Returning students can apply for on-campus housing for the 2027 - 2028 academic year through the Residence Hall Housing Application. The process includes accepting the Housing and Dining License, submitting an application, requesting roommates if desired, and participating in the applicable room-selection process.
Returning Students
Housing Application
Understand the housing application process
The returning student room-selection process uses a weighted lottery. Students who apply before the selection period receive lottery numbers based on class year, which determine the order in which they select available rooms.
Participation in returning student room selection guarantees on-campus housing for the academic year and requires acceptance of the Housing and Dining License.
Students who are not required to live on campus should participate only if they are certain they want to live on campus for the entire upcoming academic year.
Review the University Housing Policy for the applicable requirements.
There are two application opportunities:
Priority Housing Application Period November 1st - December 7th
During the fall semester, current students can submit their housing application and select roommates before room selection begins. Applying during this period provides a better lottery number within the student's class year than applying in the spring.
November 1st - December 7th
Regular Housing Application Period November 8th - August 31st
Current students have another opportunity to apply following the end of the Priority Housing period. Students applying during this period receive a lottery number within their class year, after students who participated in priority housing selection in the fall. Pay attention to the Housing Application Deadlines, as submitting an application after a particular room-selection deadline may make the student ineligible for that selection process.
November 8th - August 31st
Housing Application Deadlines
Your application submission date may determine which room-selection processes you can participate in. Submit your application by the deadline for the housing option you want.
- All In LLC - Monday, February 8, 2027
- Village Selection - Sunday, February 21, 2027
- Onondaga Selection - Wednesday, February 24, 2027
- Paid Single Selection - Tuesday, March 2, 2027
- General Housing Selection - Sunday, March 7, 2027
The housing application remains open through August 31, 2027.
How to Submit Your Housing Application
Complete the Residence Hall Housing Application.
- Login to the MyHousing portal.
- Select ‘Application, Agreements, and Forms.’
- Select 'Residence Hall Housing Application'.
Read and sign the Housing and Dining License.
- To agree to the terms of the License, provide your electronic signature in the box at the bottom of the page. The License is a binding agreement for the full 2025-2026 academic year.
- Select 'Continue.'
Answer the application questions.
- Select the appropriate answer to each of the required applications questions.
- Select ‘Continue.’
Select an LLC or Gender-inclusive option.
- Indicate any interest in a Living Learning Community (LLC) or gender-inclusive housing on your application.
- Select 'Continue.' A confirmation page will appear, notifying you that your Housing Application has been submitted.
- If you said yes to either interest in an LLC or gender-inclusive housing, return to the MyHousing portal to complete the appropriate agreements.
- Students who do not complete the agreement may be reassigned to other housing. Please note that we do our very best to honor your living interests; however, we cannot guarantee our ability to do so.
Submit a roommate request.
- Once the Residence Hall Housing Application is completed, return to the MyHousing portal main menu and select 'Room Selection.'
- Go to 'Select Roommates' from the menu, select the Term, and search for your mate using the search field (first and last name).
- Only students who have completed the Housing Application will be able to request or be requested as mates. Please note that mate-matching must be mutual to form a fully matched group. If your requested mate does not request you as their mate, you will not be able to select a room together.
- You will not be able to match with mates once you or your mate has been assigned to a room.
Housing Selection
Housing Selection Dates
- All In LLC - February 23rd 10am - 10pm
- Village Selection
- Full Groups - Sunday, February 23, 2027
- Not Full Groups - Sunday, February 24, 2027
- Onondaga Selection
- Full Groups - February 26th 10am - 10pm
- Not Full Groups - March 2nd 10am - 10pm
- Paid Single Selection - March 4th 10am - 10pm
- General Housing Selection - March 9th - 10th from 10am to 10pm each day
The Village Townhouses
Choose from available space via MyHousing portal according to your lottery number/start time.
*Returning students that have completed the housing application, but did not select a room will be assigned by Residence Life and Housing.
Eligibility
An applicant must qualify under one of the following categories prior to occupancy:
- Continuing Undergraduates: Achieved sophomore standing by the start of Priority Housing and completed at least two semesters of on-campus residency (inclusive of the current term).
- New Transfer Students: Attained sophomore standing by the start of room selection/being assigned.
- Graduate Students: Full-time or part-time graduate student status.
Village General Lottery
The selection takes place on:
- Fully matched groups of 4 and 6 - February 23rd 10am - 10pm
- Not fully matched groups (5,3,2,1) - February 24th 10am - 10pm
- The Village General Lottery is for participants that are eligible, have indicated they are interested in living in the Village in the Residence Hall Application and have accepted the terms of the Housing and Dining License.
Residence Halls
Choose from available space via MyHousing portal according to your lottery number/start time.
All In LLC Selection
The selection takes place on: February 23rd 10am - 10pm
- Living Learning Community will be located on the third floor of Waterbury.
Onondaga Suite Lottery
The selection takes place on:
- If you are a Full Group (6 people for a 6 people suite)
- February 26th 10am - 10pm
- If you are not a full Group (1,2,3,4,5 for a 6 people suite)
- March 2nd 10am - 10pm
- Enter all members of your group as roommates. Your requested roommates must request you as a roommate (match) or no one in your group will be able to choose a room together.
