Congratulations and welcome to UMBC! Below, you will find information on the steps you need to complete in order to successfully apply for on campus housing. Be sure to review the information below so that you are fully prepared when you arrive at UMBC.
If you are a current UMBC student please visit our currently enrolled UMBC student page for information about housing deadlines.
First-Year Communities
Most students begin their experience living on campus in one of our residence hall communities, while students who apply to and are accepted to one of our Living-Learning Communities may be assigned to a suite-style community. We encourage all students to explore our communities prior to completing their housing application.
First-year students typically live in shared (double/triple) bedrooms. Single room options in our halls and suites are very limited. Single rooms are prioritized for those with approved medical accommodations and upperclass students. Newly admitted freshmen can expect to have at least 1 direct roommate and 2 indirect roommates.
First-Year Housing Application Process
Priority Housing Application Deadline
Newly admitted summer & fall first-year students who apply by May 1 are guaranteed housing because they are required to acknowledge the License (contract) and pay the $200 Reservation Fee as part of their application. It is important to note that the housing license is for the entire academic year, defined as beginning with the start of the Fall Semester through the end of the Spring Semester.
Newly admitted spring first-year students who complete their application by the December 15 priority deadline are guaranteed to be issued the Housing Offer (License and Reservation Fee form) via their UMBC email. It is important to note that the housing license is for the spring semester year. We recommend that spring admits visit the New Transfer Student page for instructions.
Students who miss their priority deadline will not be guaranteed housing, but will be added to the housing waitlist, and will be issued the License and Reservation Fee form as space permits.
Deadlines for Fall 2024 Admits
| Application & Licenses Available |
February 1, 2024 |
| Priority Deadline for Guaranteed Housing |
May 1, 2024 |
| Deadline to apply for a Living-Learning Community |
May 1, 2024 |
| Roommate Request & Formation Begins |
May 2, 2024 |
| Roommate Request Deadline |
June 15, 2024 |
| Roommate & Room Assignment Information Available |
July 15, 2024 at 5PM |
| New Student Move-In |
August 24, 2024 |
The General Housing Interest (Waitlist) Application will be made available on May 2, 2023 for new students and those who missed the priority deadline.
Roommate & Room Assignments
Housing Assignments are made utilizing the students housing application preferences and eligibility criteria. While we try to honor students’ preference we cannot guarantee that a student will be assigned to a specific building or room. Within our co-ed communities, students are assigned to rooms, suites and/or apartments with roommates of the same biological sex, unless the student has expressed interest in Gender Inclusive Housing.
- Incoming first-year, transfer, and waitlist students are assigned to housing by Residential Life staff.
- Students that apply for and are selected to live in a Living-Learning Community (LLC) are assigned by the LLC Coordinator.
Incoming first-year students can request one (1) or three (3) preferred roommates who is also an incoming first-year student. Students who form a group of 3, rather than a group of 2 or 4, will only be assigned together in our triple bedroom room types as space permits.
Students will receive specific instructions for requesting a roommate in the housing portal. The period for newly admitted students to request a specific roommate is mid-May until June 15 at 11:59 p.m. Due to our various housing application cycles, first-year students cannot request to live with current UMBC.
Students who do not request a specific roommate will be assigned one by the Residential Life Staff. Roommate assignments are made using information provided in the interest housing application.
Newly admitted students should expect to receive their assignment and roommate information in mid-July or January via their UMBC email.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do first-year students live?
Most newly admitted first-year students will live in our residence halls, unless they are accepted into a Living Learning Community that is housed in a suite community.
Yes. All of our communities and floors are co-ed. Whereas, bedrooms, suites, and apartments are same-sex. Student interested in living in a Gender Inclusive bedroom, suite or apartment should indicate interest on their housing application.
Who cleans the students rooms?
Residents are responsible for the cleanliness of individual rooms, suite common rooms, bathrooms and kitchens in apartments. Health and safety inspections occur twice a semester. UMBC housekeeping staff are responsible for study lounges, residence hall lobbies, community bathrooms, laundry rooms, hallways and stairwells. Concerns regarding housekeeping issues should be directed to Residential Life Facilities at 410-455-3948.
What items are provided and/or what should I bring?
We encourage students to review the Packing List for a list of provided, recommended items to bring, and prohibited items.
