The Undergraduate Continuing Student Housing Application and Housing Selection process is designed to support rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors as they apply and select Residential Life managed housing. It is important that all students familiarize themselves with the application, grouping, and selection portions of the process to be successful in securing housing for the next academic year.
Review the terms and conditions for your housing contract:
Eligibility to Apply
Housing Eligibility for the 2023-2024 academic year is as follows: Students who lived with Residential Life in the Fall 2022 and Spring 2023.
- If you studied abroad in either the Fall or Spring semester and chose to live with Residential Life during the semester you were in the United States, you are still eligible. Please reach out to our office if you are unable to see the application on the Housing Portal when it opens.
If you choose to not live in Residential Life housing during the upcoming academic year, you will not be eligible to participate in future Returning Student Housing Application processes and would only be eligible to secure Residential Life Housing utilizing the Housing Application Waitlist.
Contact the office: As you seek more information about housing selection this year, we highly recommend reviewing our FAQ at the bottom of this page. If your questions can’t be answered via our website, please email us at reslife@wustl.edu.
Housing Selection Important Dates
The below timeline applies to the 2023 – 2024 academic year.
Wednesday, February 1, 2023 | Housing Application Opens | Available via WashU Housing Portal for eligible students |
Sunday, February 5, 2023 | Living Learning Community (LLC) Application Closes | This is a separate application process from the Housing Application |
Friday, February 10, 2023 | Housing Application Closes | |
Wednesday, March 1, 2023 | Grouping Process Opens | Available via WashU Housing Portal for students who completed their application before the deadline |
Friday, March 10, 2023 | Grouping Process Ends | Complete your group by 11:59 p.m. |
Friday, March 17, 2023 | Timeslots sent out for On-Campus Suite Selection | |
Monday, March 20 – 23, 2023 | On-Campus Suite Selection | |
Thursday, March 23, 2023 | Timeslots sent out for On and Off-Campus Apartment Selection | |
Monday, March 27 – 30, 2023 | On and Off-Campus Apartment Selection | |
Friday, March 31, 2023 | Housing Cancellation Deadline | Without Penalty – See Cancellation Policy within Terms and Conditions |
Process Steps and Information
Apply.
Complete the Application on the Housing Portal
Complete you Housing Application on the Housing Portal prior to the deadline listed at the top of this page. To complete the Housing Application, please follow these steps:
- Log into the Housing Portal via your WebSTAC account.
- Click on Applications from the menu options.
- Select Fall and Spring application from the drop down menu.
- Select the application for the upcoming academic year.
- Complete the application information (housing agreement, lifestyle preferences, etc.)
You will need to log into the Housing Portal via your WebSTAC account in order to access the Housing Application.
Eligibility to Apply
Housing Eligibility for the 2023-2024 academic year is as follows: Students who lived with Residential Life in the Fall 2022 and Spring 2023.
- If you studied abroad in either the Fall or Spring semester and chose to live with Residential Life during the semester you were in the United States, you are still eligible. Please reach out to our office if you are unable to see the application on the Housing Portal when it opens.
Study Abroad Information
- If you plan to study abroad in the Spring Semester, you will participate in the current selection process to secure Fall semester housing.
- If you plan to study abroad in the Fall Semester, do not submit an application for this current cycle. We will re-open the housing application in late Fall for Spring housing consideration. There will be no penalty for canceling your housing agreement due to studying abroad.
If you are not eligible, you are able to fill out the Housing Application Waitlist. If space is open after the Housing Application and Selection Process for Continuing Students, we will work through the wait list on a first-come first-served basis.
If you have questions about your eligibility or are not able to submit a housing application through the WashU Housing Portal, please contact our office by email at reslife@wustl.edu.
Apply to a Living Learning Community by February 5th
Living Learning Communities (LLC) are specialized living environments that connect students inside- and outside-the-classroom experiences on the agreed upon topic of their choice. The Living Learning Community is experienced through programs and activities planned by the participants of the LLC in collaboration with their faculty advisors and Staff advisors. This experience is Residential Life’s opportunity to continue to provide intentional support and programming more tailored to the student and their interest.
