First-Year Student Sign-Up | University Housing

Living Options for New Huskers

The University Housing process for incoming new students consists of separate phases and may differ depending on when you sign your housing contract. There is no deadline to sign a housing contract, however, signing your contract by the housing priority dates (April 5 and May 10) allows you access to the Roommate Finder and online room selection process.

Students signing contracts by April 5 are randomly assigned the earliest appointment times to select rooms online in June.
Students signing contracts between April 6 and May 10 are randomly assigned the later appointment times to select rooms online in mid-June to early July.
Students signing contracts after May 10 will be assigned by University Housing.

The 2023–24 housing contract opens November 10, 2022 to all incoming first-year students. The contract is available to you after you’ve paid the Admissions enrollment deposit and have become a fully admitted student. | 2023-24 Contract Policy Book.

Access the housing contract here.

In the Housing portal, select "Contracts" on the red navigation bar then select the "2023-24 Academic Year" contract in the drop down menu. Select "Apply" or "Continue."

Important Dates

When	What
November 10, 2022	2023-24 academic year housing contract opens to incoming new students who have paid the Admissions enrollment deposit and are fully admitted students.
April 5, 2023	First priority housing date for appointment times to select a room online in June. Roommate Finder becomes available.
May 1, 2023	Learning Community deadline.
May 10, 2023	Second priority housing date for appointment times to select a room online in late June, early July. Signing by the priority date allows you to access the Roommate Finder and online room selection process. Roommate Finder closes.
May 25, 2023	Emails containing the specific day and time students can begin the online room selection process will be sent (only applicable for students that signed contracts by the priority dates).
June 1, 2023	Online room selection will begin for students that signed contracts by the April 5 priority date. Day and time for room selection will vary. Students will be randomly assigned appointment times to select rooms. Those who signed between April 6-May 10 will have appointment times in late June-early July.
July 5, 2023	Last day the online room selection will be open for students that signed contracts by May 10.
July 15, 2023	Cancellations received on and after July 15 will accrue daily charges, per the 30-day cancel notice policy. Last day to submit bed height preference. After this date, you’ll need to submit a FixIt ticket via the housing portal after moving in.

30-DAY CANCEL NOTICE REQUIRED

Once the contract is signed the contract is legally binding. Students will be charged for 30 days after the completion date of the online cancellation process via the housing portal or the date they return their room and mailbox keys (whichever is later).

I Plan to Sign My Contract by May 10

OPEN NOVEMBER 10
1. Log into MyRed.
2. Under “Important Links,” click the blue “Housing” button.
3. Click "Contracts" on the red navigation bar.
4. Select the "2023-24" Academic Year" contract in the drop-down menu, then click “Apply” or "Continue."
5. Complete each page and click “Save & Continue.”
6. Submit the $100 nonrefundable contract processing fee and complete the signature page. Don’t sign the contract if you’re unsure about residing in the University Housing Residence Halls for the 2023-24 academic year, as the contract will be legally binding and the 30-day cancellation notice policy will apply.
7. You've completed the contractual portion of the housing process.
ROOMMATE FINDER – AVAILABLE APRIL 1 TO MAY 10
8. Repeat steps 1–4 above if you haven’t already.
9. Read through the different options offered on the “Roommate Finder” page. "I know who I want to request" – for those who know the full, legal name and date of birth of their requested roommate. "Search by lifestyle preferences" – you can choose 1–3 specific lifestyle questions to find other students whose answers match yours. "Browse suggested roommates" – suggests roommates and provides percentages based on your lifestyle preference responses. Watch the "Finding Your Husker Roommate" webinar.
10. Students are only allowed one roommate request. To find and request a roommate: "View Profile" to view their lifestyle preferences. "Send Message" to communicate with several students to see who may be your best match. "Send Roommate Request" to your potential roommate once you’ve communicated with them. Requested students won’t be able to view your profile or send you a message until they’ve accepted or declined the request. "Cancel Request" if your requested roommate hasn’t accepted the request, you may want to cancel so you can continue your roommate search.
11. If you’ve received a roommate request you can “Accept Request” or “Decline Request” and then click the “Save & Continue” button.
12. Your roommate pair should now be verified. If you have any incoming or outgoing requests, this means your roommate pair isn't verified and you'll be unable to assign together in the online room selection.

