First-Year Student Housing Timeline

Planning to live on campus for your first year at KU? Review the key dates and steps below to learn all you need to know about applying for on-campus housing.

Access the myKU Portal

Overview

First-year, transfer, and international students looking to live on campus have important dates and deadlines to meet in order to guarantee on-campus housing.

There is a $50 non-refundable application fee, unless you qualify for a fee waiver from Admissions. First-year students must also pay the KU enrollment deposit by May 1, 2026.

Application Timeline

The housing application for the 2026-2027 academic year is now open. All students who apply to KU by December 1 and completed their housing application & contract by January 15, 2026 will be part of the Crimson Room Selection Lottery group. Housing sign-up times for the lottery are assigned through a randomized process of everyone who is eligible. The day and time of your initial housing application & contract do not influence your selection time.

Your housing application is submitted through the myKU Portal, not the Housing & Residence Life website.

Newly admitted students must first establish their KU online ID: MyIdentity Account Setup.
Once your account is set up, log in to the myKU Portal → Services → Housing.

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Guaranteeing Housing

Housing is guaranteed if your application and contract are completed by 11:59 PM CST, May 1, 2026.

A complete application includes the $50 fee and (for first-years) the enrollment deposit payment or deferral.

Room Selection

May 8, 2026: Lottery group numbers announced in the Housing Portal.
Late May–Early June 2026: Room selection period begins.

Students will be able to choose their hall, room, and bed space based on their assigned group number.

Tip: Have backup options in case your preferred hall or room type is full.

myKU portal login

Visit the myKU login page.
Log in with your KU online ID and password.
Select "Services."
Log in to housing.

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Key Dates for 2026-2027

November 2025	Housing Application Opens Students admitted to KU can log in to the myKU Portal to apply and contract. There is a non-refundable $50 application fee for housing unless you receive a fee waiver from admissions. We also encourage you to pay your admissions enrollment deposit as soon as possible.
January 15, 2026	Primary Submission Date: Students who apply to KU by December 1, 2025, once admitted, can complete the Housing & Residence Life application by 11:59 PM CST, January 15, 2026 qualify for the Crimson Lottery for initial room selection group numbers. Payment or deferral of the enrollment deposit by May 1 is required to be eligible to receive a group number.
March 1, 2026	Scholarship Hall Priority Sign-Up (Optional) If you’re interested in living in a scholarship hall, submit your Scholarship Hall Application by this date to have the best chance to receive an offer. Applications received after this date will remain active for consideration as space becomes available.
May 1, 2026	Deadline to Guarantee Housing Apply and Contract by 11:59 PM CST, to guarantee housing. A complete application and contract includes payment of the housing application fee and payment or deferral of the enrollment deposit. Transfer students and international students will NOT have an enrollment deposit due.
May 4, 2026	Standby List Available The contract will no longer be available. A standby list will be available at 8:00 AM CST. The standby list is NOT a housing contract or a guarantee of housing. Housing & Residence Life will work to accommodate students on the standby list if space is available after room selection.
May-June 2026	May 8: Group Numbers Announced Room selection lottery group numbers will be available in the Housing Portal for students who met application and contracting deadlines. Students are assigned a random group selection number that will give them a date and time to select a space June: Room Selection by group numbers Students have the ability to select their hall, room and bed space. We highly recommend having backup options if your first choice is not available.
Optional Items	Sign Up for a Special Interest Community If you wish to live in the Honors, Engineering, ROTC, Rainbow Community, or a Gender Inclusive Assignment (GIA), submit your Preference Application by May 1 in the housing portal. Connect with a Roommate You are allowed to pull in ONE roommate. Students will have an assigned a PIN number, found in the housing portal, that can be shared with the person you would like to pair with. You will also need your roommates preferred name, choice of bed space and dining plan selection. Students on the standby list cannot be pulled in as a roommate. Submit Medical Accommodations Request If you require medical accommodations, complete your accommodation request with the Student Access Center by May 1 for the best chance of accommodating housing recommendations. Any recommendations received after May 15 will be considered but will be accommodated as space is available.