First-Year Housing at KU

Living on campus is an important part of the first‑year experience. Use the information below to understand housing requirements, deadlines, and the room selection process.

Access the myKU Portal

Housing Application & Fee

The housing application includes a $50 nonrefunable fee, unless you qualify for a fee waiver from Admissions. Housing is guaranteed if your application and contract are completed by 11:59 PM CST, May 1, 2026.

A complete application includes:

$50 application fee
Enrollment deposit payment or deferral

How to Apply

Set up your KU online ID: MyIdentity Account Setup.
Log in to the myKU Portal
1. Navigate to myKU Portal → Services → Housing.
Complete the housing application and contract.

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Room Selection & Lottery Groups

First-year students are placed into lottery groups based on when they apply to KU and complete their housing application and contract. Sign-up times are randomly assigned, and your initial application timing does not affect your selection time.

Students are placed into Crimson, Yellow, or Blue lottery groups.

Crimson Lottery: Students who apply to KU by December 1 and complete their housing application and contract by January 15, 2026, are placed in the Crimson Group.
Yellow Lottery: Students qualify for the Yellow Lottery by applying to KU by January 16, 2026, and completing the housing contract by February 13, 2026. Students in this group receive their group numbers after the Crimson Lottery.
Blue Lottery: Students are placed in the Blue Lottery if they do not qualify for the Crimson or Yellow lotteries. This includes students who apply to KU after January 17 and complete their housing contract after February 13.

For the most current criteria and dates for all lottery groups, visit Apply for KU Housing.

Key Dates for Room Selection

May 8, 2026: Lottery Group Numbers Announced in the Housing Portal.
June 10: Special Interest Community Room Selection Begins
June 15-26: Room Selection

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

Resources and Links

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 housing application fee, 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, and 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) To increase your chances of securing a spot in a scholarship hall, submit your Scholarship Hall Application by this deadline. Applications received after this date will be reviewed later, depending on space availability.
April 1, 2026	Room Selection Checklist Available The Room Selection Checklist can be found in the students myKU portal and shows the current status of the student’s housing contract. It indicates whether the contract is complete or if additional steps are required to be eligible for room selection, including payment of the non‑refundable housing application fee and/or the Enrollment Deposit (paid or deferred). All required items must be completed by May 1. Contracts that remain incomplete after this deadline will be cancelled.
May 1, 2026	Deadline to Guarantee Housing Apply and Contract by 11:59 PM CST to guarantee housing. A complete application and contract include payment of the housing application fee and either the enrollment deposit or a deferral of the enrollment deposit. Transfer and international students are not required to pay an enrollment deposit.
May 4, 2026	Standby List 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 8, 2026	Group Numbers Announced Room selection lottery group numbers will be posted in the Housing Portal for students who completed the application and contracting deadlines. Each student is assigned a random group number that determines their date and time to choose a space.
June 15-26	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 be assigned a PIN number, available in the housing portal, that they can share with the person they would like to pair with. You will also need your roommates' preferred names, bed space choices, and dining plan selections. Students on the standby list cannot be matched as roommates. 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.