ONLINE ROOM SELECTION – APPOINTMENT TIMES TO SELECT ROOMS BEGIN JUNE 1 AND CLOSES JULY 5.
Steps 13-19 should be done by one student in a verified roommate pair and all individuals not in roommate pairs.
13. Repeat steps 1–4 under above if you haven’t already
14. Filter for available rooms by campus, hall or room type on the "Room Selection" page. Not finding your preference? Filter by a different hall or room type. Assign yourself to your next preferred room or hall and continuously come back to see what’s open due to students moving.
15. Assign to a bed. If you have a verified roommate pair, you need to select a bed for yourself and your roommate. Then click "Assign Beds." Only one student from the pair can assign at a time. If you find a different room you’d prefer, you’ll be able to swap rooms even after completing the housing process for your current room assignment.
16. Click "Save & Continue" on the "Confirmation" page.
The following needs to be completed by ALL students once a room reservation is made.
17. Complete the bed height page (if applicable). Deadline to select a bed height is July 15. Late requests may not be ready by move-in.
18. Complete the meal plan page.
19. Review your room assignment on the "Contract Info" page and click "Save & Continue."

Room Swap Instructions
Room Swap is available until July 5 and is only available if you signed your contract by May 10.
1. Log into MyRed.
2. Under “Important Links,” click the blue “Housing” button.
3. Click "Contracts" on the red navigation bar.
4. Select the "2023-24" Academic Year" contract in the drop-down menu, then click “Apply” or "Continue."
5. Go to the “Contract Info" page and select "yes" on the room swap question. Select "Save & Continue."
6. Assign to a bed. If you have a verified roommate pair, you need to select a bed for yourself and your roommate. Then click "Assign Beds." Only one student from the pair can assign at a time. If you find a different room you’d prefer, you’ll be able to swap rooms even after completing the housing process for your current room assignment.
7. Click "Save & Continue" on the "Confirmation" page.
The following needs to be completed by ALL students once a room reservation is made.
8. Complete the bed height page (if applicable). Deadline to select a bed height is July 15. Late requests may not be ready by move-in.
9. Complete the meal plan page.
10. Review your room assignment on the "Contract Info" page and click "Save & Continue."

I Plan to Sign My Contract After May 10

I Plan to Sign My Contract After May 10
1. Log into MyRed.
2. Under “Important Links,” click the blue “Housing” button.
3. Click "Contracts" on the red bar across the top of the page.
4. Select the "2023-24" Academic Year" contract in the drop-down menu, then click “Apply” or "Continue."
5. Complete each page and click “Save & Continue.”
6. Submit the $100 nonrefundable contract processing fee and complete the signature page. Don’t sign the contract if you’re unsure about residing in the University Housing Residence Halls for the 2023-24 academic year, as the contract will be legally binding and the 30-day cancellation notice policy will apply.
7. Complete the “Roommate Request” page (if applicable). If you don’t have a roommate request, leave the page blank, scroll to the bottom and hit “Save & Continue.” If your requested roommate is already assigned, email us immediately with the request. University Housing does their best to accommodate all roommate requests but cannot make guarantees.
8. Complete the “Room Preferences” page. You’ll be required to select ten (10) hall preferences and their correlating room types. We can’t guarantee you’ll be placed in your preferred halls as space is limited.
9. You've completed the contractual portion of the housing process.

AVAILABLE AFTER YOU’VE RECEIVED YOUR ROOM ASSIGNMENT IN JULY OR LATER
10. Complete the bed height page (if applicable). Deadline to select a bed height is July 15. Late requests may not be ready by move-in.
11. Complete the meal plan page.
12. Review your room assignment on the "Contract Info" page and click "Save & Continue."

