Returning Student Room Selection Process Overview
The Returning Student Room Selection process allows rising 2nd, 3rd, and 4th year residential undergraduate students to secure on-campus housing for the 2026-2027 academic year. This process includes two phases: Phase One – Contracting, held at the end of the Winter Quarter, and Phase Two – Room Selection, which occurs in the first few weeks of the Spring Quarter.
Review the NU Undergraduate Housing Contract 2026-2027.
If you are looking for summer housing information, please visit the Summer Housing page.
Residency Requirement
All rising 2nd year students are required to complete both phases of the room selection process to meet the two-year residency requirement. Rising 3rd and 4th year students may complete the contract if they wish to live on campus again next year. All students planning to live in a fraternity, sorority, or Evans Scholars house only need to complete Phase One – Contracting.
Important Dates for the 2026 Process
Phase Two – Room Selection
|
DATE |
PROCESS |
|---|---|
|
April 15, 2026 |
Residential College Room Selection (All Years) |
|
April 16, 2026 |
Rising 3rd and 4th Year Student Room Selection |
|
April 21-23, 2026 |
Rising 2nd Year Student Room Selection |
|
May 1, 2026 |
2026-2027 Assignments Confirmed & Waitlists Open |
Returning Student Room Selection (RSRS) has concluded
Our office is currently assigning housing for students who did not select a room during the RSRS process. All housing assignments for students who selected rooms and those who were assigned will be finalized and communicated via email on May 1, 2026.
The Room Change Wait List and Room Swap Portal will open on May 1 at 9:00 a.m. CT. Room change requests will be reviewed and processed during the summer quarter as space becomes available.
Housing Cancellation
Rising second-year students may not cancel their housing contract due to the two-year residency requirement. Rising 3rd and 4th year students may cancel their contract without questions or penalty until 11:59pm on March 15, 2026.
Beginning, March 15, 2026, students will only be released from housing for the reasons listed below. You can read more on our cancellation tab on this page.
- Academic Dismissal
- Approved Housing Accommodation/Exemption from Residency Requirement
- Disciplinary Exclusion from the University
- Graduation/Degree Completion
- Induction into Military Service
- Internship (including Co-Op, Medill programs, McCormick programs, etc.)
- Marriage/Civil Union (for marriages/civil unions occurring after date of contract)
- Study Abroad
All Gender Housing
All Gender Housing allows students, regardless of sex, gender, or gender identity, to share a room or suite. You will be able to select All Gender Housing as a preference in the room selection process.
Continuous Housing
Continuous Housing allows eligible students to stay in undergraduate housing through Winter Break. You will be able to select Continuous Housing as a need in the room selection process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still looking for a roommate? Review our Roommate Finder tutorial.
Visit our FAQ page for detailed information on the room selection process.