HOUSING TIMELINE
When to Apply for Housing
Western uses the quarter system and new students start each quarter. The housing process differs for students incoming for fall quarter and students starting in winter/spring. Follow the steps below depending on which quarter you are applying for!
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.
Incoming or Returning for Fall
First-Come Basis
For both incoming students and returning residents, the earlier you apply and confirm with the $250 housing prepayment, the sooner you gain access to room selection. This means more time to explore available rooms—and more options to choose from! Your prepayment guarantees your spot in on-campus housing.
Follow the four steps below to confirm your housing and claim your ideal spot!
1. Apply for Housing
The priority period to apply is Feb 1 - May 1
Once the online housing application opens on Feb 1, you can apply for housing. Select the application for Academic Year 2026-2027 and complete the housing application. Select your housing preferences, take a roommate survey, and accept the Housing Agreement.
Housing offers are sent after applications are processed and as space allows, so timing may vary. Be sure to check your WWU email and MyHousing portal for updates. Late applications may be subject to temporary assignment or space availability.
2. Submit Housing Prepayment
The prepayment deadline is June 30
Housing applicants who have confirmed admission will be prompted in MyHousing to pay the $250 housing prepayment. Once you’ve received the message that your housing prepayment is due, follow the instructions to pay.
Your prepayment guarantees your spot in on-campus housing, and the $250 will be applied to your fall quarter charges. If you have not paid by the June 30 deadline, we will cancel your application.
3. Roommate Manager
Roommate Manager is available from when you submit your prepayment through June 30
Roommate Manager is only available for incoming & returning Fall residents. Once you submit the $250 housing prepayment, you become eligible to use Roommate Manager in the MyHousing portal, where you can search for a compatible roommate.
To be roommates with a specific student, you will want to select the same room while Room Selection is open in MyHousing. For more information, visit Roommate Options.
4. Room Selection
Room Selection is available from when you submit your prepayment through June 30
Room Selection is only available for incoming & returning Fall residents. Once you submit the $250 housing prepayment in the MyHousing portal, you'll gain access to the Room Selection tab and can select your room.
Room availability will shift through June 30 as additional space becomes available. We typically review and release more rooms on Fridays (when space allows), so checking the portal then is great way to see any new options! New room openings may also appear throughout the week as other students cancel or update their selections.
You may view options and change your room until June 30. If you don’t select a room by then, we’ll assign one for you. Visit Room Selection for more information.
You will select a meal plan during Room Selection. For meal plan options, visit Dine On Campus.
Incoming for Winter or Spring
Winter and Spring Application Process
All incoming students who meet the deadlines are guaranteed a spot in on-campus housing. Follow the three steps below to apply for housing for a winter or spring quarter arrival.
1. Apply for Housing
The priority period to apply:
- Winter: Oct 15 - Nov 30
- Spring: Jan 15 - Mar 1
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.
2. Submit Housing Prepayment
The prepayment deadline:
- Winter: Dec 15
- Spring: Mar 15
Housing applicants who have confirmed admission will be prompted in MyHousing to pay the $250 housing prepayment. Once you’ve received the message that your housing prepayment is due, follow the instructions to pay.
Submitting your prepayment secures your spot in on-campus housing. The $250 will be applied towards your winter/spring quarter charges. If you have not paid by the deadline, we will cancel your application.
3. Room Assignment
Your room assignment will be posted:
- Winter: late December
- Spring: late March
You will select a meal plan as part of the application process. For meal plan options, visit Dine On Campus.
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.
Cancellation Fees
There are no penalties for cancelling prior to submitting your $250 prepayment. Once you have submitted the $250 prepayment, the following cancellation fees apply:
| Fall Housing Application Cancellation Timeline | Cancellation Fee |
| Cancel housing application within 30 days of prepayment | Forfeit of $250 prepayment |
| Cancel housing application after 30 days of prepayment | $200 + forfeit of $250 prepayment |
| Cancel housing application after 60 days of prepayment | $400 + forfeit of $250 prepayment |
| Winter & Spring Housing Application Cancellation | Cancellation Fee |
| Cancellation prior to occupancy | Forfeit of $250 prepayment |
Students with an approved prepayment waiver are still subject to any cancellation fees.
To cancel your housing application, log into the MyHousing portal and navigate to the 'Apply for Housing' tab. Click on the "Need to cancel a housing application? Click here" button. For the application you'd like to cancel (e.g. 2026-2027 academic year), click the "request cancellation" button. Please provide the reason you are cancelling, and finalize your request to cancel by hitting the "submit cancellation request" button.
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