Returning Student Housing for Fall 2026-Spring 2027
We are excited to share details about on-campus housing for the Fall 2026–Spring 2027
academic year and several changes that will affect how returning students apply for
and select housing.
How the Returning Student Housing Process Works (Quick Overview)
Applying for housing does not guarantee a room. Returning students will first submit an application. After the application period closes, students will either be made eligible to select a room during a limited time window or placed on a waiting list. This status will be determined through randomization. Housing is only secured once a student selects a specific room in the Housing Portal.
A New, More Transparent Housing Selection Process
The Department of Housing and Residence Life is implementing new software designed to make the housing process more student-centered and transparent. Students will be able to select their own rooms online from a live marketplace of vacant spaces, similar to an online shopping experience.
Application Timeline
Returning students who wish to live on campus for Fall 2026 should apply beginning Monday, March 2 at 9 AM. Additional details about timelines and next steps will follow. The application will be open only from 9 AM on March 2 to 9 PM on Sunday, March 8.
Important: Submitting an application indicates interest only and does not guarantee on-campus housing. Due to limited apartment availability, not all applicants will be immediately eligible to select a room in the first round of the process. Eligibility or Waitlist status will be determined at random – your date of application is not important as long as you apply before March 8.
Key Things to Know
- Applying does not guarantee housing. You only secure housing once you select a specific room in the Housing Portal.
- Returning students will select housing only in apartment areas: Davis, Luntsford, Centennial, and Buc Ridge.
- Community-bath and suite-style buildings are reserved for newly admitted first-time students.
- Eligibility to select a room is time-limited. If eligibility expires before a room is selected, the application moves to the end of the waiting list.
- If you think you might need on-campus housing, you should apply in March. Returning-student applications will not be accepted later until the waiting list is resolved.
- Returning students do not need to pay an additional deposit or application fee.
Next Steps in the Process
- Application open March 2 through March 8
- Thursday, March 12 – Housing and Residence Life will email applicants with their status of Eligible or Waitlist.
- March 12 – Roommate Matching open to all Eligible Students.
- Monday, March 23 at 10 AM through Friday, March 27th at 4:30 PM – Room Selection open to all Eligible students.
- Monday, March 30th – first round of Waitlist adjustments published
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Where will returning students live next year?
Returning students will select rooms in apartment areas: Davis, Luntsford, Centennial, and Buc Ridge. -
Can returning students live in community-bath or suite-style buildings?
These buildings are reserved for newly admitted first-time students to support first-year transition and community development. -
What if I am part of a Living Learning Community or other special population that is housed in a building that is not in the apartments?
We are working with our campus partners for special communities to reserve space in areas that are most appropriate for their program needs. More information will be shared with community members as plans are finalized prior to the start of room selection. -
What if more students apply than there are apartment spaces?
Applications will be randomly sorted into groups of students who are immediately eligible to select a room and those placed on a managed waiting list. Application submission time does not impact eligibility. Although we cannot guarantee it, we expect to offer housing to all students who remain on the waiting list. Please be patient with the process. -
What does it mean to be eligible for room selection?
Eligibility allows a student to select a room during a limited time window. If the window expires without a room selection, the application moves to the end of the waiting list. -
What does it mean to be on the waiting list?
Students will be notified of their exact position relative to gender and the total number of waitlisted students. Movement occurs as eligibility windows expire and cancellations occur. -
What if I’m unsure of my plans in March?
Students who think they may need on-campus housing should apply in March. After the March application closes, additional returning-student applications will not be accepted until the waiting list is resolved. -
What if my plans change after I select a room?
Students may cancel without penalty while an active waiting list exists. Once the waiting list is exhausted, a notice of a firm cancellation deadline will be sent in advance. -
Can I keep my same roommate?
Roommate pairs can be created only when both students are eligible. Housing staff will work over the summer to reunite roommates when possible, but placement together is not guaranteed. -
Can I keep my current room?
Only students who currently live in an apartment and are part of the first eligibility group may be able to retain their existing space. This will be dependent on the timing of when your room is selected as the marketplace of rooms is live and active. You will always have the option to modify your room choice after your first selection if space becomes available. -
Can I change my room after selecting one?
After a booking is created, students may modify their selection based on real-time availability through the summer leading up to August.
Rates
- Please be advised that due to increased costs in utilities, maintenance, staffing, renovations, and food, there will be an increase in the housing/dining rates for 2026/2027.
- The housing/dining rates for the upcoming academic year were voted on by the ETSU Board of Trustees in February 2026. These rates are now published on our website.
Meal Plans
- Be advised that all students living on campus, with the exception of Buc Ridge, are enrolled in the All-Access Silver Meal Plan. Returning residents in Centennial, Luntsford, and Davis Apartments will be eligible to reduce to the 15-Weekly Blue Meal Plan. This will be available in the portal, after room selection concludes.
- Students who select an assignment at Buc Ridge are not required to have a meal plan, but are eligible to choose any of the optional all access or block meal plans. This option will be available in the portal, after room selection concludes.
Summer 2026
- Sign-Ups for Summer 2026 housing will occur in April 2026. Information regarding this process will be emailed after 2026-2027 room selection concludes.
Not Returning to On-Campus Housing for 2026-2027?
- Residents who already know they are not returning to on-campus housing for 2025-2026, due to graduation, moving off-campus, etc., please let us know as soon as possible by completing a Deposit Refund Form. Deposit Refunds are processed 6-8 weeks after the end of Spring semester. We appreciate you for living on campus this semester, and we wish you the very best in the future.
Contact Us
Our team is committed to helping you navigate this process, and looking forward to having you back on campus for another year! If you have any questions, please reach out to our office.
- 2nd Floor, D.P. Culp Student Center, Carrier Center Suite 223
- Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm
- Phone: 423-439-4446
- Email: housing@etsu.edu