How do I apply for housing?
The UCA Housing application is now online!
To apply:
1. Log into my.uca.edu
2. Click on the MyHousing Portal
3. Select ‘My Housing Applications’
4. Select the appropriate Term Session from the drop down menu
6. Follow the prompts within the housing application
7. Pay the $100 Housing Deposit
8. Select ‘Complete Application’ after the deposit is paid
Where can I find the Application?
The Housing Application and contract can be found on my.uca.edu – Once you are admitted to UCA, you will be given a login and password for the my.uca.edu webpage and will be able to access the MyHousing Portal to complete the application.
How can I pay the $100.00 Deposit?
You will pay the deposit as a part of the application process in the Academic Year Housing application on my.uca.edu – you must select ‘Complete Application’ after the deposit has been paid.
How do I select my room?
Freshmen will be assigned a room based on their major, room preferences, roommate preference or questions, and prefer roommate/room question selected within the Housing Application. Freshmen students cannot select their room, but can list their top four room preferences within the Housing Application.
Returning residents can participate in DIBS and Pick-a-Room.
Is there a deadline to apply?
There is not a deadline for applying but we encourage you to apply early so that we have opportunities to meet your preferences.
Freshmen Priority Date: April 1st
Returners DIBS Deadline: End of February (exact date is emailed to students & updated here)
Returners Pick-a-Room Deadline: Mid-March (exact date is emailed to students & updated here)
What is a housing contract?
Just like a contract for an off campus apartment, the housing contract lists the terms and conditions of the agreement. You must sign an academic year contract in order to live on campus. The contract covers the entire academic year not just the semester under which it was submitted. We strongly suggest that you read your contract completely and make sure you understand all terms, conditions, and penalties prior to signing your contract . This is a legally binding document and the information stated within it is important to know.
What does the housing deposit do?
The deposit acts as a placeholder for your room assignment and will be refunded back when you leave on-campus housing (pending assessment charges and checkout processes).
Will I get the deposit back?
Cancel before moving in: If you decide not to attend UCA or live in campus housing, you can receive a refund of your deposit if you cancel by May 10th. You can receive a refund of 50% of your deposit, if you cancel by July 10th. If you cancel after July 10th, you will not receive any of your deposit back. If you do not cancel by the start date of your contract, you will be charged the $425 contract buy out fee in addition to forfeiting your deposit.
Current Students already moved into housing: If you are leaving at any time during your contract period you will NOT get your deposit back. If you are leaving housing at the end of the academic year, you will get your deposit back provided you are not returning to housing. Deposits after May move-out take about one month to be returned.
How do I cancel my housing application?
You can request to cancel your housing application by following the steps below:
Log into MyUCA – MyHousing – My Housing Applications – Select the term – Select “Cancel Housing Application” – Follow the prompts until you receive a confirmation email.
Cancellations take one month to process. This will be the length of time to get your deposit back as it its the final step. If you cancel by May 10th, you will receive your full deposit back. If you cancel by July 10th, you will receive 50% of your deposit back. If you cancel after July 10th, you will not receive a deposit refund. If you cancel after the start date of the contact, you will not receive a deposit refund and will be charged the $425 Contract Buyout fee.
If you are cancelling the Spring-Only housing application, you will not receive a deposit refund.
If you are leaving UCA, remember to let Admissions (for freshman & transfers) / Registrar (for upperclassmen) and Financial Aid know too.
Deferring to Spring will require a new application for Spring-Only housing that opens in mid-October. We can keep your deposit on file upon request but only for one semester.
When will I find out my room assignment?
For freshmen applying for the Fall 2027 semester, if you apply by April 1, you will know your assignment by your SOAR date, depending on room availability and the date of which you submitted your application. All applications are processed in the order in which they were received. If you apply after April 1, you will know your assignment before move-in. Freshmen are guaranteed housing.
For upperclassmen and transfers that do not select a room during DIBS or Pick-a-Room, we assign based on cancelled applications. Upperclassmen housing is not guaranteed but we do our best to get all assigned before move-in.
Can I change my room?
