First-year Student Housing

Step 1: Accept your offer of admission

Students can sign up for campus housing after accepting Cal Poly's offer of admission. It takes 1-2 business days after you accept your offer of admission to view the housing application. The housing application opens on April 10.

Step 2: Complete your application or submit an exemption by June 1

In the housing application you will:

• Agree to the housing contract and designate a cosigner if you are under the age of 18. Make your initial payment ($500 for housing + $800 for dining).
• Select your top two Residential Learning Community (RLC) preferences. Choose from academic, social, identity, and interest-based communities.
• Request up to two roommates, for a maximum group size of three. You can add roommates once they have secured housing and their RLC preferences must match yours.
• Let us know if you prefer to live in a room that is Queer-affirming, which goes beyond “acceptance,” and is an environment where students who identify as Queer are fully welcomed in a supportive community. Housing expects that all residents will create an inclusive room for students regardless of identity. If you identify as Queer and want further support, the Pride Center can be reached here.
• Let us know if you plan to request a disability-related accommodation from the Disability Resource Center (DRC). 
• Let us know if you plan to stay on campus for Winter Break, Dec. 13-Jan. 4, 2026. Winter Break housing not included in your housing contract, and so an additional fee applies if you choose to stay.
• Apply for a housing exemption (for students who meet certain qualifying factors)

Step 3: Pick your room starting June 19

Choose Your Room!

If you completed your housing application by June 1, you will be emailed an appointment date and time to select your space. Appointments are determined by lottery and group size and may not be the same as others in your roommate group.

• Three-person groups will go first, followed by two-person groups and then individuals.
• Viewable spaces are based on your RLC preference, which you select in the housing application.
• Cal Poly Scholars and EOP and TRIO participants will see and be able to select from rooms in the RLC for their program. Honors students who choose the Honors RLC will see rooms in that community. Students in all of these programs can add roommates, regardless of their roommates' affiliation.
• Since some communities fill quickly, preferences are not guaranteed. If your preferred community fills, you will see other available spaces.
• The vast majority of rooms are triple occupancy. There are some quintuples and a few doubles.

Step 4: Change rooms from July 21-Aug. 6

Change Rooms
Individuals can change rooms in the Housing Portal, based on availability. Students cannot change rooms for their whole group or other individuals.

Newly Admitted First-year Students

Individuals admitted after June 1 will be assigned by University Housing after the room change window.  Assignments will be viewable in the Housing Portal after Aug. 9.  Students will not be able to select roommates as the deadline was June 1. RLCs may not be guaranteed.

Step 5: Prep for fall

• View your Housing fees on Aug. 14
• The last day to cancel housing is Aug. 12
• Reserve your Mustang Move-in Appointment on Aug.;
• Make your first payment on Sept. 1
• Mustang Move-In for new students is scheduled for Thursday Sept. 11 and Friday Sept. 12