Students can apply to be a part of one of our two established LLCs – Hamsini or Sakeenah – or they can Design Your Own (DYO). Learn more about Living Learning Communities and the application process, and apply by February 5th.
Chapter Facility Housing (also known as Fraternity Housing)
Residential Life and the University owns and operates nine University facilities that fraternities have been granted the privilege of occupying located near the Athletic Complex and the Village Green on the Danforth Campus.
Students who are interested in Chapter Facilities must complete the Residential Life housing application. Then, you must connect with your chapter House Managers for next steps. Each Chapter Facility operates their housing selection phase independently from the Residential Life Selection Phase.
Note: You will have the option to disclose and are encouraged to do so on your housing application that you are a member of a Fraternity on campus. If you wish to live in Chapter Facility Housing as a fraternity member, your process will be facilitated by you and your fraternity members prior to the grouping process. More information can be found here: Sorority and Fraternity Life website.
Cancellation Policy
For an in-depth understanding of the Cancellation Policy, please review the Terms and Conditions within the Housing Agreement linked at the top of this page. For the 2023 – 2024 Returning Student Housing Application, students can cancel at no penalty anytime on or before March 31, 2023.
Group.
Complete your Group on the Housing Portal
Complete your Group on the Housing Portal prior to the deadline listed at the top of this page. To complete your Group, please follow these steps:
- Identify a group leader within your planned group.
- Once identified, the group leader will do the follow:
- Log into the Housing Portal via your WebSTAC account.
- Click on Applications from the menu options.
- Select Fall and Spring application from the drop down menu.
- Select the application for the upcoming academic year.
- Create a group within the housing application. This will include a group name and password.
- During group creation, the group creator will indicate if the group is being made for the On-Campus Suite Selection Process or the On and Off-Campus Apartment Selection Process. More information about what types of housing are available in each of these processes is listed below.
- After group creation, anticipated group members must do the following to add themselves to the group:
- Log into the Housing Portal via your WebSTAC account.
- Click on Applications from the menu options.
- Select Fall and Spring application from the drop down menu.
- Select the application for the upcoming academic year.
- Add yourself to the group using the group name and password set by your group leader.
- After group creation, group leaders can also add group members.
Students can group with any student who is eligible for the current year’s housing selection process AND has submitted their housing application prior to the deadline. However, we recommend forming your group with individuals that share your class year.
There are no gender restrictions placed on the forming of groups.
Groups who receive a timeslot will be able to select from all available housing options for their group size within their chosen process during their timeslot. For example, if your group has two members, you will only see two person units. You will not see any units larger or smaller than two person units.
Roommate Mixers
Find potential roommates to group with through our Roommate Mixer events. We are here to help you all get to know one another and answer any questions you may have!
We also have the Roommate Finder feature via your WashU Housing Portal. Attend our roommate mixers for support on how to use the Roommate Finder to complete your group.
Roommate Mixer Schedule
Tuesday, February 21, 2023 | Risa Commons | 7 p.m. |
Wednesday, March 1, 2023 | DUC 233 | 7 p.m. |
Sunday, March 5, 2023 | Lopata Multi-Purpose Room | 1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. |
On-Campus Suite Selection Process
Those participating in the On-Campus Suite process should be aware of the following information:
- The On-Campus Suite process gives sophomores priority. Typically, juniors and seniors do not participate in this process.
- Students are highly encouraged to form groups of 4.
- There are very limited 6 person, 3 person, and 2 person options.
- There are no 1 person options available in the On-Campus Suite selection process.
