Housing
Housing Information and Applications
Academic Year 2026-2027 Housing Applications Open Tuesday, February 3, 2026!
2026-2027 Academic Year Housing
The Housing Application will open for new, incoming fall 2026 students who have accepted their admission to CWU on February 3, 2026. New students will be able to access their application, contract, and room selection through the MyHousing portal AFTER they have accepted their CWU admission.
- Students must accept their admission to CWU before they can begin signing up for housing. (Check your email and click the "big red button"!)
- All first year students are required to live on campus for one full academic year.
- If the $200 housing application fee is creating a barrier to your signing up for housing, please read our section below on deferment of your housing application fee.
- 2026-2027 Application Guide
Priority Selection Information
Priority Selection for current students living in the residence halls opens for the 2026-2027 school year on January 12, 2026. Returning students can complete a 2026-2027 Room and Board Contract and select their residence hall room for the coming year. For more information, see our Priority Selection webpage.
Winter Quarter 2026 Housing
The Housing Application for incoming students for winter quarter 2026 will open on Thurs., November 13, 2025. Students who have accepted their admission to CWU can access their application and contract through the MyHousing portal.
- Students must accept their admission to CWU before they can begin signing up for housing.
- When you fill out your application, indicate your room type preference. We will place you in an open room and add the assignment to your MyHousing portal page.
- Winter Quarter move-in day will be Sunday, January 4 starting at 12 noon. Report to the front entrance of your residence hall and call the "On-Call" phone number to get checked in.
- If the $200 housing application fee is creating a barrier to your signing up for housing, please read our section below on deferment of your housing application fee.
Spring Quarter 2026 Housing
The Housing Application for incoming students for spring quarter 2026 will open on Wed., February 11, 2026. Students who have accepted their admission to CWU can access their application and contract through the MyHousing portal.
- Students must accept their admission to CWU before they can begin signing up for housing.
- When you fill out your application, indicate your room type preference. We will place you in an open room and add the assignment to your MyHousing portal page.
- Spring Quarter move-in day will be Sunday, March 29 starting at 12 noon. Report to the front entrance of your residence hall and call the "On-Call" phone number to get checked in.
- If the $200 housing application fee is creating a barrier to your signing up for housing, please read our section below on deferment of your housing application fee.
Applying for Campus Housing
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Steps to Apply for On-Campus Housing
Students who are 18 years-of-age or older may proceed with the steps below.
- Login to the MyHousing Portal. (If you get a black spinning circle, refresh your browser, and try again.)
- Click on the "Applications" tab on the left side of the page.
- Select the "Residence Hall First Year (Fall 2025)" application.
- Complete all required sections of the application.
- Select your room preference. Room self-selection closed June 1, 2025. Students will be assigned to their preferred room type on a first-come-first-served basis.
This completes your housing application and contract. Once these steps are complete, your room selection will proceed as indicated below.
Room Selection- Fall 2026 Residence Hall Room Selection - From Feb. 3, 2026 to May 31, 2026, you can self-select your residence hall room and make as many changes to your room selection as you'd like. After June 1, you will select your room preference in the MyHousing portal. Students will be assigned to their preferred room type on a first-come-first-served basis.
Should your housing needs change or for more information on deferment of your $200 application fee, please contact the Housing Services office at 509-963-1831 or send an email.
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Application Steps - Under 18 Years Old
Students who are younger than 18 years-of-age may wait until they turn 18 to complete their Housing application, or they may proceed with the steps below with the assistance of a parent or guardian.
- Login to the MyHousing Portal. (If you get a black spinning circle, refresh your browser, and try again.)
- Click on the "Applications" tab on the left side of the page.
- Select the "Residence Hall First Year (Fall 2025)" application.
- Complete all required sections of the application.
- Select your room preference.
- Your guardian will receive an email with a verification code.
- The guardian will click on the link provided in the email and enter the verification code to formally complete your housing application.
This completes your housing application and contract. Once these steps are complete, your room selection will proceed as indicated below.
Room Selection- Fall 2026 Residence Hall Room Selection - From Feb. 3, 2026 to May 31, 2026, you can self-select your residence hall room and make as many changes to your room selection as you'd like. After June 1, you will select your room preference in the MyHousing portal. Students will be assigned to their preferred room type on a first-come-first-served basis.
- Incoming Students for Winter Quarter 2026 - Your room assignment will be available in MyHousing approximately two (2) weeks after you complete your application.
Should your housing needs change or for more information on deferment of your $200 application fee, please contact the Housing Services office at 509-963-1831 or send an email.
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Application Steps - Living Learning Community
- Complete a housing application for the applicable academic year in MyHousing.
- Within the housing application, indicate that you are interested in living in an LLC and select the LLC you'd like to live in from the dropdown menu by June 1, 2026.
- Self-select a room in any available residence hall. This will ensure that you have a room for the year if your LLC choice is full or has a waitlist.
- Your LLC application will be reviewed by the LLC coordinator. This usually takes one week or less.
- Students approved to join an LLC will receive an email notification that they have been accepted to the LLC and placed in a room in the LLCs residence hall location.
- After being accepted to an LLC, the student will be placed into a room in that LLC. If a student decides they do not want to live in an LLC, they will need to contact the Housing Services office at housing@cwu.edu.
- LLC spaces are available on a first-come-first-serve basis, and LLC placements usually conclude by June 1, 2026.
Residence Hall Application Important Dates
All students who apply to live on campus for the 2026-27 Academic Year will be able to sign up for their room, select a meal plan, and pay the $200 application fee ($100 non refundable and $100 as a pre-payment that will be assessed on your student account at move-in). Sign up before June 1, 2026 for the ability to self-select your room. Please be aware, the completion of this application legally binds you to the Room and Board Contract for the entire school year. Read the terms and conditions of the application and contract carefully before submission.
- January 12 - January 25, 2026: Returning Student Priority Selection for coming Fall Quarter
- January 12 - January 25, 2026: Returning on-campus apartment same room/unit selection
- February 3, 2026: Apartment applications open for eligible students
- February 3, 2026: Residence Hall Application opens for all students (new and returning) for 2025-2026 Housing selection
- May 31, 2026: Residence Hall room self-selection ends
- June 1, 2026 through the start of Academic Year: Students select a room type preference and are placed on a first-come-first-served basis.
First-Year Live On Requirement
Central Washington University follows the guidance of the Washington Administrative Code. The WAC policy requires that all students under the age of 20, living outside of a commutable distance with a direct relative, having completed less than three quarters or two semesters of college credits post high school (Running Start credits do not count), or that are unmarried, must live in the residence halls. See the complete policy to know if you are required to live on campus or not.
Deferment of $200 Housing Application Fee
Students who demonstrate a high level of financial need may qualify to have their housing application fee postponed and applied to their first tuition bill. Requests for deferral are granted only in cases of financial hardship and based upon your Pell Grant eligibility and Student Aid Index. To request a deferment, please email housing@cwu.edu from your CWU email address, and we can help you through the process. Deferments can take a few days to a few weeks to be approved.
First-Year Housing Exemption Request
If you are an incoming student and would like to request an exemption to the on-campus residency requirement, please download the Exemption Request Form, fill it out, and return it to housing@cwu.edu. Exemptions are generally granted for students who live within a 45-minute radius of campus or who are living in Ellensburg with immediate family.
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