Housing Application Guide
Download the step-by-step guide to how to complete the Housing Application.
All first-year students at the University of South Carolina are required to live on campus. Living on campus supports community-building and provides easy access to academic resources, student services and campus activities.
SUBMIT YOUR DEPOSIT & SETUP YOUR UNIVERISTY ACCOUNT
Ready to become a Gamecock? Submit your $200 nonrefundable enrollment deposit through your USC Admissions Portal at apply.sc.edu/status. Once your deposit is paid, you’ll be able to access the housing application within 24-48 hours.
CLAIM YOUR USC ACCOUNT
Using your VIP ID, network username and USC ID listed in your USC Admissions Portal, claim your account at myaccount.sc.edu.
IMPORTANT DATES & TIMELINES
Jan. 15 Housing application opens
March 13 Roommate matching opens
May 1 Deadline to cancel housing application without penalty
May 1 Deadline to apply for housing accommodations through the Student Disability Resource Center
May 5 Deadline to apply for housing with room selection option
May 18 Deadline for roommate matching
Early-June Roommate selection begins
Mid-August Move-in!
Housing priority is based on the date you submit the housing application and pay the $100 housing application fee. Please note, however, that all first-year students are guaranteed on-campus housing.
COMPLETE THE APPLICATION
STEP 1: LOG IN TO YOUR HOUSING PORTAL
- Log in to my.sc.edu and select “Students/Authorized Users.”
- Go to “Personal” then click on “My Housing Portal.”
- Select the Columbia campus.
- Once in the portal, choose “Apply Here.”
- Select “2026 2027” for the academic year.
STEP 2: UPDATE YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION
- Confirm your student information.
- Provide emergency contact details.
STEP 3: COMPLETE THE ROOMMATE MATCHING PROFILE
- A predetermined username (prefix of your USC email) will serve as your username to protect your privacy during the roommate matching process. You will use this for communicating with other admitted students who have applied for housing.
- Answer the series of questions about your living habits and preferences to complete your profile.
All students must complete a roommate matching profile, even if they have already selected a roommate outside the housing portal.
STEP 4: INDICATE IF YOU NEED HOUSING ACCOMMODATIONS
- Review the qualifications for housing accommodation.
- Indicate if you will be requesting housing accommodations with the Student Disability Center. If you select “Yes,” you will receive an email with additional information on how to register with the Student Disability Resource Center.
The Student Disability Resource Center will notify both you and University Housing of any approved housing accommodations.
STEP 5: INDICATE YOUR INTEREST IN APPLYING FOR A LIVING LEARNING COMMUNITY OR SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP
- Learn more about the Living Learning Communities and Special Interest Groups on the housing website.
- Indicate if you are interested in joining a community. If you select “Yes,” choose up to three communities that interest you.
STEP 6: INDICATE YOUR INTEREST IN GREEK LIFE RECRUITMENT
- Learn more about Greek Life on our website.
- Indicate if you are interested in attending Sorority Recruitment in the fall. This will allow University Housing to prepare for an earlier move-in day. If you select “Yes,” you will receive an email with additional information.
STEP 7: SIGN THE RESIDENTIAL HOUSING AGREEMENT
- Carefully review the Housing Agreement and the Housing Guide to Residential Living Handbook.
- Sign the agreement by entering your USC ID in the required field. If you are under 18, a parent or legal guardian will be emailed a proxy agreement to sign.
- Submit your application.
STEP 8: SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION
- Pay the $100 non-refundable housing application to complete the process.
- Students with extenuating circumstances may request to have the fee deferred until the fall by completing the Deferral Form on the Housing website.
Once payment is confirmed, your application is complete. You will be redirected to a confirmation page indicating the time and date of your application fee payment. This information will be used to determine your housing priority.
STEP 9: ROOMMATE GROUPS
- Select if you would like to have a roommate group with two or four people in the group.
- Check your USC email for additional communication regarding the roommate matching process as we approach the opening of roommate matching in March.
Roommate Group FAQ
NEXT STEPS
- Roommate matching opens on March 13, 2026 in the Housing Portal
- Room selection open in June in the Housing Portal