Housing & Student Services
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of housing is available during the academic year?
Students enrolled in the Ailey/Fordham BFA Program may be housed at Fordham University’s McMahon Hall.
Students in the Certificate Program, Independent Study Program, and Scholarship Program may apply for limited subsidized housing at the Ludlow Residence.
Please contact the Admissions Office at admissions@alvinailey.org for information on the Ludlow Residence.
What type of housing is available during the summer?
Fordham University’s McMahon Hall is available for students 14 to 17. A chaperone program is available for 14 and 15 year old students. Students must be 14 by April 1 to be eligible for housing at McMahon Hall. Please contact the Summer Housing Coordinator at housing@alvinailey.org or 212-405-9138 for information on McMahon Hall.
The Ludlow Residence is available for students 18 and older. Please contact the Admissions Office at admissions@alvinailey.org for information on the Ludlow Residence.
What is inlcuded in the cost of summer housing?
The cost of housing at McMahon Hall includes wireless internet, free laundry facilities, and two complementary physical therapy visits with The Ailey School Physical Therapists. Meals are not included.
The cost of housing at the Ludlow Residence includes wireless internet and free laundry facilities. Meals and transportation to and from The Ailey School are not included. Complementary Physical Therapy visits are also not included but are available at an additional cost of $25 per visit (maximum of two visits per student).
Is housing guaranteed if I am accepted into the Ailey Summer Intensive programs?
No. Housing is reserved on a first come, first served basis, until all beds have been assigned. Housing deposits will only be accepted from students who have already made a tuition deposit to confirm their attendance in the summer program.
Is there need–based financial assistance for housing?
Limited need-based financial assistance for summer housing is available by application. Only those students who have made a tuition deposit to the Summer Intensive 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.
Is it mandatory to reside in one of The Ailey School summer dormitories?
No. Although it is highly recommended, housing in the dormitories is optional. You may request a list of alternate housing options by emailing admissions@alvinailey.org.
How far is McMahon Hall from the Ailey School?
McMahon Hall is located a 5 minute walk from the Ailey School at 155 West 60th Street (between 9th and 10th Aves), New York, NY 10023. There is no need for public transportation between the dormitory and the school, as students can easily walk to and from both locations.
How far is the Ludlow Residence from the Ailey School?
101 Ludlow Street is a 30 minute commute by public transportation. There are several convenient subway lines that travel to and from The Ailey School.
What are the rooms and facilities like at McMahon Hall?
McMahon Hall is a 20-story building with elevator service that offers apartment-style housing with a 24-hour security guard. Each air-conditioned, apartment-style suite is composed of a common room, a kitchen, a bathroom, and either 2 or 3 bedrooms that can accommodate 2 to 3 students per bedroom. There are 4 to 8 students per suite. Apartments come with basic dorm-style furnishings. Kitchens are equipped with refrigerators, electric stove-top oven, and sink.
Rooms are NOT equipped with; Televisions, microwaves, dishwashers, cooking ware, dishware, bedding, towels, toilet paper or cleaning supplies. A complete list of furnishings is included in the Housing Application packet, as well as a list of what household and comfort items to bring.
What are the rooms and facilities like at the Ludlow Residence?
The Ludlow Residence hall is comprised of single rooms with a shared bathroom, and double rooms with a shared bathroom. The facility is full air-conditioned. Each room has a small refrigerator and a microwave. There is a large outdoor patio, a large recreation room in the basement with a large screen TV, a lounge area, and a common kitchen which is available for student use. Free laundry facilities are located in the basement.
Is there a cafeteria or meal plan?
Although a meal plan is not available during the summer, Fordham University has a cafeteria that is open from 8:30AM to 3:30PM, Monday to Friday. The Cafeteria offers prepared foods and hot meals for purchase. The cafeteria is closed during the weekends and all Fridays after the 4th of July. Cash and debit/credit cards are acceptable forms of payment in the cafeteria.
Additionally, The Ailey Boutique located on the ground floor of The Ailey School offers lunch items and healthy snack options during the weekdays. There are several diverse local eateries and grocery stores within walking distance of McMahon Hall and The Ailey School, many of which provide delivery service to the dormitory.
As a reminder, the suites at McMahon hall are equipped with basic functioning kitchens for those students who wish to prepare their own meals.
Will there be Resident Assistants or Chaperones available?
Resident Assistants and Chaperones who are employed exclusively for the Ailey Summer Intensive Students live in the dormitory and provide a congenial and supportive environment for residents.
