Apply for Housing: First-Year Students
NOTE: A $150 non-refundable fee is required to start the application. Please take this into consideration prior to starting your application.
2025-2026 Housing Application Process
All first-year students are required to live on campus unless they are commuting from their primary guardian's permanent address within a 50-mile radius of campus.
Students who participate in dual-enrollment programs or ECA while in high school are considered first-year students.
The application will reopen for new and late applicants on Tuesday, July 8, at 10 am, and will fully close again in order to prepare for fall opening on Friday, August 8, at 12 pm.
Depending on availability, we may or may be able to accept further applications after Friday, August 8, at 12 pm. We will post more information to this webpage after August 8 regarding this matter.
Only students who applied before the June 15 deadline and did not reserve housing will be able to access the application during the lottery period explained below.
For students who applied before the June 15 deadline, paid the application fee, but didn't reserve their housing:
If you apply before the June 15 deadline and do not reserve a space, you will be assigned a random lottery time for June 18 or 19. At your lottery date and time, you have access to the housing application.
At your lottery time, you need to log into the housing portal, reopen your 25/26 application, pick your housing and meal plans, and complete the remaining pages of the application before the deadline.
Once your reach the room selection pages within the application, this is where you will pick your housing.
Please note the following:
- You do NOT have the ability to form a group or request to live with specific students after the June 15 deadline.
- If you have someone you are trying to live with, you need to work with them to secure housing together.
- You should not rush and book a space without looking at the students already assigned into the space.
- You can learn about suite details by clicking on the "Show Room Info" link within the process.
- You can then learn about the individual students in the space by clicking on "View Profile".
- You need to review the remaining open spaces, reserve a space for yourself, and complete the remaining pages of the application no later than June 20 at 11:55 pm. The application process will close to all students at that time.
- Once you reserve your space, you do not have the ability to change it.
What help is available to students during the lottery? Expand dropdownHousing staff hosts open Zoom help sessions during the posted lottery hours each day. Zoom help links are embedded within the housing application on the room selection pages. Students who would like help with their housing assignment can enter the Zoom session and staff will assist them with making their housing assignment.
Please note the following:
- Zoom help sessions are only available to those in the room selection process.
- Students do not have access to the links before their lottery time or after they book a room.
- Any student who has a Letter of Accommodation from the DRC with a housing accomodation that requires specialized housing should use the Zoom session for assignment assistance.
- Students who need assistance with gender-inclusive housing should use the Zoom session for assignment assistance.
When will I get information about my lottery time? Expand dropdownLottery emails were sent to a student's EMU email account on Monday, June 16. All official emails from housing (and EMU) are sent the @emich.edu account, so please check this frequently.
If you feel you should have been assigned a lottery date and time and do not get a lottery email by this date and time, please email us at: [email protected]
In this email, include your name and E number and put "No Lottery Time Assigned" in as your subject line. We will review your account and respond prompty on Tuesday.
I missed my lottery time! Now what? Expand dropdownIf you are not able to log in at your lottery time, the application process remains open to you from your lottery time up until Friday, June 20, at 11:55 pm. You must log in and complete your application before this deadline.
If you miss the June 20 at 11:55 pm deadline, you no longer have priority to pick your space. You will have to wait until the application reopens on July 8 to log in and pick your space and complete your application.
Housing will not make an assignment on your behalf - you are required to log in once the application reopends in July to secure your own housing.
Students are also sent additional lottery reminder emails during the lottery if their lottery times are missed.
Application Overview
Please read through all of the information in the tabs below for a step-by-step explanation of the application process. It is extremely important that all students take the time to read through this information before starting the application process.
$150 Application Fee Expand dropdownAll students, regardless of scholarship/financial aid status, are required to submit a non-refundable $150 fee at the start of the housing application.
Since the $150 is a fee, students should be aware that this fee is not a deposit or prepayment, and the fee is not applied to your student account in any way.
This fee cannot be waived or charged to the student account.
The housing application accepts credit cards and debit cards that work without PINs. The system will not accept debit-only cards (PIN required for use) or prepaid cards.
The application fee must be paid via the housing application. Student cannot mail in fee payment or pay the fee in-person.
Housing & Dining Contract Expand dropdownFor Students Aged 18 or Older:
Students who are 18 years of age or older will complete an electronic version of the Housing & Dining Contract directly within the application process. No additional signatures are required beyond the student’s own acknowledgment.