Yes, but changes take place after move-in. After move-in, housing will conduct a no show process. An email will go out stating room changes are open with a form to fill out. Room changes are based on when spaces are available. The timing of this changes each year since it is based on availability. It is normally around the end of September or beginning of October.
Is it a good idea for me to talk to my roommate before I move in?
YES! Conversing with your roommate whether by phone, social media, or email is a great idea. It lets you get to know the person and also provides a way for you to decide who is bringing what. Your roommate’s UCA email will be listed in the MyHousing portal under My Room to start the introduction. There are some students that are not checking their UCA email before move-in and some that do not respond.
Can I decorate my room?
Your room is your home, at least for nine months, so you can decorate within reason. Plants, rugs, posters, fish in small aquariums, etc. are all acceptable. Keep in mind that UCA furniture must remain in the room and is not to be removed for any reason. Also, be careful how you hang items on the walls to not create damage at move-out. See more details in the Student Handbook.
What are Safety and Cleaning Checks?
Each resident is responsible for cleaning his or her own room and or apartment, and a minimum standard of cleanliness is expected from all residents. Monthly safety and cleaning checks will be conducted during the first week of each month and prior to all breaks. The purpose of these checks is to address any maintenance issues, cleanliness, and safety concerns. See the Student Handbook for more details.
What are you checking for during Safety and Cleaning Checks?
Our goal is to check for cleanliness and safety, not neatness. For example, we are looking to make sure:
- Trash has been taken out.
- There are no open food containers or other items that could attract pests.
- There are no policy violations.
- There are no major maintenance or safety concerns.
- ESA/Service animal cleanliness and care.
Your room does not need to be perfectly organized or spotless. We are simply looking for a clean, safe living environment.
What are the Quiet Hours?
Quiet hours are from 10:00 P.M. to 10:00 A.M. daily. Courtesy Quiet Hours are in effect at all times, and residents are expected to be aware that their actions and behaviors affect other community residents. Residents should assume that other residents may be either sleeping or studying and conduct themselves in such a manner as not to disturb anyone. Noise heard more than one door down or outside the apartment is considered too loud.
Outdoor quiet hours from 10:00 P.M. to 7:00 A.M., Sunday through Thursday, and from 11:00 P.M. to 7:00 A.M. on Friday and Saturday. Areas subject to outside noise policy include, but are not limited to, parking lots, lobbies, and areas surrounding residence halls and apartment complexes.. The purpose of outdoor quiet hours is to provide a reasonable environment for academic pursuits.
Special finals quiet hours are established to promote maximum studying during finals week. Finals quiet hours begin the Thursday before finals begin and last throughout finals week. Any noise that can be heard outside of the confines of a room or apartment will result in an automatic documentation by a residence life staff member.
See the Student Handbook for more details.
Are guest/visitors allowed?
Residents are welcome to bring guests (maximum of two per resident at a time during visitation hours) into the residence facilities. All Housing policies must be observed and guests must be escorted at all times by the student they are visiting. Guests must use the public bathrooms located off of the lobby if the resident does not have access to a private or suite style bathroom. Residents are responsible for the behavior of their guest(s) at all times – if a guest violates University or Housing policies, the resident may be held responsible. Guests must not infringe on the rights of roommates or other residents. Visitation hours are 10 A.M. – 2 A.M. Sunday through Thursday and 10 A.M. – 3 A.M. Friday and Saturday. Beyond those hours residents are welcome to bring a maximum of one overnight guest of the same sex into the residence facilities per night. In the case of double rooms or apartments, prior consent of all roommates or suitemates is required. Guests are limited to three overnight visits in an academic year. Visits of greater than three nights, even with breaks in between or in different resident’s rooms or apartments, are prohibited.
See the Student Handbook for more details.
Can we get items delivered to on campus housing locations?
All packages should be sent to the student’s UCA Post Office Box address. All packages not claimed within 10 days will be returned to the sender.
Food and grocery deliveries should only be placed when the resident is available and in a location where they can receive the delivery. Delivery drivers are not permitted to deliver food or grocery orders to Residence Hall lobbies as the doors are locked 24/7.