- Be prepared! If you are able to sign up for a suite, you will designate who will live in each bedroom when you choose your suite.
Paid Single Room Selection (Excluding the VIllage)
The selection takes place on: March 4th 10am - 10pm
- All students who indicate interest in a paid single will have the ability to participate in the Single Room Selection process. Be reminded that paid single spaces are limited on campus.
General Lottery
The sections takes place on: March 9th - 10th from 10am to 10pm each day
- Enter all members of your group as roommates (if any). Your requested roommates must request you as a roommate (match) or no one in your group will be able to choose a room together.
First-Year and Upper-Division Residence Halls
CENTRAL CAMPUS
Hart Global Living Learning Center
Hart Global Living Learning Center is a mixed building housing first-year and upper-division students and is conveniently located in the center of campus.
LAKESIDE
Waterbury Hall
Home to approximately 200 students, offering residents lake access, a rec facility, and a 24-hour study area. Waterbury is a mixed building housing first-year and upper-division students. Waterbury Hall also offers limited paid single room options for upper-division students.
Upper-Division Residence Halls
WEST CAMPUS
Onondaga Hall
Overlooking Glimmerglass Lagoon and Lake Ontario, Onondaga Hall is the only suite-style residence hall on campus. Onondaga houses upper-division students.
LAKESIDE
Riggs Hall
Riggs has a convenient tunnel connection to Lakeside Dining Hall. Home to upper-division students, residents often take advantage of it’s close proximity to the lake. Riggs Hall also offers paid single rooms with limited availability.
LAKESIDE
Scales Hall
Scales is a building housing upper-division students. Home to 200 students, this hall provides a 24-hour study room, computer lab, and recreation room. Scales Hall also offers paid single rooms with limited availability.
WEST CAMPUS
Seneca Hall
Seneca Hall offers housing to upper-division students. This residence hall houses 600 students between 10 floors, making it one of the largest on campus. Seneca Hall also offers paid single rooms with limited availability.
WEST CAMPUS
The Village Townhouses
Overlooking Glimmerglass Lagoon, The Village comprises 68 townhouse-style apartments for upper-division students.
Release from the Housing and Dining License
The Housing and Dining License is binding for the entire academic year (fall and spring semesters). Students who enroll with the university in January, however, may count that semester as equal to one full year on campus. The decision to approve or deny a request to release a student from their Housing and Dining License will be based upon the sufficiency of the written explanation and supporting documentation provided. Students may request a release when they can provide evidence that they meet one or more of the following criteria:
- Are on active military duty
- Will be graduating
- Have an internship that is located more than 30 miles from campus
- Are married
- Will be student teaching
- Will be studying abroad
Financial hardship or financial consideration is not an approved reason for release from the Housing and Dining License. Additionally, signing an off-campus lease will not be considered a valid reason for release.
Students with questions or concerns regarding their account balance, billing, or financial assistance options should contact Student Financial Services (Financial Aid & Student Accounts) for assistance.
If you wish to be released from the Housing and Dining License, you must submit a formal request through your MyHousing Portal.
To Request a Release
- Review the required documentation, as listed below.
- Login to MyHousing.
- Sign the Request for Release from the Residence Life and Housing License, answer all the questions, and submit the completed form and supporting documentation.
Completed requests, including all supporting documentation, will be reviewed by Residence Life and Housing and you may be scheduled to meet with them to discuss your request.
Note: Unless you receive approval of this request, your student status requires compliance with the Housing and Dining License. Alternative arrangements for housing, including a lease commitment, will not be considered sufficient reason for approval of this request.
Required Documentation
Reason for Requesting Release
- Active Military Duty
- Documentation Needed: Military Documentation
- Graduation
- Documentation Needed: Inclusion on the official graduation list.
- Internship
- Documentation Needed: Verification by the EXCEL office that the internship location is greater than a 30 mile radius from campus.
- Marriage
- Documentation Needed: Marriage certificate (license will not suffice)
- Student Teaching
- Documentation Needed: Verification by the College of Education, Health, and Human Services
- Study Abroad
- Documentation Needed: Verification by the Office of International Education
- Transferring or Withdrawing*
- Documentation Needed: Completed and submitted College withdrawal form with the Registrars office or documentation from your new school showing admission to a program.
*If you are readmitted for full-time study at Oswego and are not covered by one of the standard exemptions, you will be required to complete the College residential requirement. Your obligation will be determined by your category (freshman or transfer) at the time of your first enrollment at Oswego.
Please Note
- Release from the Housing and Dining License may impact your scholarship(s).
- If you are readmitted for full-time study at Oswego and are not covered by one of the standard releases, you will be required to complete the University residential requirement, determined by your category (first-year or transfer) at the time of your first enrollment at Oswego.
- If you are readmitted for full-time study at Oswego you will be financially responsible for the rate at which you are readmitted.
Your materials will be reviewed by Residence Life and Housing and a decision will be rendered regarding your request.
Students may appeal a denied decision by emailing [email protected]. Appeals will only be considered if they offer new or additional information that was not initially presented in the initial request. Appeals will be reviewed by the Assistant Vice President for Residence Life and Housing or their designee. Decisions made on appeal are final and will be communicated via email to the student.