For Students Under 18:
Students who have not yet reached the age of 18 at the time of application are required to have a parent or legal guardian co-sign the Housing & Dining Contract before they can proceed with the application process. The application will prompt students to provide their legal guardian's contact information and automatically email a blank co-sign contract to both the student and the guardian.
Review and Accountability:
Students and their legal guardians are expected to review the contract together thoroughly. Legal guardians should ensure their student understands the terms and conditions of the contract, as students will be held accountable for complying with these terms. For any questions or clarifications, please contact us at [email protected] before signing and submitting this legally binding document.
Uploading the Co-Signed Contract:
After both the student and legal guardian have signed the co-sign contract, the student must scan the completed document as a PDF and upload it to the application portal. Detailed instructions for scanning and uploading the co-signed contract are provided on the relevant pages of the application process.
Approval Process of Co-Signed Contract:
After uploading or sending your co-signed contract to [email protected], make sure the "review my contract" box is checked on the up-load page. When you check this box, it notifies staff to review your contract. Not checking that box will result in delayed processing.
Upong staff review, students will get an email from Housing regarding the status of their contract: Approved or Not Approved. Your email will explain the next steps in the process, or explain what is needed to approve your contract.
PLEASE BE ADVISED IT MAY TAKE UP TO FIVE (5) BUSINESS DAYS FOR YOUR SUBMITTED CONTRACT TO BE REVIEWED. Please keep an eye on your email for updates.
Roommate Matching Questions Expand dropdownThe application includes questions for roommate/suite-mate matching.
We strongly recommend that students answer these questions honestly and personally to ensure the best possible match.
Avoid allowing anyone else to fill out these answers on your behalf, as they reflect your preferences and habits.
Personal Description Expand dropdownAll students are required to write a short personal description, even if they already have a preferred roommate. This description helps other students, including potential suite-mates, learn more about you.
Students who include their social media handles in their descriptions often find it easier to connect and communicate with potential roommates.
Your description can be up to 500 characters, including spaces. To make the process easier, we recommend drafting your description in a word processing document to track your character count. Once finalized, you can copy and paste it into the text box.
Suggestions for what to include:
- Your likes and dislikes
- Interests and hobbies
- Any other details that are important for potential roommates to know about you
Find A Roommate Expand dropdownAvailable until June 15. After June 15, students no longer have access to this feature and lose the ability to request a roommate.
Use the matching filters in the housing application to identify suitable candidates. You can reach out to them using the internal messaging system or by connecting with them through their provided social media accounts (if applicable).
NOTE: First-Year student cannot request suite-mates.
Form a Group of Two Expand dropdownAvailable until June 15. After June 15, students no longer have access to this feature and lose the ability to form a group.
Students who form and verify their group of two to proceed immediately into room selection.
Once a student has determined who they want to live with, both students need to discuss where they want to live and who will be responsible for picking the room. The person who will pick the room and book both students into bed spaces is called the Group Leader.
The Group Leader is the individual who must create the group within the housing application, invite the other student to the group, and verify the group once the second student accepts.
Only students who are in a verified group of two will be able to pick their rooms prior to June 15. Students who are unable to form a group of two (but apply and submit the application fee before the June 15 deadline) will have the opportunity to pick their personal space during our lottery room selection June 18, 19, 20.
Directions on how to form a group of two are posted in the housing application on the Form A Group of Two page. You can also download a PDF copy of the directions with screen shots from the same page.
NOTE: First-Year student cannot request suite-mates.
Reserve Your Room Expand dropdownThe Group Leader is responsible for assigning themselves and the other member of their group. We highly recommend that students talk with their group member about where they want to live well in advance, and have back-up options in case those areas are sold out.
If you are NOT the group leader, it is extremely important that you do not advance in the application before the Group Leader makes your assignment. This will cause errors in your application and your assignment.
Once the group leader reserves spaces for both students, all members must log into the housing application and complete all of the remaining pages of the application until they reach the Assignment Summary & Information page.
Pick Your Swipe Meal Plan Expand dropdownSwipe meal plans are REQUIRED for all first-year students. Swipe meal plans are the primary way students pay for food and beverages on campus. All plans include a set "swipe" allowance for students to gain entrance into the Commons or to purchase a set meal exchange in other locations. All plans also come with a set number of Flex Dollars, which student can use for smaller purchases or for extra items.
First-year residents pick from the following meal plan options:
- Anytime @ the Commons
- 3 Per Day
- 2 Per Day
For all three of the plans above, students can elect to purchase more Flex when selecting their meal plan within the housing application.