Frequently Asked Questions

GENERAL INFORMATION
What’s the difference between the Admissions enrollment deposit and the University Housing contract processing fee? The University Housing $100 contract processing fee is nonrefundable and is required with all housing and meal contracts. Admissions requires an enrollment deposit. You’ll have access to a housing contract 24 business hours after the enrollment deposit is paid and you’ve been fully admitted.
What if I choose to move into a fraternity or sorority house? Greek organizations are separate from University Housing. If you sign a University Housing contract and later decide you don’t want to live in the residence halls, you must submit a 30-day notice of your cancellation via the housing portal. You will be charged for 30 days after the completion date of the online cancellation process or the date you have turned in your room and mailbox keys (whichever is later). Cancellations received on and after July 15 will accrue daily charges since we now require a 30-day cancel notice.
Am I required to live on campus? The University of Nebraska has an on-campus residency requirement. All incoming, first-year unmarried students enrolled for six or more credit hours, and are under the age of 19 prior to the first day of the fall semester of the current academic year, are required to reside in on-campus housing. This lasts for the entire academic year. See our Residency Requirement website for details and for information on how to submit an online exemption form.
How do I cancel my contract? Detailed instructions on how to cancel your contract can be found here. All incoming, first-year and/or unmarried students enrolled for six or more credit hours, and are under the age of 19 prior to the first day of the fall semester of the current academic year, are required to reside in on-campus housing. See our On Campus Residency Requirement website for details.
Will I be charged a cancellation fee for canceling my contract? If you’ve signed your contract it’s now a legally binding document. If you decide to cancel your contract, you must submit a 30-day notice of your cancellation via the housing portal. You will be charged for 30 days after the completion date of the online cancellation process or the date they have turned in their room and mailbox keys (whichever is later). Cancellations received after July 15 will accrue daily charges since we now require a 30-day cancel notice.
When is the latest date I could sign a housing contract? There is no deadline to complete a housing contract. Students signing contracts by April 5 are randomly assigned the earliest appointment times to select rooms online in June. Students signing contracts between April 6 and May 10 are randomly assigned the later appointment times to select rooms online in mid-June to early July. Students signing contracts after May 10 will be assigned by University Housing. We can’t guarantee that you’ll be placed in your preferred hall or with your requested roommate as space is limited.
Do I get the contract processing fee refunded if I cancel my contract? No, the contract processing fee is nonrefundable.

ROOMMATE FINDER AND ROOMMATE REQUESTS
What should I write in my “About Me”? It’s helpful to let potential roommates know some information that relates to the following: What room type and hall you’re interested in living in If you’re a part of the William H. Thompson scholars, Honors program, or a Learning Community What your major is Where you’re from What you like to do in your spare time How you would describe yourself Example “About Me”: Interested in a double bedroom in a traditional-style hall Biology major From Lincoln, NE I like watching Husker volleyball and listen to hip-hop music in my spare time. I'm easy going and love to meet new people. School is my priority, so I appreciate quiet time during finals and exams. You shouldn’t write any text that eludes to the fact that you’re reserving a spot in your unit for another student that hasn’t been able to assign with you.
What happens if my roommate changes rooms or cancels? If the online room selection is open, the vacant bed is available for any other student selecting beds to assign themselves as your roommate. If space is available in your unit, it’s best to swap to a room that already has someone else assigned to it so you have an idea of who your roommate may be. You’re able to view other available spaces and roommate information before reserving a room if you choose to swap rooms (for students that meet the priority date). The "Room Selection" page will allow you to view roommate information by clicking "Show Room Info." If online room selection is closed, then you’ll either be moved to another bed in your hall that already has a student assigned or a student will be assigned to the open bed in your room. For information on the consolidation policy after move-in read the University Housing policy booklet.
What if I no longer want to be in the confirmed roommate pair? If the Roommate Finder is still open, then you’ll need to log back into your housing contract, revisit the Roommate Finder page and click “Delete Roommate Pair" or "Leave Roommate Pair." If the Roommate Finder is closed, please contact the University Housing contracts office with your name, NUID number, and a request stating you no longer wish to be in a confirmed roommate pair. Room and roommate changes are time sensitive.
What if I want to request a current student or a transfer student? You and your requested roommate will need to email housing.contracts@unl.edu with both your full names, NUID numbers, your preferred hall/room types and statements saying you are requesting each other as roommates for the academic year. All requests must be mutual and are time-sensitive. We cannot guarantee that you’ll be placed with your requested roommate.

ONLINE ROOM SELECTION AND ROOM ASSIGNMENTS
Why can’t I find a room in my preferred hall? There may no longer be spaces available in your preferred hall or room type. The room may be reserved for a special group like a Learning Community. The unit may be designated for a specific gender that doesn’t match yours.
When will I receive my room assignment if I signed my contract after May 10? You’ll receive your assignment email in late July or later (depending on when your contract was signed).
Am I guaranteed my preferred hall and room type? Specific halls and room types aren’t guaranteed. Review all living options available at the university. If you’re part of a residential community (Learning Community, William H. Thompson, Honors residential community, etc.) you’re guaranteed a space within that community.

Learning Communities

May 1 is the deadline for students to apply to live in a Learning Community and are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. To be considered for a Learning Community you must have a signed contract.

Members of a Learning Community live together, on the same residence hall floor. If you have a specific roommate request make sure that they are also part of the same Learning Community or Learning Community cluster or the request may not be accommodated.

Learning Community residents will have a $95 charge on their first bill in September.

2023-24 Housing Sign Up

Housing & Dining Holiday Closedown

Important Dates

Contacting University Housing