Incoming Student Housing Process

Welcome to the CSU Residential Communities!

We are so excited that you have chosen CSU! The following information has been developed to aid our incoming students and families in navigating the Incoming Student Housing Process for Fall 2025-2026. If you have any questions after reviewing the information, please email us at reslife@csuohio.edu.

 Access the Housing Self-Service starting December 16: You will need to use your CSU ID login (ex: 1234567@vikes.csuohio.edu) and password. If you need help with your password, call the Information Services & Technology (IS&T) Help Desk at 216.687.5050 during normal business hours.

 Complete Phase 1 of the Incoming Student Housing Process by June 1st: During this phase of the process, you will review the Housing Contract (opens December 16, 2025) and electronically sign acknowledging you accept the terms. You will also complete your housing questionnaire which will help you find your first college roommate. Utilize the Incoming Student Contract Guide to complete your Housing Contract. Students who are in need of housing accommodations must submit their request to the Office of Disability Services (ODS) for review and for approval. Once approved, ODS will notify the Department of Residence Life and Housing and will proceed from there. Visit the ODS Register with Us page to start the process. The priority deadline for incoming student housing accommodations is June 1, 2025.

 Complete Required Immunization Form by June 1st: Log onto Housing Self-Service and submit your Immunization Form. Click on "Apps & Forms" and click "Immunization Form". Be sure to complete page one (agreement) and page 2 (required information). All new residential students will need to complete this requirement. This includes incoming first-year students and transfer students. 

 Complete Phase 2 of the Housing Process (Roommate Selection & Matching) starting May 15, 2025: During this phase, you will find or confirm your roommate through the "Housing Self-Service" portal. Utilize the Incoming Student Roommate Matching Guide to complete this step in the process. All roommate requests will need to be mutual, meaning, each student must request each other. You can bypass this phase if you would like the system to match you based on the answers you provided in your housing questionnaire. Students will need to select/confirm their roommate by June 13, 2025.

 Complete Phase 3 of the Housing Process (Room Selection) starting June 23 - June 27, 2025: During this phase, students will be able to view available rooms and self-select where they would like to live. We strongly encourage all first year students to pick their own room, but there will be the option for traditional placement as well. Utilize the Incoming Student Room Selection Guide to complete this step in the process.

 Receive Your Housing Assignment and Move-In Information on August 1, 2025: An email will be sent to students on or by August 1st notifying them of their housing assignment and roommate information. Move-In/Opening information will also be provided at that time.

 Complete All Financial Aid Requirements by August 7th: Navigating the financial aid process from start to finish can be confusing. To ensure that you have completed all the necessary steps for completing your financial aid requirements, we strongly encourage students to visit the Financial Aid website for step-by-step instructions. 

 Sign-Up for Health Insurance or Complete Your Waiver by Friday August 9th: CSU requires all students to sign up for the student health insurance plan through their Campus Net account. Select the health tab and then follow the instructions to sign up for the insurance level and time period that you choose. Students can submit a waiver for health insurance using the Domestic Student Residence Hall and Health Care Student Waivers. If you are an international student and would like to waive your health insurance, you will need to complete the Insurance Waiver for International Students.

 Submit Your Viking ID Card Photo by August 18th: At least 24 hours after you have registered for your Fall 2024 classes, you will need to upload and submit your photo to the Viking Card Office so your Viking Card can be created. Step-by-step instructions can be found here. You will need your Viking ID Card for meals and to access your residential community.

 Confirm Your Meal Plan: All residents living in university housing are required to have a residential meal plan for the entire academic year. All incoming students will be automatically enrolled in the Green & White Meal Plan by default. Starting July 29th, students will be able to log on to Housing Self-Service to change their meal plan if they are looking for other options. More information regarding the 2024-2025 Meal Plans can be found here.

 Secure Your Residential Student Parking Pass starting August 1st: If you will have a vehicle on campus, be sure to secure your residential student parking pass beginning August 1st by starting the process on the On Campus Resident Parking webpage. Residential students living in Euclid Commons are able to purchase Prospect Garage parking passes.

 Mark Your Calendars and Start Making Your Move-In List!: Move-In Day for Incoming Students starts August 21, 2025. More information regarding the move-in process will be sent via email on August 1st with your housing assignment. Please review our What to Pack webpage for a list of acceptable and prohibited items.