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First-year Student Housing

freshman

Updated Feb. 23, 2024

Welcome to Cal Poly! We're excited for you to join our campus community.

At Cal Poly, all students live on campus their first year in one of our residence halls which feature triple and quintuple rooms. There are also a small number of double rooms. Students who are part of the University's two-year housing program also live on campus their second year, in Cerro Vista or Poly Canyon Village Apartments. 

Dates and events are subject to change without notice. Please check frequently.

Steps to Secure Housing

Since housing is assured for first-year students, it is not first come, first served. The application opened to newly admitted students at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, April 9. We encourage you to sign up by June 1 to participate in room selection.

All steps to secure housing are completed through the Housing Portal on MyCalPoly. View fees here.

STEP 1:  ACCEPT YOUR CAL POLY OFFER OF ADMISSION

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STEP

By mAY 1

 

 

Accept Your Offer
Only students who accept Cal Poly's offer of Admission through MyCalPoly can sign up for campus housing when the application opens on April 9.

 

It takes 1-2 business days after you accept your offer of admission to view the Housing applicationIf you accept by April 1, you can apply on April 9.

STEP 2:  SIGN UP FOR HOUSING

date

STEP

 

Starting

April 9 at 9 a.m. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sign Up for Housing or  Request an Exemption
In specific situations, students can apply for an exemption from the first-year housing requirement. Learn more hereIn 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. 

    Cal Poly Scholars and EOP and TRIO participants live in the community provided specifically for their programs, regardless of the RLC requested on the Housing application. Roommates can also live in these communities. Honors students can live in the Honors RLC but it's not a requirement of the Honors Program. Roommates of Honors Program participants can also live in the Honors community.
     
  • 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. 14-Jan. 5, 2025. Winter Break housing not included in your housing contract, and so an additional fee applies if you choose to stay.

STEP 3: FINALIZE  YOUR LIVING PREFERENCES 

date

STEP

JUNE 16      

Last day to edit your housing preferences
Edit preferences in your Housing application by returning to the Housing Portal on MyCalPoly. 
  • You may edit your preferences, even if you have already submitted a completed application. 
  • Remember update your roommate request(s).

STEP 4: CHOOSE YOUR ROOM!

   

July, 

8-24

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Choose Your Room! 
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 quads and a few doubles. 

Aug.

1-7


         

 

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 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

date

STEP

Aug. 15

View Your Housing Fees
Fees post to your Student Account in MyCalPoly. 

Aug. 18

 

Last Day to Cancel Housing
Canceling with 30 days ensures you avoid fees ($10 per day) for lack of notice. 

AugUST
 

Reserve Your Mustang Move-in Appointment starting at 9 a.m.
Sign up in your Housing Portal.

SEPT. 1

 

Make your first housing payment
Pay in full for the academic year, or make your quarterly or monthly installment. 

SEptEMBER

Mustang Move-in for new students
Most new students will move in mid-September.

Cancellations

The Student Housing License Agreement is a binding legal contract for the Academic Year. A student is expected to honor the License Agreement for the duration of the agreement. It is the student’s responsibility to personally notify University Housing, in writing via the online Housing Cancellation form, if they plan to leave the University or vacate housing for an approved and verified reason. All cancellation information is located here

Winter and Spring Housing

Learn more here about signing up for winter and spring housing. 

Summer Housing

Staying on campus to get ahead on classes during the summer? We offer summer housing!

Related Content

The Future of Housing

View Plans

Diversity & Inclusion

We are committed to creating equitable communities for all residents, staff and guests.

Find out how

Get Involved with Housing

Let's go!