Review Assignment Information Expand dropdownThe Assignment Summary & Information page is the final page of the housing application that students can access at this time. This page serves as your confirmation that you have completed your housing application.
This page displays your selected meal plan and room reservation details.
Please note that you will not receive an email or any other notification confirming your housing assignment. Why? Housing reserves the right to consolidate students or modify assignments at any time. Any changes will be reflected in real-time on this page.
What housing types are available to first-year students?
First year students are eligible to reside Double Rooms in Walton, Putnam, Phelps, Sellers, Wise, and Downing. First-year students are not eligible for single rooms during their first year on campus (for the duration of the 2025-2026 year).
First year students that require a single room for medical reasons must work with the Disability Resource Center as early as possible in order to be granted approval for this room type.
The majority of our first-year spaces are double room suites. A suite consists of two rooms, connected by a bathroom or other living space.
A double is a room that you will share with a roommate, and share common spaces like a bathroom, with another set of two students. This means that four students are assigned to each double suite - two students per room. Please see the residence hall options for floor plans and what comes in each space.
Wise Hall is the only residence hall that is a little different. All rooms in Wise are double rooms. Students do not have suite-mates in Wise due to the community bathroom. Students who select Wise will share the bedroom with another student, and share the community bathroom with the floor. Please see the Wise Hall page for floor plan information and what comes in the space.
What housing is available for selection for Fall 2025?
Availability by residence hall as of June 17:
- Putnam: Very limited beds available.
- Phelps: Many beds available.
- Sellers: Many beds available.
- Wise: Many beds available.
- Downing: Very limited limited Honors spaces.
Walton is sold out, except for spaces in our SPECTRUM community.
Non-Honors spaces in Downing are sold out.
I am in TRIO or the College Supports Program (CSP). Is there anything I need to do?
Living in designated TRIO or College Supports Program (CSP) spaces require that you apply for those programs and be accepted into them in order to be assigned housing in those areas.
If you plan on being in any of these programs, Housing recommends that you apply and submit your application fee as soon as possible, and then communicate this to your program.
If you plan to reside in the TRIO program area in Wise Hall, DO NOT search for roommates or create a roommate group of two.
Please complete all pages of the application through the personal description. At that point, log out and let your program know that you have applied for housing. Housing will reach back out to you to complete the application once your program makes your assignment.
I am a Division I Student-Athlete. Is there anything I need to do?
Student-athletes need to apply, submit their application fee and complete all pages of the application through the personal description.
At that point, log out and let your coach know that you have applied for housing. DO NOT search for roommates or create a roommate group of two.
Athletics makes your assignments over the summer, and then communicates this to housing. Once housing has been given an assignment for you, we'll let you know via email and provide further directions for completing your application.
I have an approved housing accommodation - what should I do?
If you have been approved for a housing accommodation (such as a single-in-suite) through EMU's DRC, you must work directly with Housing regarding your assignment.First-year students are prompted to "Form a Group of Two" in the application process. Students seeking a single accommodation should stop at this point and not proceed further in the process. Do not look for a roommate, or form a group with anyone.Once an LOA is issued, Housing will reach out to the student via email to discuss housing options. The student needs to reply to that email. Housing will then make an assignment for the student, and reply with directions on how to complete their housing application.
Policy Statements Expand dropdownAll RESIDENTs living in our Residence Halls or Apartments must be prepared to live in bedrooms/suites and occupy other shared housing spaces with students who have emotional support animals (ESAs), service animals, or other housing-related accommodations.
Students with approved ESAs and service animals can be assigned anywhere on campus and at any time. Housing does not give notice regarding this matter.
Students and RESIDENTs do not have the option to opt-out or refuse a roommate/suitemate who has an approved emotional support animal(s) (ESAs), service animals, or other housing-related accommodations.
If a student/resident is assigned a roommate/suitemate with an ESA, service animal, or other housing-related accommodation and the student/resident has an issue, the student/resident is welcome to request a change and enter the room change process (pending availability). The student/resident with the approved accommodation will not be asked to move.
If students/residents assigned to a space have competing or contradictory accommodations, the first accommodation on file with Housing will take precedence in and over the space. Any accommodation(s) on file after the first for the assigned space will not be honored in the space and impacted students, regardless of having an accommodation, will be required to move to another location where their accommodation can be honored.
