Returning Residents
Returning residents can apply for on-campus housing for the 2027–2028 academic year beginning in December. More information about the application process will be available soon.
Overview
Housing & Residence Life offers on-campus housing for returning residents and provides an Off-Campus Housing Marketplace for students exploring housing in Lawrence.
Returning residents can choose eligible apartment spaces in:
- Hawker Apartments
- Jayhawker Towers
- McCarthy Hall
- GSP Hall
- Eligible Special Interest Communities.
Apartment spaces are limited and offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
Standby List
Students interested in living on campus or who missed the contracting deadline can join the standby list. Placement on the standby list does not guarantee housing.
Key Dates for Returning Residents
| December 1, 2026 | Application Opens Current residents can log in to the Housing Portal to apply for on-campus housing for the upcoming academic year. Additional application information will be available soon. |
|---|---|
| December 2026 | Application Opens for Previous Residents. Previous residents who do not have a current housing contract and can access the Housing Portal to apply. |
| End of January 2027 | Application Deadline Complete the housing application by the published deadline to be eligible for on-campus housing. |
| January 25, 2027 | Standby List Available Students who missed the application deadline may join the standby list. 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. |
| January - February 2027 | Room Retention Selection Eligible residents may have the opportunity to retain their current room before general room selection begins. Each resident is responsible for retaining their own space. Roommate pull-ins will not be allowed during the room retention period. Students may only retain their current rooms if they live in eligible spaces within Jayhawker Towers, Hawker Apartments, and McCarthy Hall. If a student’s current space is not eligible for retention, they will need to participate in room selection to secure housing for next year. |
| February 2027 | Room Selection Group Numbers Announced Eligible students receive their room selection group number and information about when they can select their space.Those who retained a space will not receive a group number. |
| February 2027 | Room Selection Begins Those who retained space will have the option to pull in roommates as space allows, on a first-come basis, when room selection begins. During room selection, returning residents will be able to pull in multiple roommates as space allows. Students must have a group number to be eligible to be pulled in. |
| February 2027 | Room Selection will End Complete room selection by the published deadline to maintain eligibility for a housing assignment. |
| Optional Items | Special Interest Communities Medical Accommodations Request |
| Scholarship Hall Residents | Students interested in returning to a Scholarship Hall must complete the housing application and the required Scholarship Hall application by the published deadlines. Returning residents should follow the instructions provided for Scholarship Hall room selection. Additional offers and assignments may be made in the spring as spaces become available. Students who do not plan to return to a Scholarship Hall but still want to live on campus should contact KU Housing & Residence Life to discuss their options. |