First-Year Students

The First-Year Housing Application is now live! Use the link below to submit your application and get started with your on-campus housing experience.

Access the Housing Portal

First-Year Housing Timeline

New Room Selection Lottery Process

Room selection groups will be determined by monthly lotteries. Students must complete their housing application and contract and pay the $50 application fee (or receive an approved fee waiver) to qualify for that month’s lottery. The room selection times for each month's lottery are randomly assigned. Completing your housing contract and paying or deferring the Enrollment Deposit by May 1, 2027, ensures that you will receive a group number on May 6, 2027.

Example: If you apply in November and pay the $50 non-refundable application fee in November, you will be in the November lottery. However, if you apply in November but don't pay your application fee until January, you will be included in the January lottery. As long as the Enrollment Deposit is paid or deferred by May 1, 2027, the date paid does not affect the lottery group that you will be assigned to.

Resources

Key Dates for 2027-2028

November 5, 2026	Housing Application Opens. The 2027–2028 housing application and contract will open November 5, 2026, in the afternoon. Students will be assigned to monthly room selection lottery groups based on the month they complete their application, contract, and application fee payment (or receive an approved fee waiver). Admitted students can access the Housing Portal to complete their housing application and contract. Applicable fees and waiver information will be provided during the application process.
March 1, 2027	Scholarship Hall Priority Sign-Up (Optional). Students interested in scholarship hall living can submit a Scholarship Hall Application on the Housing Portal during the application process or return to complete after the contract has been submitted. Applying by the priority date may improve consideration for available spaces.
April 2027	Room Selection Checklist Available. Students can review their housing contract status in the Housing Portal and determine whether additional steps are needed to become eligible for room selection.
May 1, 2027	Housing Guarantee Deadline. Students must complete the required housing application and contract steps by 11:59 PM to guarantee housing.
May 3, 2027	Standby List Available. Eligible students who need housing after the initial application process may have the option to join the standby list. Joining the list does not constitute a housing contract or guarantee housing.
May 6, 2027	Room Selection Group #'s Announced. Eligible students can view their randomly assigned group numbers in the Housing Portal. Group numbers determine when students can participate in room selection.
Mid-May 2027	Special Interest Community Room Selection. Eligible students can review selection instructions and available spaces for participating communities.
May - June 2027	Room Selection by Group Numbers. Eligible students select their residence hall, room and bed space through the Housing Portal. Students are encouraged to consider backup options in case their preferred space is unavailable.
Optional Steps to Consider	Apply for a Special Interest Community Students interested in Honors, Engineering, ROTC, the Rainbow Community, or Gender Inclusive Assignment (GIA) options should review the eligibility requirements and application process. Connect with a Roommate & Form a Roommate Group Students who want to live with a specific roommate can review the roommate matching and roommate group process in the Housing Portal. Roommate groups are optional and subject to the room selection process. Instructions for selecting a roommate and forming a roommate group will be announced in April. Request Housing Accommodations Students seeking medical accommodations should submit a request through the Student Access Center and review KU Housing & Residence Life's accommodation information. Early submissions are encouraged to allow time for review.