Look below for the majority of housing options available to students who are in the On-Campus Suite Selection Process:
- S40 Modern Single Suite (4 person; 4 single bedrooms)
- Village & Lopata Modern Single Suite (4 person; 4 single bedrooms)
- S40 Traditional Suite (6 person suite; each suite includes 2 double bedrooms and 2 single bedrooms; common room; one bathroom)
- S40 Modern Double (2 person; double bedroom; shared bathroom)
On and Off-Campus Apartment Selection Process
Those participating in the On and Off-Campus Apartment Process should be aware of the following information:
- The On and Off-Campus Apartment Process gives priority based on class year. Seniors are given the highest level of priority, then juniors, then sophomores.
- Students are highly encouraged to form groups of 3. Other group size options are limited.
Look below for the majority of housing options available students who are in the On and Off-Campus Apartment Selection Process:
- 520 Kingsland, 6665/6678 Wash Ave (3 person; single bedrooms)
- Greenway Apartments (3 person, 2 person, and 1 person; single bedrooms)
- University Drive (3 person, 2 person; single bedrooms)
- The Lofts (3 person, 2 person, and 1 person; single bedrooms)
- Rosedale (3 person, 2 person, 1 person; single bedrooms)
- Village East (4 person, 3 person; single bedrooms; each type is limited)
- Millbrook Apartments (3 person, 4 person, 5 person, 6 person, 7 person, and 8 person apartments available; all 4 person and most 5 person apartments include at least one double bedroom; each type is limited)
Mixing Class Standing within Your Group
We know there are students who wish to group with a mix of class years.
Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors can group with any class level or gender of their choosing. Groups with mixed class will impact the priority level of your group. As a reminder,
- Sophomores are given priority in the On-Campus Suite process.
- Seniors are given priority in the On and Off-Campus Apartment process.
- Groups will be prioritized in the On and Off-Campus Apartment process in the following order:
- All seniors
- Seniors and juniors
- All Juniors
- Any group that includes a sophomore
- Groups will be prioritized in the On and Off-Campus Apartment process in the following order:
Forming a Group of One
Individuals who wish to participate in the process as an individual are able to form a group of one. Students who receive a timeslot will be able to make their selection during the selection period. A group of one will only see one bedroom or studio options, which are extremely limited.
If you choose not to form a group, you will be added to the administrative assignments process following the close of the selection period. To be clear, failure to form a group will automatically move you into the administrative assignments process. So, individuals wanting to single suite or studio apartment should form a group of one to be considered for those options.
Select.
Timeslots
A timeslot is the date and time at which the group leader is able to select a Residential Life unit/room for their group.
- For example, if your timeslot is March 30, 2021 at 10 a.m., your group leader is able to log onto the WashU Housing Portal to select housing and assign group members to bed spaces at or after the time slot. If there are doubles within your unit, your group leader will place each individual. Be sure to have conversations and agree upon which individuals will be in which rooms with your group prior to your timeslot.
Groups who receive a timeslot will be able to select from all available housing options for their group size within their chosen process during their timeslot. For example, if your group has two members, you will only see two person units. You will not see any units larger or smaller than two person units.
- If you are in the On-Campus Suites process, you will not see any apartment options, regardless of group size.
- If you are in the On and Off-Campus Apartment process, you will not see on-campus suites as an option, regardless of group size.
Timeslot notifications will be sent out to students by the dates listed in the Housing Selection Dates section. Please note that not all notifications will be sent out on one day. Some groups may receive their timeslot before the deadline. All groups will receive their timeslots by the times and dates listed above.
There are a certain number of spaces available among each room type. If the number of groups interested in a particular room type exceeds what is available, you may not receive a timeslot. All groups who do not receive a timeslot will be notified. You may be asked to regroup. If you are not asked to regroup, you will be moved to the administrative assignments process.
As a note, you are able to cancel your housing contract at no penalty anytime prior to the first cancellation deadline. Our Cancellation Policy is detailed within our terms and conditions.
Complete your Unit/Room Selection on the Housing Portal
Complete your Unit/Room Selection on the Housing Portal on or after your timeslot. To do so, please have your group leader follow these steps:
- Log into the Housing Portal via your WebSTAC account.
