Home » Campus Life » University Housing » Apply » First Year & New Students

First Year & New Student Application Process

The detailed information on this page was created for first-year/new students entering fall 2023. While some details may change for 2024, this information provides an overview of the process.

Welcome, new Bearcat! University Housing is looking forward to meeting all of you and your classmates. Living in University Housing is a fun and rewarding experience, and it all starts with your application via the housing portal. Review the process and timelines below. How-to videos accompany each process.

Quick Links

housing portal terms & conditions 2023-24 Plan for Uptown Housing in 2023-24 and Beyond essential services for new students

2023-24 Housing Assignment Requirements for First-year and New Students

During summer 2023, housing assignments for incoming first-year and new students will be processed in three main groups. The requirements and corresponding deadlines for each group are listed below. 

Please note: In addition to the action items mentioned for each assignment group, all applicants must complete the following to be eligible for university housing:

  • By May 4, submitted your housing application
  • Through August 1, maintain registration of at least 3 credit hours

Uptown Campus first-year and new students seeking to receive their housing assignment the week of June 12 must complete the following requirements:

  1. By June 5, student must have already attended a Virtual Advising Prep Session (VAPS),
    (Students may register for a session via the Bearcat Portal);
  2. By June 5, student must have scheduled a session with their academic advisor to occur prior to June 30;
  3. If student has already attended both their VAPS and academic advising sessions by June 5, student must be registered for classes (students must take at least 3 credit hours); and
  4. By June 5, student must have paid their university confirmation fee. 

Blue Ash Campus first-year and new students seeking to receive their housing assignment the week of June 12 must complete the following requirements:

  1. By June 5, student must have already registered for UCBA Orientation,
    (Students may register for Orientation via the Bearcat Portal); and
  2. By June 5, student must have paid their university confirmation fee. 

Uptown Campus first-year and new students seeking to receive their housing assignment the week of July 17 must complete the following requirements:

  1. By July 7, student must be registered for classes (students must take at least 3 credit hours); and
  2. By July 7, student must have paid their university confirmation fee. 

Note: To register for classes, students must have previously attended a Virtual Advising Prep Session (VAPS) and met with their academic advisor.  

Blue Ash Campus first-year and new students seeking to receive their housing assignment the week of June 17 must complete the following requirements:

  1. By July 7, student must have already registered for UCBA Orientation,
    (Students may register for Orientation via the Bearcat Portal); and
  2. By July 7, student must have paid their university confirmation fee. 

Uptown Campus first-year and new students seeking to receive their housing assignment must complete the following requirements by Monday of the week before:
(For example, students seeking assignment the week of July 24 must complete action items by July 17)

  1. By previous Monday, student must be registered for classes (Students must take at least 3 credit hours) and
  2. By previous Monday, student must have paid their university confirmation fee. 

Note: To register for classes, students must have previously attended a Virtual Advising Prep Session (VAPS) and met with their academic advisor.  

Complete Application

Housing Application Closed May 4, 2023

Students who would like to be added to the waitlist may do so in the housing portal.

Beginning January 23, if you have accepted Admission* to the university, you will be able to access the housing application. First-year students residing outside 50-mile radius of main campus are required to live in university housing.

The application includes how to:

  • Verify/submit general information
  • Select your meal plan.
    • The All-Access meal plan is required for first-year residential students
    • First-year residential students are identified in Catalyst by their Tuition Guarantee Cohort, and not based on the number of college credit hours earned
  • Accept Terms & Conditions
    • If under 18, review Proxy Signature video
  • Submit non-refundable $100 application fee. Applications are not considered complete until the fee is paid.

*It may take up to three business days after Admission acceptance to be able to access the Housing application.

May 3, at 5 p.m., is the priority deadline for submitting a housing application. Those who submit after this date are still eligible for housing, but may be subject to the waitlist process.

Communities at a glance

How-to Videos

How to Apply for Housing

Housing Application Process Video Description
The above video contains information about all the required steps for completing your housing application. If you complete the steps in this video prior to the May 3 priority deadline, you will receive a housing assignment. 
Want to Skip to a Specific Topic?
  • Personal details 1:30
  • Accessibility accommodation process 2:50
  • Review information regarding the university immunization policy 3:24
  • Accept the Housing Terms and Conditions 3:55
    • Signing Housing Agreement for students under 18 – discussed in separate video below 4:47
  • Application fee 5:14

If You're Under 18

Housing Application Part 2

Housing Application Part 2 Video Description

This video is Part 2 of the housing application walkthrough. If you complete all the steps in Part 1, you will receive a housing assignment. This video explores remaining steps you may complete. These steps are optional, including: Meal Plan; Special Interest Living; Roommate Profile and Roommates; Room Preferences; and Application Status and Booking. In addition, the Move-in Timeslot step is reviewed; it typically opens in July.

Want to Skip to a Specific Topic?
  • Meal Plan 0:37
  • Special Interest Living - Living-Learning Communities (LLCs) 1:07
  • Next Steps 1:51
  • Roommate Profile 2:27
  • Roommates 2:50
  • Room Preferences 3:18
  • Application Status and Booking Summary 4:12
  • Move-in Appointment Timeslot 5:05

Additional How-to Videos

  • Apply for a Living-Learning Community (LLC), if desired.
    • You may apply when completing the housing application. Honors or other LLC sponsors will notifiy you later if you are accepted into the housing community.
  • Complete roommate profile, and/or roommate group, if desired.

Applying for a Living-Learning Community

How to Complete Your Roommate Profile and Join a Roommate Group

  • Note: Roommate groups are capped at 2 people (yourself and 1 roommate request). 

Changing Roommate Group Leader and Verifying Group

  • Note: Roommate groups are capped at 2 people (yourself and 1 roommate request). 

Move-in Appointment

Move-in can be a hectic time for you and your family. However, when everyone moves in by appointment, it spreads out traffic congestion, and makes the process go more smoothly.

  • You must reserve a move-in appointment via the housing portal in mid-July/early-August
  • You will be notified via your UC-issued email when the appointment scheduler opens
  • Our Family Move-in Guide with complete details will be mailed to your permanent address on file in early August
  • Check our Move-in/Move-out page for tips on what to bring and what not to bring

How-to Video

How to Select Your Move-in Appointment

Contacting Us

We know you may have more questions. Try reviewing our Applying FAQ or Resources before calling or sending an email.

  • Our phone system allows for a callback request if you do not want to wait.
  • We appreciate your patience while we work diligently to respond to inquiries during this busy time. If you have left a callback request on our phone system, be assured you will remain in the queue until we have contacted you.
  • If you send an email during a high volume time, you can expect a response within 48 hours
Phone: 513-556-6461 Email: uchousing@uc.edu