RESIDENTIAL SERVICES

The residence halls, residential colleges, and special interest communities open for returning students at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, September 12, 2025. You may move in any time after this date and time. No appointment is needed. However, we will send a link this summer to ask you to let us know when you are planning to arrive to help us better prepare for your arrival. 

Students are encouraged to avoid moving in on Saturday, September 13, 2025, due to a home football game at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium. Traffic on campus will impact your ability to move in. Students living in the North and Northeast Areas might not be able to bring a vehicle close to their buildings much of this day.  

• Use the Self-Check In form emailed to your u.northwestern.edu email account to check in. QR codes with the check in link will also be posted at your building.
  • If you do not have a Wildcard, visit your Area Desk to pick up a temporary access card.
• Bring your Wildcard to your area desk to borrow a move-in cart. Please note that move-in assistance is not provided during the returning student move-in process.   
• No unloading permits are required for returning student move-in. We do ask that you move your vehicle away from your building once you have finished unloading so that other students may unload.

Once you complete the online Self-Check In form, you can head to your room.  Tap your card on the reader once, wait 60 seconds for the lock to download your check-in information, then tap again to unlock your door. If you have any trouble, visit your area desk listed below.

To find the address of your residence hall or residential college, visit the mail information page here.  

Northwestern University Residential Services partners with University and Student Services (USS) who provides a Ship-To-Your-Room service that allows you to have your belongings waiting for you in your room when you arrive. Deliveries from USS will take place through September 8. Students moving in prior to September 12  as early arrivals should note that their items might not be delivered until this day. 
 
Acceptance of items for regular mail and package delivery for the residence halls and residential colleges begins on Tuesday, August 26, 2025. We encourage you to schedule deliveries to arrive after this time. Mail delivery to mailboxes will begin on Tuesday, September 9, 2025. For more information about mail and package services, click here. 

Please note that the campus cannot accommodate storage pod deliveries. 

Northwestern University Residential Services partners with University and Student Services (USS) who, in addition to shipping services, provides mini-fridge rentals. Similar to the Ship-to-Room service, your fridge will be placed in your room prior to your arrival.  Similar to the Ship-to-Room service, your items will be placed in your room prior to your arrival if you order by the published deadline. 

Requests to move on campus as early as 8:00 a.m. on September 3, 2025, are considered based on the needs of the resident, space availability, and appropriate staffing to support students living on campus prior to the designated move-in dates. If approved to move on campus early, residents may be placed in temporary housing. The charge for early arrival is $50 per night and is applied to the student account unless the student’s stay is sponsored by a school or department. Any student who desires early arrival housing should review the Undergraduate Early Arrival Request Policy page for additional information. The early arrival application will be available on the Housing Portal from August 11 to 29, 2025. 

Students who are approved for early arrival do not need an unloading permit and should be aware that parking policies are enforced between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday-Friday. 

Returning students approved for early arrival cannot move-in between 8:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. on September 9 due to new student move-in. 

Visit our frequently asked questions page for answers to common questions regarding move-in.  

If you have any questions about move-in, please contact Residential Services at (847) 467-HOME (4663). We are open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Central Daylight Time. Questions can also be directed to housing@northwestern.edu.