Chaperones and RA’s go through a thorough interview, background checks, and training process. Resident Assistants are available for all Professional Division students residing at the dormitory and Chaperones are responsible for all Junior Division students residing in the dormitory. Activities are planned throughout the summer for chaperoned students and are led by Resident Assistants and Chaperones. Non-chaperoned students are also welcome to participate in planned activities. However, those students will not be monitored by or accountable to the Chaperones.
Are there curfews for my son/daughter?
McMahon Hall: There are curfews depending on a students’ age. There is no set curfew for Professional Division students 18 years old or older.
Curfews and room checks are in effect for Summer Intensive students as follows: Junior Division students must be in their apartments by:
- 10pm Sunday-Thursday
- 11pm Friday-Saturday
Professional Division students ages 16-17 must be in their apartments by:
- 11pm Sunday-Thursday
- 12am Friday-Saturday
The Ludlow Residence: As this is a facility for adult students there is no curfew at The Ludlow Residence for any residents. There is a dedicated Ailey Resident Assistant, and a Residence Hall Director who resides on the premises.
What is the guest policy? Are parents allowed to visit their students in the dormitory?
McMahon Hall: Absolutely NO guests are permitted. Parents will be allowed to assist their sons/daughters in the dormitory during assigned Move-In and Move-Out days ONLY. Parents will not be allowed upstairs into the dormitory at any other times during the Summer Intensive Program. During the summer months, McMahon Hall houses Fordham University students and other summer guests in addition to Ailey School students. Therefore, in order to respect the privacy of the Non-Ailey residents we ask that families socialize outside of the dormitory when visiting.
Summer Intensive students who do not reside in McMahon Hall are strictly prohibited from visiting fellow students who do reside at the dormitory.
The Ludlow Residence: There is a guest policy at The Ludlow Residence and students are required to abide by the rules and regulations set forth by the on-site Ludlow Residence Hall Director. A detailed handbook will be provided for residents upon confirmation of their housing reservation.
Is there Internet in the dormitory?
Free internet is available at McMahon Hall and at the Ludlow Residence.
Are housekeeping services provided at McMahon Hall or the Ludlow Residence?
No. Students are expected to maintain a neat, clean and orderly room at all times and to show respect and courtesy to their fellow cohabitants by doing so. Students must provide their own cleaning supplies, and other housekeeping items. Upon vacancy, rooms should be left in the clean condition in which they were found. Any damage or additional cleaning fees will be assessed to those students occupying the room/suite.
Are laundry services are available?
McMahon Hall: Washing machines and dryers are located on the 2nd, 10th and 16th floors of the dormitory for student use at no additional cost. However, students must provide their own laundry detergent.
Ludlow Residence: A large laundry room is located in the basement where students may do their laundry for free.
Can my son/daughter receive mail at the dormitory over the summer?
McMahon Hall: Students may receive mail AFTER they have moved in to the dormitory. No mail will be accepted prior to move-in or after move-out dates. Students will be assigned a mailbox and will receive a mailbox code upon Move-In. Students must present their Guest Identification card to the Mailroom staff during business hours in order to retrieve their package. Mailroom hours are 9am-5pm, Monday-Thursday and 9am-1pm on Friday and are subject to change. Fordham University does not accept responsibility for the transportation of students’ belongings. Students can only send letters with the appropriate postage from the University’s mailroom. There is a US Postal Office located at 27 West 60th Street, NY, NY 10023 from which students can mail packages home.
The Ludlow Residence: Mailboxes are assigned to students who reside at Ludlow during the academic year. Small packages and mail may be sent to students who reside at Ludlow during the summer and will be received by Security.
Can I pay over the phone to reserve housing?
Unfortunately, space can only be reserved with a deposit payment and the required paperwork. Please submit these items at the same time by fax or mail. (Reservations will be jeopardized if final deadlines are not met.)
Does the Ailey School offer transportation services between the airport and The Ailey School summer dormitories?
The Ailey School does not provide transportation from the local airports. Students have 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.
Who should I contact if I have questions about McMahon Hall?
Please contact the Summer Housing Coordinator at housing@alvinailey.org or 212-405-9138.
When can my son/daughter move into the dormitory? Can my student arrive early or stay additional days in the dormitory?
Students can move into McMahon Hall during the assigned move-in times ONLY as indicated in your housing packet.
Who should I contact if I have questions about the Ludlow Residence?
Please contact the Admissions Office at admissions@alvinailey.org or 212-405-9513.
What is the guest policy, and other policies, at Ludlow?
Students housed at the Ludlow Residence are required to abide by the rules and regulations set forth by the on-site Ludlow Residence Hall Director. A detailed handbook will be provided for residents upon confirmation of their housing reservation.