Housing Application

Continuing Student Room Selection Process

Fall/Spring 2026-27 Continuing Student Room Selection

Living on campus is an important part of the USF experience, and we know many of you plan to return next year. Please review all the information on this page so you know what you need to do, and when. The process has changed, so whether you have participated in room selection before or not, it’s important you are up-to-date.

How to Select a Room:
  • Submit your housing application by January 30, 2026, to be eligible for the continuing student lottery. Submitting a housing application does not guarantee a room or timeslot. The lottery is the process through which housing applicants are selected randomly, then allowed to select a space on campus during their assigned timeslot.
  • There are two rounds of room selection:
    • Round 1: March 3
    • Round 2: April 7
  • Roommate groups are limited to two students and must be created between February 2–22.
  • Students who do not receive a timeslot in either round will be placed on the Continuing Student Standby List and contacted if space becomes available.

Important changes to fall/spring 2026-27 continuing student room selection

Demand for on-campus housing continues to grow. As a result, the continuing student room selection process has changed. We encourage students to review the updated process to understand how housing selections will work for the upcoming year.

What does this mean for continuing students?

Housing availability for continuing students will be limited. Students can participate in a lottery for the opportunity to secure a space on campus. 

Two rounds of Continuing Student Room Selection will occur: 

  • Round 1 (beginning March 3): Students who completed their application and all pending requirements by January 30th. Please note that completing these steps does not guarantee a space on campus. 
  • Round 2 (beginning April 7): We may offer a limited second round of Continuing Student Room Selection based on available space after summer/fall 2026 incoming student room selection. 

To be eligible for the lottery, submit a completed housing application by January 30. Applied does not guarantee a room or timeslot. Roommate groups are limited to two students and can be created between February 2 and 22. Timeslots will be issued to housing applicants at random through the lottery until no timeslots remain. The housing application date does not influence whether or not an applicant receives a timeslot in the lottery. 

cancellations and refunds

  • If you choose not to live on campus, you may cancel your housing application by following these steps:
    • Log in to the Housing Portal.
    • Select the St. Petersburg tab.
    • Click Application Cancellation, and follow the steps. You may cancel at any time before selecting a room.
    • Cancellations completed before 5 p.m. on January 30 will result in a refund of the $50 application fee.
    • Cancellations completed later than 5 p.m. on January 30 will not result in a refund.

Need assistance?

If you still have questions after reviewing this website, please contact us at stp-housing@usf.edu or 727-873-5101. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we support many students during this busy and exciting time of year. Even during our busiest weeks, 95% of emails will be answered within two (2) business days.

Off-campus housing support 

Fall/Spring 2026-27 Continuing Student Room Selection Timeline

  • Housing Application Deadline

    January 30

    Continuing students must submit the 2026–27 Fall/Spring Housing Application by January 30 to be eligible for the randomized lottery for room selection. Applying does not guarantee a room. Applications may reopen in March based on availability. Students who cancel by January 30 will receive a refund of the $50 application fee.

  • Roommate Group Formation

    February 2 - 22

    Roommate groups for continuing students can be created in the Housing Portal between February 2 and February 22. Groups are limited to two people.

  • Continuing Student Room Selection Round 1

    March 3

    Round 1 of room selection begins on March 3. Timeslots are assigned through a randomized lottery. Students should prepare multiple backup options due to limited inventory.

  • Room Selection Round 2 Updates

    Late March

    Students who did not receive a Round 1 timeslot will be notified in late March regarding their eligibility for Round 2 and remaining availability.

  • Round 2 Timeslots Emailed

    April 2

    Eligible students will receive their randomized timeslots for Round 2 on April 2.

  • Continuing Student Room Selection Round 2

    April 7

    Round 2 begins on April 7 and is based on remaining inventory after incoming student assignments and Round 1 selections. Availability will be limited, and students should be prepared to select from the remaining options.

  • Standby List Activiated

    After April 7

    Students who do not receive a timeslot in either round will be placed on the Continuing Student Standby List in a randomized order. As rooms become available throughout the summer, Housing will contact students on the list to select from available options.