Living near the University of South Carolina often means balancing campus access with everything else that makes downtown Columbia appealing. The Standard at Columbia puts residents 0.35 miles from USC while also keeping them close to destinations like The Vista, Main Street, and Five Points. With furnished apartments, study and social spaces, and amenities designed around student routines, it offers a convenient option for off-campus housing near USC. This FAQ page answers common questions about the community’s floor plans, furnishings, amenities, parking, pet policies, and resident services so students, parents, and guarantors can get a clearer sense of what daily life is like at these student apartments in Columbia, SC.
1. Location and Proximity to Campus
The Standard at Columbia is 0.35 miles from the University of South Carolina campus. The community is just a short walk from campus and close to several academic buildings and student destinations.
The Standard at Columbia is close to several University of South Carolina landmarks, including the Darla Moore School of Business at 0.3 miles, Colonial Life Arena at 0.4 miles, Strom Thurmond Wellness and Fitness Center at 0.5 miles, Thomas Cooper Library at 0.5 miles, Russell House University Union at 0.6 miles, and The Horseshoe at 0.6 miles. It is also near Swearingen Engineering Center at 0.8 miles, Amos Hall at 1 mile, Science Learning Center at 1.1 miles, and Williams-Brice Stadium at 2 miles.
Yes! The Standard at Columbia is close to dining areas, including The Vista at 0.3 miles, Main Street Columbia at 0.6 miles, and Five Points at 1 mile.
The Standard at Columbia is close to several popular destinations in Columbia, including The Vista at 0.3 miles, Main Street Columbia at 0.6 miles, the South Carolina State House at 0.7 miles, Five Points at 1 mile, and Riverbanks Zoo and Garden at 4 miles. These nearby spots offer dining, nightlife, entertainment, shopping, and local attractions.
2. Units, Floor Plans, and Furnishings
The Standard at Columbia offers studio to 5-bedroom apartments.
Yes! The apartments include a furniture package with:
- Full bed
- Desk and chair
- Dresser
- Nightstand
- 55″ Smart TV
- Coffee table
- Entertainment table
- Chair
Sofa, end tables, bar stools, and kitchen islands are available in select floor plans. Some furnishings vary by floor plan, including the Arden layout and select 2-, 3-, 4-, and 5-bedroom apartments.
The kitchens include quartz countertops and designer cabinets.
Yes! Every apartment includes an in-unit washer and dryer.
Yes! Private bedroom and bathroom options are available.
3. Amenities and Shared Spaces
Residents have access to a resident clubroom, academic lounge, private study rooms, computer lab, and multi-sport simulator. The property also hosts monthly resident life events.
Yes! The property features a rooftop pool deck with sunshelves and a Jumbotron.
Yes! The Standard at Columbia includes an academic lounge, private study rooms, and a computer lab.
Yes! The property includes a fitness center with cardio equipment, strength training equipment, and functional training equipment.
4. Study Areas and Academic Support Spaces
The Standard at Columbia offers an academic lounge, private study rooms, and a computer lab. These spaces give residents dedicated areas for studying and getting work done.
Yes! Residents have access to a computer lab with desktop computers.
5. Fitness, Recreation, and Outdoor Features
The fitness center includes treadmills, elliptical trainers, and stair climbers for cardio. Strength training equipment includes power racks or squat racks, deadlift platforms, pull-up bars, barbells, weight plates, a Smith machine, cable crossover or functional trainer, dumbbell racks, adjustable benches, a preacher curl bench, and an Olympic barbell set with bumper plates. Functional training equipment includes medicine or slam balls, battle ropes, foam rollers, and resistance bands.
Outdoor amenities include a rooftop pool deck with sunshelves, a fire pit, grilling station, and bag toss or cornhole lawn. These spaces give residents room to relax and socialize outside.
6. Parking and Transportation
Yes! Gated garage parking is available on-site for residents. Spaces are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis, and a waitlist is available.
The parking garage is controlled access. The property also lists cameras, an on-site courtesy officer, and an on-site security guard Thursday through Saturday nights.
On-site gated garage parking costs $135 per month. Off-site parking options through the City of Columbia are also available nearby, but pricing varies.
The Transit Score for the location is 56.
7. Technology and Wi-Fi
Yes! The property offers high-speed WiFi throughout the community.
8. Pet Policies
Yes! The community allows up to two animals per unit, subject to approval before move-in.
Yes. Aggressive breeds are not permitted, including but not limited to Chow Chow, German Shepherd, Doberman Pinscher, Mastiff breeds, Staffordshire Terrier breeds, Pit Bull, Rottweiler, Cane Corso, Akita, Siberian Husky, Dogo Argentino, Alaskan Malamute, wolf hybrids, and mixes of those breeds.
No. Exotic animals are not permitted, including birds such as parrots and toucans, reptiles such as snakes, rodents such as ferrets, fish tanks, and insects.
All pets and animals must be disclosed and approved before move-in. Applicants must also complete a pet profile through PetScreening.
Residents with approved pets will be charged a recurring monthly pet fee of $35.
9. On-Site Management and Maintenance
Yes! The Standard at Columbia has an on-site management team focused on creating a welcoming and supportive resident experience.
The on-site team helps residents with maintenance requests during office hours. The team also assists with package delivery, lease questions, and other day-to-day resident needs.
The property uses ButterflyMX controlled access for guests and FOB-controlled access for residents. FOB controls are also used for the building, front door, and amenity spaces.
Yes! Cameras are listed among the property’s security features.
10. Community Events and Resident Programming
Yes! The property hosts monthly resident life events.
Resident programming is designed to help residents feel like they belong, fit in, and are cared for. The P.A.W.S. model supports philanthropic, academic, wellness, and social growth.
11. General Property Information
The Standard at Columbia was built in 2023.
The Standard at Columbia has 247 units and 678 beds.
The address is 1401 Assembly St, Columbia, SC 29201.
Yes! The Standard at Columbia offers roommate matching through RoomSync. Roommates are matched using a survey that uses lifestyle preferences, hobbies, daily schedules, and similar living habits to help you find a compatible roommate.
The Standard at Columbia offers individual leases, which means each resident signs their own lease agreement and is only responsible for their own installment payments and any applicable fees. Housing contracts last for 12 months, running from the beginning of August until late July. This provides peace of mind for residents and guarantors, since one person is not financially responsible for the entire apartment or for a roommate’s missed payments.
Residents can pay their monthly installments online through the resident portal linked at the top of this page.