- Click on Applications from the menu options.
- Select Fall and Spring application from the drop down menu.
- Select the application for the upcoming academic year.
- Follow the prompts and select from any available unit and assign the individuals in your groups to each bed space.
Housing Accommodations
Housing Accommodations are determined by the Disability Resource Office. Approved accommodations are then implemented by Residential Life. Note, your housing placement will be assigned to fit the needs of your approved housing accommodation from Disability Resources.
Deadline for 2023-2024 Returning Housing Application Housing Accommodations approval: February 15, 2023
Students will receive notification of the Housing Accommodation from the Disability Resources Office decision through their WUSTL email, typically 2-6 weeks after submitting their request. Late requests will be placed on a space available as is.
- Students must still complete the Room & Board Application through their WashU Housing Portal to be considered for a placement in housing, even if they have already been approved for a housing accommodation.
- Being approved for a housing accommodation does not guarantee that you will be placed in your first-choice residential hall or with your preferred friends. Disability Resources makes determinations regarding functional accommodations in housing. Their office is not involved in the process of assigning a student’s specific room or specific roommates/suitemates. This process is managed by Residential Life and students will be notified of their specific room assignment separately.
- Students with an approved accommodation can have no more than 3 roommates. However, they can also apply as an individual. This does not guarantee a single room placement.
- Students who submit requests or appeals after the posted deadline may need to be placed as an individual, instead of with chosen roommates. Additionally, students who submit requests or appeals after the posted deadline may be placed on a waiting list for the next available room that meets their accommodation.
For questions to Disability Resources, please contact their office at 314-935-5970 or by email. They are located on the ground floor of Gregg House on the South 40. Their office hours are Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Students Not Currently Connected with Disability Resources: Students who are not currently connected to Disability Resources and are requesting accommodations for the first time due to a documented disability should follow the below steps.
- Submit the Public Accommodation Request Form: Students who are not already registered with Disability Resources should submit the New Student Application form and upload their documentation of disability with this form (see documentation guidelines below). If you do not have access to your documentation at the time that you submit the form we can also accept documentation through mail, email, or fax. However, if you choose to submit documentation through one of these alternate means, please keep in mind that your request will not be considered complete until Disability Resources receives both your submission and documentation.
- Acquire disability documentation and submit directly to Disability Resources via application, fax, email, or in-person drop-off: In general, all requests for housing accommodations must include documentation prepared by a qualified evaluator that includes following:
- Statement of Diagnosis: If student possesses multiple diagnoses that impact their daily life functions and may present the need for housing accommodations, providers should include that information.
- Procedures/Assessments: List any procedures/assessment used to confirm the diagnosis of the student’s condition.
- Severity and/or expected progression of Condition: Details regarding severity and progression (specific to student, not generalities); which symptoms rise to the level of disability.
- Functional Impact/Symptoms: How does the condition (and/current treatment) impact the student’s ability to learn or meet the demands of the university setting? Functional impact (specific to student/patient) allows our office to identify and analyze specific situations/environments that may present barriers for students.
- Current medications and any related side-effects: Side-effects of medication, if any, alerts our office to discuss accommodations related to class schedules, physical environments, and other accommodations that may assist in alleviating barriers.
Students Currently Connected to Disability Resources: Students connected with Disability Resources that have an active profile and do not currently have housing accommodations will complete an “Accommodation Plan Modification Request” form within their Access WashU portal. If assistance is needed with the process, students should reach out directly to Disability Resources.
Student Requesting a Renewal of Housing Accommodations: Students who currently have housing accommodations and are seeking to renew their accommodations should reach out to Disability Resources via email disabilityresources@wustl.edu to communicate their intention of remaining/residing in University owned housing for the upcoming academic year.
