Last updated: March 25, 2025

  1. What is this “self-selection” process?
    • A NEW process for the Fall 2025-Spring 2026 academic year, where we are allowing new incoming students the opportunity to select their own housing assignment. In the past, we have administratively made housing assignments for our new incoming students. This will allow students to see what is available in real-time and make their own decisions about where they want to live on-campus.
  2. Who can participate in self-selection?
    • Any new incoming student who signed their 2025-2026 housing contract on or before March 1, 2025. This including incoming freshmen, transfer, and graduate students.
  3. When will the self-selection process take place?
    • During the month of May, over the course of several days. We will strive to have selection open during the late afternoon to avoid school hours as much as possible, but during office business hours so we can be available if you need assistance. Exact days and times are TBD.
  1. How will the self-selection process work?
    • Students will receive a timeslot when they can log into the Housing Portal to begin making their selection. Students can select their room at any time from the start of their timeslot until selection process closes. However, students are encouraged to select as soon as possible to have the most options available to them. 
  2. How will timeslots be determined?
    • We will assign timeslots based on the date a student’s contract was signed. So students who signed their housing contract in June 2024 will have an earlier timeslot than a student who signed their housing contract in February 2025.
  3. When will I be given my timeslot?
    • Students will receive an email to their iastate email with their exact timeslot and specific instructions on how to use this process in late April.
  4. How many times can I select a room?
    • You will only be allowed to select a space once. This allows other students to be able to log into the Housing Portal to view and select their space without overloading the system. If you change your mind about your choice, a room change process will open in the summer allowing students to change their assignments.
  5. What happens if I have a roommate I want to live with?
    • You will need to create a roommate group with that individual. If space is available for everyone in your group, you will be able to assign spaces to each member of the group, regardless of when they signed their contract. It is ideal to make the student with the earliest contract date the “group leader” since they will have the earliest timeslot and can assign the group members.
  6. When should I create a roommate group?
    • Ideally, prior to May 1 to ensure everything is complete before selection begins, however you can create roommate groups at any time.
  7. What if I have requested to be in a Learning Community?
    • If you selected an LC, including Honors, you will have a designated date to select a space only within the reserved spaces for that LC. Please be aware that if you also requested a roommate, you will only be able to select a space with them if you are both in the LC. You may have to choose between living in the LC and living with your requested roommate. If you choose to drop the LC, you will then be given a timeslot during the general selection, based on your contract signed date. Don’t know if you are eligible for a LC? Click here for a list of LC.
  8. What if I have a medical accommodation?
    • If you require a specific type of accommodation due to a medical need/condition (A/C due to allergies, wheelchair accessible room, etc.) you need to reach out to Student Accessibility Services to begin the accommodation process. SAS will determine what kind of accommodations you are approved for based on the documentation you provide. If you are approved for specific accommodations, we will work with you to find a space that meets your approved needs prior to selection beginning. We cannot guarantee spaces for medical accommodations that are approved after May 1, 2025.
  9. Will I still have housing if I signed after March 1?
    • Yes! You will still have housing if you signed after March 1. Our office will administratively make your assignment based on when you signed your contract, starting in late May and continuing through mid-July.