Where do I go to complete the housing application?
If I missed the priority deadline, can I still apply?
Yes. You are welcome to complete the General Interest Application after the priority deadline has passed. Students who miss their priority application deadline are added to the housing wait list. Wait list offers are made, as space permits. Students will remain on the wait list until we are able to make them an offer.
Can I apply to live on-campus for just the fall semester?
The housing license (contract) is for the full academic year (fall and spring) which means you are expected to live on campus both semesters. Only students graduating in December and those studying aboard in during the Spring semester are permitted to live on-campus for the fall only.
Can I apply to live on-campus for just the spring semester?
Students are welcome to apply for spring semester housing. Students should wait to complete a General Housing Application (wait list) until October if you do not want to be offered Fall housing.
Keep in mind that students, with the exception of newly admitted spring students who meet the December 15th deadline, will not be guaranteed a spring housing offer.
Housing License & Reservation Fee
When do I need to pay the $200 Housing Reservation Fee?
Newly admitted first-year students who apply before May 1 will pay the housing reservation fee at the time of application.
Wait list students will pay the housing reservation fee when you receive your housing offer.
Can the housing reservation fee be waived?
The housing reservation fee is mandatory. Students with significant financial need are welcome contact Residential Life prior to the application/offer deadline.
Is the housing reservation fee refundable?
No. The housing reservation fee will be applied as a credit to your initial housing charges. For example, if you license for the full year, the $200 will be applied toward your fall housing bill.
In the event that you cancel your housing license prior to move-in, the $200 reservation fee will be applied towards your cancellation fees.
Can I request a roommate(s)?
Students may have the option of requesting roommate(s). Students who do not request a specific roommate will be assigned one by the Residential Life Staff. Assignments are made using information provided in the interest housing application.
The period for newly admitted students to request a specific roommate is mid-May until June 15 at 11:59 p.m.
Incoming First-year students who apply by May 1 can request one (1) or three (3) preferred roommates who is also an incoming Fall Freshman.
Students who form a group of 3, rather than a group of 2 or 4, will only be assigned together in our triple bedroom room types as space permitting.
How do I request a roommate?
Students will receive a email with instructions on requesting or forming a roommate group in the housing portal. Incoming First-Year students should look for an email in their UMBC account in early May.
If I get accepted onto an LLC floor, can I request a roommate?
If you are admitted to an LLC, you can only request a roommate who has also been admitted to that LLC.
Can I pick which building I want to live in?
How are room assignments made?
Incoming first-year, transfer and wait list students are assigned to housing by Residential Life staff. Additionally, students that apply for and are selected to live in a Living-Learning Community (LLC) are assigned by the LLC Coordinator. Whereas, current residents who participate in Housing Selection get to select their specific building and room from the available inventory.
Assignments are made utilizing the students housing application preferences and eligibility criteria. While we try to honor students preference we cannot guarantee that a student will be assigned to a specific building or room.
Within our co-ed communities, students are assigned to rooms, suites and/or apartments with roommates of the same biological sex, unless the student has expressed interest in Gender Inclusive Housing.
When will I find my room and roommate information?
Housing assignments are communicated to students via their UMBC email account.
- Fall residents should expect to receive their assignment in mid-July.
- Spring only residents should expect to receive their assignment information in mid-January.
Can I see my room before I move-in?
Due to camps, conferences, and summer programs we are unable to allow students to view their specific room. We encourage students to reach out to Admissions about opportunities to join a Black & Gold tour, or to view images and floor plans at https://reslife.umbc.edu/communities/
Can I change my roommate or assignment?
Due to the high demand for housing, we are unable to honor any room/roommate change requests prior to the start of the semester. Please keep in mind that during the first two (2) weeks of each semester, room changes are not permitted. Room Freezes allow Residential Life to “take attendance,” move any students out of their temporary assignments, and place students on the wait list.
Can I cancel housing if I no longer wish to live on campus?
Students are able to cancel their housing prior to move-in by completing the Cancellation Request form on the Housing Portal.
Please be sure to review information about fees associated with canceling your housing (https://reslife.umbc.edu/apply/housing_procedures/).
Students who wish to cancel their housing after Move-In must submit a formal petition for release from the license.