Please note: Regardless of eligibility for housing accommodations, students must follow all University Residential Life housing processes and procedures to secure campus-owned housing. Housing spaces are limited and assigned on a first come, first served basis. Neither the presence of a disability nor eligibility for a housing accommodation guarantees campus-owned housing, a specific location, or roommate.
- For dietary restrictions > No. Dining services works to support students with special dietary needs, this includes those with medically restricted diets and those with food allergies and intolerances. Dining Services is generally able to meet the needs of students requesting specialized meal plans so all students with special dietary needs are encouraged to work with dining services to make dining on campus enjoyable and safe. The process for requesting dietary accommodations is outlined on the Dining Services website.
- For transportation and Proximity to Academic Buildings > No. All on-campus residential buildings are considered to be within close proximity to academic buildings and other campus facilities. Students whose disabilities may limit their ability to walk and/or carry a heavy backpack for long distances are encouraged to utilize the Campus Circulator and/or Medical Escort Service when traveling across campus. More information about these options can be found on the Parking and Transportation Services website.
- For Environmental Allergens > No. The university has conducted tests of environmental allergen levels throughout the Residential Life buildings. The results of these tests found that there is not a significant difference in allergen level between the various building types. To reduce exposure to environmental allergens, students are encouraged to follow the guidelines of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology by brining allergen-proof fabric covers for bedding, a dehumidifier, and/or HEPA filter air purifier for use in their residence hall rooms.
- For distraction-Reduced Study Space > No. By nature, residential housing is not a distraction-reduced environment. Students are encouraged to explore the many study spaces throughout campus to find a quiet study location and are welcome to contact Disability Resources for recommendations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Our information sessions provide an opportunity for students and parents to ask questions about the Housing Selection process. Please see recordings of previous information sessions below to help answer your questions.
Information Session
Wednesday, Dec 14, 2022 | Recording | 5:30 p.m. |
What is the WashU Housing Portal?
The WashU Housing Portal is the online portal where all aspects of housing selection take place. Students will need to access the WashU Housing Portal to submit the housing application, sign the housing agreement, pick a meal plan, form groups, and select a room. You can access the WashU Housing Portal through your WebSTAC account.
What is the best browser to use for the WashU Housing Portal?
The WashU Housing Portal is available on all browsers. However, we recommend using Google Chrome.
What do I do if I need housing accommodations?
You will need to reach out to Disability Resources and follow the housing accommodations process. Please see the housing accommodations information above in detail.
Where do Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors typically live?
Sophomore students typically live in on-campus suites on the South 40 and on the Northside of campus. Juniors and Seniors typically live in on-campus and off-campus apartments managed by Residential Life.
Why can’t I apply for housing?
- If you are unable to apply but feel you meet the eligibility requirements listed above, please contact our office at (314) 935-5050.
- If you missed the housing application deadline, you can submit your name to our housing waitlist.
I’m not eligible to go through the selection process, but I was planning to live with friends who are. Can I complete the application to go through the selection process with them?
You are not able to complete a Housing Application if you are not eligible. This means you would not be able to participate in the selection process. However:
- You can add your name to the Housing Waitlist as an individual for an opportunity to be offered Residential Life Housing. It is unlikely that you would placed with your desired roommates/group.
- Your group, including your friends, can consider living together in non-Residential Life housing. Resources for looking for non-Residential Life housing are listed at the bottom of this page.
What is the housing agreement?
The housing agreement is a legal and binding agreement that all residents sign when they apply for housing. Once this document is electronically signed, you are committed to campus housing for a full academic year (fall and spring) and it designates your financial responsibility for room and board costs.
When do I sign a housing agreement?
When applying for housing you will have the opportunity to review the terms and conditions and electronically sign your housing agreement. In order for the application to be active, the agreement will need to be signed by the application deadline. You have the opportunity to print the agreement or to view at any time through the WashU Housing Portal.
Can I cancel my application without penalty?
