Don't Stress. You've Got This.
Not sure about your housing choices or what might be the best fit for you? Many students feel pressured to sign leases for next year’s housing early in the fall semester, so we want to provide information about your available options. We don’t want you to be stressed about housing!
Housing is offered, but not guaranteed.
While we want to house as many students as possible, it's important to keep in mind that there are 2,875 upperclass beds available on Grounds, and around 4,000 students in each class year. We absolutely encourage you to apply if you want to live on Grounds! Just be aware of the numbers, and have a backup plan in case on-Grounds housing doesn't work out for you.
Application Overview
- The process for residential colleges and language houses opens on October 1, with an October 19 deadline.
- Residential college room selection timeslots will be sent on October 29, and room selection will take place on November 3-6.
- Language house room assignments are made by the program directors, and offers will be sent out on October 29.
- The standard application opens on November 10, and the deadline is December 1. See the Application Dates & Deadlines webpage for the full list of dates and deadlines that apply to you
- Students participating in the online room selection process will be able to search available housing at their room selection time period, and assign themselves and those in their roommate group to specific rooms.
- Every on-Grounds housing applicant who applies by the deadline receives a room selection timeslot. Any group member can select rooms for their group, so the student with the earliest timeslot can choose for all group members.
- You can continue making changes to your roommate group after the application deadline and during room selection, including splitting into smaller groups.
What's New This Year?
- Standard housing applicants will be notified about their room selection timeslots before Fall 2025 examinations.
- There will be no "same area" process for rising third- or fourth year students (see the "Order for Housing Application Phases," below).
- A limited number of spaces in all upperclass housing areas will be held for rising third- and fourth year room selection.
- If you sign a 2026-2027 housing agreement, you have until February 15, 2026 to cancel it with no penalty.
Upperclass Housing Information Sessions
Tuesday, September 23 from 3-4 p.m.
Newcomb Hall Theatre
Starting in September, many students feel pressured to sign leases for next year's living accommodations. Housing & Residence Life doesn't want students to be stressed about housing, but does want to provide information about your choices!
Join us for our Upperclass Housing Information Session, and learn about making good housing decisions! We'll share information on your housing options for 2026-2027, including budgeting details, so that you can get the facts before you commit. You'll hear from Housing & Residence Life staff about on- and off-Grounds choices in a presentation that addresses each kind of housing option and the kinds of community experiences you can expect. We'll also share more about what's changing for the on-Grounds process this year.
Virtual Information Sessions
If you're missed our in-person housing information session or have questions to ask about housing, please join one of our Upperclass Housing Virtual Information Sessions!
Starting in September, many students feel pressured to sign leases for next year's living accommodations. Housing & Residence Life doesn't want students to be stressed about housing, but does want to provide information about your choices!
We'll share information on your housing options, including both on- and off-Grounds housing, and housing cost information. The remainder of the session will be devoted to your questions.
No advance reservation is required — simply join Assistant Director Countess Hughes on Zoom.
For Students
October 6 Upperclass Housing Virtual Information Session for Students
6-7 p.m.
October 15 Upperclass Housing Virtual Information Session for Students
6-7 p.m.
For Parents
October 20 Upperclass Housing Virtual Information Session for Parents
7-8 p.m.
Learn more
Order for Housing Application Phases
Students select on-Grounds housing in phases. The order for these phases allows rising second-years with the best opportunity to live in on-Grounds apartments or hall-style buildings, if they wish.
The general order of housing application phases is below. If you have questions about where you may fit in the selection order, please email housing@virginia.edu.
- Residential college and language house processes
- Rising second-year students
- Rising third- and fourth-year students who live on Grounds in 2025-2026
- All students who do not yet have housing