Welcome to University Housing! We’re excited for you to find your Husker Home.
This page outlines the process for applying for on-campus housing for the 2026-27 Academic Year (August 2026 to May 2027) for incoming freshmen for Fall 2026.
Starting January 14, 2026, students who have paid or deferred their enrollment deposit will gain access to the Housing Application and Roommate Finder in MyRED. For those who pay or defer the enrollment deposit after this date, access is granted within 24 hours after payment or deferral.
When completing the Housing Application, you will have the opportunity to provide a ranking of your residence hall preferences. These preferences will be used to make room placements and assignments.
We encourage you to submit your Housing Application by April 1 to be part of our room assignment priority group 1. Doing so will give you the best chance to be placed in one of your desired halls. We know you are sure to build new friendships and make lasting memories as you share a home with other Huskers!
Note: There is no deadline to submit the Housing Application.
Important Dates for First-Year Students
| When | What |
|---|---|
| January 14, 2026 | The housing application and Roommate Finder open January 14 in MyRED. If you’ve paid the enrollment deposit and are a fully admitted student, you can submit your housing application for the 2026-27 academic year.* You may also select to be in one of our Learning Communities through your housing application. Please allow up to 24 hours after paying your enrollment deposit for your housing application to appear on MyRED. |
| April 1, 2026 First Housing Priority Deadline | When you submit your housing application by April 1, you’ll be entered into a hall preference lottery. This gives you the best opportunity to be placed into one of your desired halls, plus, you’ll know your room assignment in late May—before orientation! Room assignments are not first come, first serve. Apply by April 1 for the best opportunity to be placed into your desired hall. Final day to opt into a Learning Community. |
| May 1, 2026 | Roommate Finder closes. |
| Late May 2026 | Students who applied by April 1 will receive housing assignments on May 20. Check your Huskers email or the housing portal to discover your Husker Home! For housing applications received after April 1, room assignments will be emailed in early June and on a rolling weekly basis throughout the remainder of the summer. Housing staff will assign students roommates based on the profile questions answered in their housing application if no preferred roommate is requested. |
| July 12, 2026 | Last day to cancel contract to receive a full refund. |
New Student Housing Application
OPENS JANUARY 14, 2026
- Start your application in the housing portal.
- Click "New Student Application" on the red navigation bar.
- Select "2026-27 Academic Year" application.
- Complete each section of the housing application including profile information and room preferences.
- Pay the $100 nonrefundable housing application fee (or defer the payment) and sign the housing agreement.
- You'll also select a meal plan and have the option to add Renter's Insurance.
- Congratulations! You've completed your Husker Home housing application.
Roommate Finder
OPENS JANUARY 14, 2026
Roommate Finder opens January 14, 2026 to give you an opportunity to develop connections and friendships with fellow Huskers. You will have the opportunity to match with one roommate. Roommate Finder closes May 1.
Note: students in select academic groups or programs may only be able to see and match with other students in the selected program (examples: UNL Honor Program, Learning Communities, etc.).
Room Assignments
The overwhelming majority of first-year students live in traditional-style residence halls. Suite-style halls are reserved for students who are admitted into the UNL Honors Program or are part of one of our residential learning communities.
Living in an Academic Group or Program
Some campus-based programs have a residential requirement. Examples include the University Honors Program, Learning Communities, Jeffrey S. Raikes School of Computer Science and Management, William H. Thompson Scholars, and certain scholarship or academic programs. If a student is selected to join such a program with a residential requirement, they will be assigned to the designated residence hall of this specific program. Each of these programs communicates with Housing on your behalf.
Contact University Housing
Location: 530 N. 17th Street
Office hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday – Friday
Phone: (402) 472-3561
Email: housing@unl.edu
Correspondence can be mailed to:
University Housing
PO Box 880622
Lincoln, NE 68588-0622
When contacting us please be sure to indicate:
- a subject
- your name
- your NUID#
University Housing responds to all e-mail messages within 48 business hours. If you do not receive a response, the e-mail has not been received by our office.