Housing Timeline
When to Apply for Housing
Western uses the quarter system and new students start each quarter. Check the timeline for fall, winter, or spring admission.
New students starting at the university in spring or summer should plan to submit two housing applications: one for spring/summer housing, and one for housing during the academic-year starting in fall quarter.
For more information on this, contact Housing at housing@wwu.edu.
1. Apply for housing
Once the online housing application opens you can apply for housing. Select the application for the term you’ve been admitted, then complete the housing application. Select your housing preferences, take a roommate survey, and accept the Housing Agreement. After you submit your application you can track your status in MyHousing. Late applications may be subject to temporary assignment or space availability.
Applications received after the priority application period are offered on a space available basis.
For Winter/Spring applicants, students will select their meal plan during the application process.
Priority Application Period:
Fall Quarter:
Feb 1 - May 1
Winter Quarter
Oct. 15 - Nov. 30
Spring Quarter
Jan. 15 - March 1
2. Check MyHousing for housing prepayment notice
Housing applicants who have confirmed admission will be prompted in MyHousing to pay the $250 housing prepayment. Do not pay until you receive notice of housing prepayment due; early payments will be returned.
Notification Begins:
Fall Quarter
Mid-February
Winter Quarter
Early December
Spring Quarter
Early March
3. Pay your housing prepayment online or by mail
Once you’ve received the message in MyHousing that your housing prepayment is due, follow the instructions to pay. Check your housing prepayment status in MyHousing a few business days after submitting or mailing your payment to make sure it goes through. If you have not paid by the deadline, we will cancel your application.
Payment Deadline:
Fall Quarter
June 30
Winter Quarter
Dec. 15
Spring Quarter
March 15
4. Explore Roommate Manager
Roommate Manager is only available for incoming Fall residents. Once applicants submit the $250 housing prepayment, they become eligible to use Roommate Manager in the MyHousing portal, where they can search for a compatible roommate and create a roommate group.
Roommate Manager Available:
Fall Quarter
Mid-February – June 30
5. Check for room selection & assignment
Room Selection is only available for incoming Fall residents. Opening times are based upon the size of your group, your Housing priority date and if you have asked for a themed community. If you do not select a room by the room selection deadline, we will assign your room. Visit Room Selection for more information. Please note: Fall 2025 residents will select a meal plan during Room Selection.
For Winter/Spring arrivals, we will post information about your room assignment in your housing portal. Be sure to touch base with your room/suitemates to get acquainted and discuss what each of you plans to bring for your room.
The date you applied for admission to Western will serve as your priority date for room selection and during the assignment process, not the date you applied for housing.
Room Selection & Assignments:
Fall Quarter
July 15 – August 15 | Room Selection
Aug. 16 – 31 | Assignments made for students who do not select a room
Winter Quarter
Rooms assigned late December
Spring Quarter
Rooms assigned late March
Requirements & Eligibility
New students who complete the housing application process by the appropriate deadlines are prioritized for housing their first year at Western (or for the rest of the academic year if admitted mid-year).
To live on campus, undergraduate students must be enrolled in a minimum of eight credits per quarter during the academic year, and five credits during summer quarter.
When you apply, you also accept Western’s Housing Agreement. The contract states that you plan to live on campus from your move in date through the end of the academic year. Moving out before the end of the school year will result in a contract breakage fee, except in cases of graduation, school withdrawal, study abroad or internship.
While new Western students receive housing priority, University Residences may grant housing requests to other student applicants as space allows.
Housing Appeals
University Residences provides an avenue for students who experience contractual difficulties (such as Housing Application on hold due to space availability, disagreement with the assessment of a housing charge against their account, etc.).
For more information visit Housing Appeals.