The program runs Mon / Wed / Fri, 9am–3pm for 8 weeks. If you're flying in from Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, or further out, the most common setup is a furnished short-term rental close to campus — and that's exactly what we've arranged.
We work directly with a curated list of Airbnb hosts who offer discounted rates for MakerSquare students. Each property has been reviewed for workspace quality, internet reliability, and proximity to the program location. You'll receive the full list with booking codes after admission.
Prefer to arrange your own housing? That works too. Most students who drive in from nearby cities find a hotel or short-term rental in central Austin and commute on program days.
~10
Min from campus, partner properties
10–20%
Discount vs. standard Airbnb rates
8
Weeks of program housing available
Wi-Fi
Verified fast internet at each property
Partner options
Housing that fits
how you want to live while you build.
Most Popular
Furnished Studio or 1BR — East Austin
Private furnished apartment near campus with a dedicated workspace. Ideal for single students who want their own space to study and build evenings and weekends.
~$2,800
/ month
MakerSquare rate — ~15% below standard Airbnb pricing
✓ Private workspace with fast internet (200+ Mbps)
✓ Fully furnished, kitchen included
✓ Flexible check-in/out around program dates
✓ 10–15 minute drive to campus
✓ Walking distance to coffee shops and coworking
Shared Option
Shared House — Central Austin
Private room in a fully furnished home shared with 2–3 other MakerSquare students. Study together, stay motivated, split costs. A good fit if you want built-in community.
~$1,600
/ month
MakerSquare rate — shared with other enrolled students
✓ Private bedroom with shared common areas
✓ High-speed internet throughout
✓ Shared study space and kitchen
✓ Housemates are fellow MakerSquare students
✓ 15 minute drive to campus
Weekly Stay
Boutique Hotel — Near Campus
For students who prefer a hotel. We've negotiated a group rate at a well-located Austin boutique hotel walking distance from several coworking options.
~$120
/ night
Group rate — book through our housing coordinator
✓ Daily housekeeping and concierge
✓ Flexible cancellation policy
✓ Fast business-grade internet
✓ Fitness center access
Custom
Arrange Your Own
Prefer to find your own housing? Many students commute from within the Austin area or arrange their own Airbnb. We'll share the campus location and neighborhood map after admission.
—
No coordination needed — just let us know
✓ Full campus address shared post-admission
✓ Neighborhood recommendations provided
✓ Parking info available
✓ No check-in requirement from us
Location
The best Austin neighborhoods
for MakerSquare students.
East Austin
~10 min to campus
The most popular choice. Dense with coffee shops, coworking spaces, and walkable restaurants. Where most of the Austin tech scene lives and works. Lively without being overwhelming.
South Congress (SoCo)
~15 min to campus
Great food, quieter residential streets, easy parking. A good fit for students who want to avoid East Austin density but stay close to the energy.
Mueller / Hyde Park
~12 min to campus
Walkable, family-friendly, and quieter. Excellent for students who want a good study environment and easy grocery access. Strong coffee shop scene.
Domain / North Austin
~20 min to campus
More suburban feel. Better for students with families or who prefer larger spaces. Excellent highway access, easy parking, bigger apartments for less money.
Downtown / Rainey St
~10 min to campus
Best for students who want to be in the middle of Austin's nightlife and social scene. Higher cost. Walking distance to bars and restaurants makes it easy to network after class.
South Lamar
~15 min to campus
Good mix of residential quiet and local activity. Strong restaurant corridor, reliable Airbnb inventory. A reliable choice for most students.
How it works
Getting your housing set up
After you're admitted, housing is handled in three easy steps.
01
Tell us your preference
When you complete enrollment, you'll fill out a brief housing preference form. Private vs. shared, budget range, any specific requirements. Takes 2 minutes.
02
Receive the matched listings
Our housing coordinator sends you 2–3 pre-negotiated options that match your preferences, with the partner discount code and direct booking link for each.
03
Book directly, arrive ready
You book directly with the host. We share the campus address, parking info, and a neighborhood guide so you know the area before you arrive on Day 1.
Questions
Housing FAQ
Is housing required through MakerSquare?
Not at all. The partner program is optional. Many students are Austin locals or have their own housing sorted. We offer it because out-of-town students asked for it, not because it's required.
Can I book housing before I'm admitted?
We recommend waiting until you have your admission confirmed before booking. The program has a clear start date and a fixed end date, so it's straightforward to book once you're in.
What if I want to stay longer or arrive early?
All partner properties allow extended stays. Just let us know your preferred dates in the housing form and the coordinator will check availability. Many students arrive a few days early to settle in before Day 1.
Is there a housing deposit or fee through MakerSquare?
No. We negotiate the discounts, but you book and pay directly with the host. MakerSquare doesn't charge any housing coordination fee.
What if I have family coming with me?
Let us know in the housing preference form. We have a few larger furnished homes in the partner network — great for students bringing a partner or family for the 8 weeks.
Questions about housing?
We're happy to help.
Email our housing coordinator at housing@makersquare.ai — or apply first and we'll walk you through everything during enrollment.
Apply Now → Email Housing Coordinator