General Housing Application FAQ
All system campuses are in the same system. Because the other campuses do not require
an enrollment deposit, you are automatically admitted to the campus you are first
accepted to. In order for Columbia to be your campus, you must first cancel your enrollment at
any other system campus you may have been admitted to.
If you have applied to another USC campus for summer or fall 2026 freshman admission,
you must cancel your application(s) to the other campus(es) before you can apply for on-campus housing and register for New Student Orientation.
University Housing provides current rates online for students and parents to review and new rates for the following year typically update in late spring.
Yes, all first-year students are guaranteed housing at Carolina. Simply apply for University Housing prior to May 5, 2026 to still have all of your options for room selection.
Yes, the University of South Carolina has a mandatory live on requirement for all new first-year students. Students that have special circumstances may request a release from this requirement by contacting the main housing office or visiting the housing portal for additional details.
The Housing application opens on Thursday, January 15, 2026 during normal business hours between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m.
No, the housing application fee must be paid during the application process.
Yes, the Housing application populates 48 to 72 hours after payment of the enrollment deposit.
No worries, just notify the housing offices before May 1, 2026 to cancel your contract. This also ensures that you are not assessed any additional fees. Cancellation Policy
Unfortunately, no it is not refundable.
The deadline to apply with self selection is May 5, 2026. You are guranteed housing so you will have a bed on campus, however after the fifth there are less options and you are auto assigned.
Yes, everyone must complete a housing application and participate in the roommate matching portion of the process.
Yes, you must complete all sections of the application.
Students will enter an email address for the guardian and from there you will receive an email to complete for the proxy agreement.
Living Learning Housing FAQ
No, both students must be accepted into the learning community to be roommates.
You can select anywhere from one to four learning communities when completing the housing application.
Students that apply before March 13, 2026 will know on that day. Acceptances will continue weekly until the process concludes on May 18, 2026
Simply go back into the housing portal and click the LLC button on the top navigation to edit your response.
Honors Housing FAQ
Yes, typically all first-year Honors students live in the Honors Residence Hall.
Limited continuing Honors housing is available each year, however it is not guaranteed.
Honors students typically take all of the rooms in the Honors Residence Halls, so usually there no additional space for non-Honors students.
Yes, Honors students will have the option of roommate matching with other Honors students. Students will have to both agree and link together during the roommate matching portion of the application that opens on March 13, 2026.
No, students living in an LLC/Honors community are auto assigned and will receive their placement in late May.
Unfortunately, the Honors residence has limited single spaces and all assignments within the Honors community is auto assigned for students.