If you’re applying for housing, it’s important to understand the process. Review the steps below to stay informed about key details, and submit your application through our Housing Application portal. We look forward to welcoming you to campus!
Important Note: Housing application and contract deadlines are strictly enforced. Make sure to meet all deadlines to be considered for campus housing.
Housing Application: Submitting the Application
- 1. Make sure your CalNet ID is activeadd
New students- After accepting admission to the university, you will be prompted to create a Berkeley campus identification (CalNet ID) before you can access the housing application portal. For undergraduates, this process is handled through CalCentral.
It may take a few days for your CalNet ID to activate; after it does, you will be able to log into the Housing Application portal.
Continuing students- Continuing students having issues with their CalNet credentials can reach out to the IT Help Desk for CalNet Support.
- 2. Update your student records, then select your application term.add
Log into the housing application portal and complete your student record profile. We encourage you to create a Web Screen Name, for use in identifying friends to add to your roommate group in the roommate request process.
Next, select the application term that corresponds to the application you are planning to submit. Undergraduate students looking for housing in the university residence halls and undergrad apartments, use the “Residence Hall” term.
- 3. Indicate your housing preferences, including “any room size, any location”.add
You’ll have five preferences on your housing application. You should list your choices in order of preference and be flexible in your options! All incoming first year and transfer students are guaranteed housing for the first year, provided they meet all deadlines and select “any room size, any location” as one of their housing preferences. Continuing students should indicate “any room size, any location” as a preference to maximize their chances of receiving a housing offer. . Students who do not indicate “any room size, any location” risk not receiving a housing offer.
- 4. Provide Emergency Contact and FERPA Student Privacy Releasesadd
Provide UC Berkeley Housing with your preferred emergency contacts in the case of emergency as well as FERPA student privacy releases, authorizing family members or friends to receive access to billing and housing information.
- 5. Submit a roommate profile.add
Within the Housing application, you’ll be asked to answer questions that will help match you with a suitable roommate. You also may request roommates by creating a roommate group. The group leader will need to invite each student using the Student Identification (SID) number. Each person will need to confirm their membership in the roommate group for our office to review their request. We try our best to honor roommate requests but are sometimes unable to do so. We recommend all members of the roommate group have identical housing preferences to maximize the chance of being placed together. It is recommended to have roommate groups of three people or less. Everyone in your group needs to have the same floor environment preference (e.g. Single-gender, Either, or All-gender) to avoid being split up.
- 6. Indicate Any ADA Accommodations or Identity-Based Needsadd
Students needing accommodations related to a disability, religious or cultural request, or gender identity may request these using the Accommodations Process. For ADA requests, please fill out the ADA Housing Accommodation Request Form and submit supporting documentation. For identity-based requests, please fill out the Identity-Based Accommodations Request Form.
- 7. Submit an essay if you want theme housing.add
Newly admitted undergraduates may select up to three theme programs and will need to submit a short essay (up to 500 words) to apply for each, explaining why they want to participate. Be sure to review each theme program’s requirements and expectations.
- 8. Submit your application by the deadline and wait for your offer!add
The final step is paying the non-refundable $45 application fee. Be sure to click “Submit Application” to get to the last page of the application, the holding page.
After your application is submitted, UC Berkeley Housing will process and extend you an offer to view and accept through the housing portal. Be sure to monitor your @berkeley.edu email for updates.
Housing Application: The Offer
- 1. Review and Accept Housing Offeradd
Housing offers are sent via email to students, please see our housing offer timeline. Review the housing location and room type you have been assigned to, and indicate whether you wish to accept or decline the offer provided. Declining the offer is your indication that you are not interested in on campus housing, and you will be asked to provide a reason. If you accept the offer, in order to reserve your housing assignment you must complete the next steps as outlined below.
- 2. Choose a Meal Planadd
If your housing assignment includes a residential meal plan, you will need to select the meal plan you are interested in. All Residence Hall rooms include the standard Blue & Gold meal plan, with options to upgrade.
- 3. Review and Accept the Housing Contract Terms and Conditionsadd
Be sure to thoroughly review and accept the terms and conditions of your housing contract. You also may be asked to review supplemental documents here related to your particular housing assignment.