If you apply for housing but decide you no longer want to live with Residential Life, you may retract your application, without penalty, prior to the date listed in the Terms and Conditions/Housing Agreement. You can retract your application by using the Housing Cancellation Request Form on the WashU Housing Portal.
What if I want to cancel my application after the cancellation deadline?
Please see the Room Cancellation Policy within the terms and conditions for full information.
What if I am abroad during housing selection in the Spring?
If you are currently studying abroad this Spring semester and need to secure housing for the Fall semester, you will participate in the current selection process to secure Fall semester housing.
What if I plan to study abroad?
If you plan to study abroad in the Fall Semester, do not submit an application. We will re-open the housing application in late Fall for Spring housing consideration. There will be no penalty for canceling your housing agreement due to studying abroad.
What should I do if my preferred roommate will be abroad for the Fall?
We do not hold rooms for students returning in the Spring Semester. Spring Housing Applications will re-open in late fall. At that time, study abroad students returning in the spring can indicate their desired placement on their application. However, this does not guarantee a specific housing placement.
What if I have an internship or COOP?
Students who have an internship or COOP in the Spring Semester will need to provide documentation to the Office of Residential Life in order to be released without penalty. These students may choose to live with us in the Spring as long as they are still undergraduates pursuing their degree.
What if I am graduating in December?
Students graduating in December will be released from their agreement upon verification of their degree. Students should submit a Housing Cancellation Request form through the WashU Housing Portal. Students graduating in December cannot continue to live with Residential Life past the end date of the Fall Contract. December graduates are no longer eligible for Winter Housing. Exceptions will no longer be granted.
How do I form a group?
On the WashU Housing Portal application, you have the ability to request students to live with. Your roommates must accept your request in order to be verified.
Can I live with someone of a different gender?
Group formation is not single gender. Students can form a group with whomever they wish, regardless of varying genders.
What do I do if I don’t have people to form a group with?
Those who submit a housing application, but do not have a group will be administratively assigned. Individuals can also form a group of one to be considered for 1 person suites or studio apartments.
Our group will have a combination of sophomores and upperclassmen (juniors or seniors). Where will we fall in the selection process?
As a mixed-class group, your group would have the lowest level of priority when receiving a time slot (if available). This would be true if you went through the on-campus process, where all-sophomore groups have highest priority, and also through the on- and off-campus process, where seniors and juniors have priority before sophomores.
What is a time slot?
The time slot is a random computer-generated time when your group will be able to login and select a room assignment.
How are time slots assigned?
Time slots are randomly generated and randomly assigned to groups within their respective priority level.
How many groups are assigned to each time slot?
The number of groups assigned to each time slot will vary based on process. The number depends on how many groups apply for housing. Since each selection process occurs over four days, this will ensure students are able to access the system at their assigned date and time.
How frequent are time slots?
Students will have approximately 10 minutes to select their rooms before the next time slot opens.
What if I have class during my time slot?
The group leader is the individual who selects for their entire group. If you are the group leader but will not be available at the start of your time slot you are able assign another member to be the group leader within the Application on the Housing Portal.
What if I don’t/can’t select a room?
If you received a timeslot, you will be able to select a housing option from those available to your group size during your timeslot.
If you elect not to make a selection or you do not receive a timeslot, you will be administratively assigned. We will make every effort to keep your group together. You will not be offered another time to self-select.
What is the Administrative Assignment process?
The students who do not make a selection during their timeslot or who do not receive a timeslot go through the administrative assignment process. Administrative assignments is when the Office of Residential Life manually assigns you and/or your group a Residential Life space. We make every effort to adhere to group preferences and to keep groups together.
Individuals or groups may not receive an assignment until the summer as our office will wait for preferred spaces to open up due to cancellations.
Non-Residential Life Housing Options
-
- Quadrangle Housing
- 314-935-9511
- quadrangle.wustl.edu
- Apartment Referral Service
- 314-935-5092
- ars.wustl.edu
- WashU Coop
- Quadrangle Housing