if they have not been notified of their arrival.