If THE RESIDENT tries to decline a roommate and/or suitemate with an approved ESA, service animal, or other housing-related accommodation or creates an unwelcoming environment to try to avoid getting a roommate and/or suitemate with an approved ESA, service animal, or other housing-related accommodation, the RESIDENT will be sent through the student conduct process, may face additional fees, and Housing reserves the right to reassign the non-compliant RESIDENT to another space on campus at Housing’s discretion.
If a student/resident has a severe phobia/allergy to animals commonly used as ESAs or service animals, they must register and be approved for accommodation through the Disability Resource Center to avoid being assigned to a space with approved ESAs or service animals.
Meal Plan Policies Expand dropdownA meal plan is required for all students living in the residence halls (Walton, Putnam, Phelps, Sellers, Wise, and Downing).
All first-year students/residents are required to purchase a meal plan through the housing application, regardless of where they live.
Upper-class students/residents who live in any of our residence halls (Walton, Putnam, Phelps, Sellers, Wise, and Downing) are required to purchase a meal plan via the housing application.
Upper-class students/residents who live in the Village or any of our apartment options (Lakeview, Westview, Cornell, or 601 WF) are not required to purchase a meal plan.
To change a meal plan, the student can e-mail a request to [email protected]. This email must come from the student and include the student's E number and what change they would like to make.
Requests to change the swipe meal plans will be accepted through September 15 for the Fall semester and January 15 for the Winter semester. After this deadline, no requests to change the meal plan will be honored, no matter what class level the student is or where they reside.
Changes and cancelations of all VOLUNTARY FLEX PLANS work differently:
Any Flex Dollar amount you select to purchase through the housing application is voluntary and you can change or fully cancel additional flex dollars purchased through the housing application up until August 20, 2025.
As of the Housing & Dining Contract start date (Thursday, 8/21), you can only change or fully cancel your voluntary flex if you have not used ANY of the flex dollars or additional bonus dollars associated with the purchase.
If you have used any of your voluntary flex dollars, we cannot make any changes to your selection or cancel your flex.Meal Plan Options Expand dropdownYou are required to select a mandatory meal plan (also called a swipe plan) through the housing application. After you reserve a space in the housing application, you will be prompted to select a plan.
Swipe Plan options you can pick from include:
- Anytime at the Commons, which includes $200 Flex Dollars
- 3 Per Day, which includes $200 Flex Dollars
- 2 Per Day, which includes $200 Flex Dollars
After you select which swipe plan you want from the above options, you have the opportunity to purchase more Flex Dollars via the housing application if needed.
Where can I find my meal plan info? Expand dropdownIf you don't recall what plan(s) you signed up for, you can review this information on the Assignment Summary & Information page of your 25/26 housing application.
Students have access to the Assignment Summary & Information page anytime the application is actively open. If the application is closed, you will not have access to review this page until the application reopens.
How can i change my meal plan? Expand dropdownTo change a meal plan, you can e-mail a request to [email protected]. This email must come from you (the student) and include your E number and what change you want to make.
To change a meal plan, the student can e-mail a request to [email protected]. This email must come from the student and include the student's E number and what change they would like to make.
Requests to change the swipe meal plans will be accepted through September 15 for the Fall semester and January 15 for the Winter semester. After this deadline, no requests to change the meal plan will be honored, no matter what class level the student is or where they reside.
Changes and cancelations of all VOLUNTARY FLEX PLANS work differently:
Any Flex Dollar amount you select to purchase through the housing application is voluntary and you can change or fully cancel additional flex dollars purchased through the housing application up until August 20, 2025.
As of the Housing & Dining Contract start date (Thursday, 8/21), you can only change or fully cancel your voluntary flex if you have not used ANY of the flex dollars or additional bonus dollars associated with the purchase.
If you have used any of your voluntary flex dollars, we cannot make any changes to your selection or cancel your flex.
Can I cancel my housing? Expand dropdownIt depends!
Between now and move-in, students can cancel their housing application. We ask that student try to cancel their applications as soon as they know they will not be living with us, as other students who need housing may be waiting for spaces to become available.
Once a student takes occupancy (receives access to their assigned space), they are bound to the terms and conditions of the contract.
Our cancellation policy is detailed in our Housing & Dining Contract, which all students read through as part of the housing application process.
How can I request to cancel? Expand dropdownStudents may cancel the contract before the contract start date/before move in by requesting a cancellation, in writing via email only, to the Housing and Residence Life main email account ([email protected]).
Written cancellations must be sent via the student’s EMU email account to [email protected], and include the student's full legal name, EID number, and reason for cancellation.
Cancellation of the contract, regardless of the reason, will result in a forfeiture of the entire application fee amount.