Housing Application FAQ

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Timelines

What is the timeline to apply for housing for new students? How does this affect housing placement?

The housing application for new students opens at 9am MDT on October 1, 2025. Applicants who apply starting at 9am MDT on October 1, 2025 through 11:59pm MST on January 31, 2026 (end date subject to change before October 1, 2025) will be assigned housing through a lottery system and will start to receive their housing assignments when the first round of assignments and roommate information is sent out in April 2026. Everyone who applies during this window will have an equal opportunity to be placed in their top housing preference. Assignment order will be randomly generated through our housing software and housing placement will be done through an automated process in the housing software regardless of housing application completion date, date of admittance to Montana State University, gender, or any other factors. 

Applicants who complete their housing application starting February 1, 2026 (date subject to change before October 1, 2025) through the fall semester starting in August 2026 will be assigned in order by housing application completion date.

Is there a deadline for housing accommodation needs?

For new students, if you have housing accommodations you need University Student Housing to consider (i.e. wheelchair accessible, hearing impaired, private room supported by medical documentation, etc.), please have those requests in prior to March 1, 2026. You will let University Student Housing know your requests as part of the housing application and then you will need to work with the Office of Disability Services. Please reach out to either the housing assignment team at housingaccommodations@montana.edu or the Office of Disability Services at disabilityservices@montana.edu with any questions.

Is there a deadline for roommate requests?

For new students, we would encourage you to have your roommate groups finalized prior to March 1, 2026 to ensure the best chance of being placed with your requested roommate. You may still make roommate requests and form roommate groups after this date, but the chances of the assignment staff being able to pair you with your requested roommate decreases significantly after this date.

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Logging in, Personal Information, Completing the Application & Prepayment

Is the Housing application separate from the application for Admission? 

The Housing Application is separate from the application for admission.  You must apply for housing via the Housing Portal.  You will use your preferred email address (the email you have selected in MyInfo).

I'm having trouble logging into the Housing Portal. What should I do? 

1. Make sure you have registered in the Housing Portal (inside the yellow bar on the housing portal). 

2. If your password isn't working, try reset password.  This can take up to 15 minutes to process. Be sure to check your spam folder. Tip: Some high school emails may filter and block this email entirely.  Username=preferred email 

3. If you are receiving an error message when you are trying to create or reset your password, that means that University Student Housing has a different preferred email address on record than the one you used. You will need to go to MyInfo to check your preferred email or change your preferred email address so that you can log into the application.  Please note that any changes made in MyInfo take up to 24 hours to be reflected in the application so if you want to log in immediately please contact University Student Housing Office between 8:00 am - 5:00 pm (406-994-2661).

4. If you need to update your personal information that is automatically entered on your housing application, you'll need to reach out to Admissions to make changes.

Creating or Resetting your password

1. Click Login.
2. Enter your Preferred Email (the email you have selected in My Info as your preferred email).
3. Click Forgotten or New Password.
4. Check your preferred email for a message containing a link to set your password.
5. Set your password and log-In.

What do I need to complete my housing application? 

1. Preferred email address.  You can find your preferred email address in MyInfo.  
2. Register in the Housing Portal. 
3. 5 hall and room type preferenes. Review hall options and make notes about your top preferences. Assignment to one of your top five perferences is not guaranteed.
4. 5 preferences for living options.  Review our living options and make notes about your top preferences. These will help our assignments team find a room for you. Assignment to one of your top five preferences is not guaranteed. 
5. Debit/Credit Card for $300 prepayment.  Your application will not be complete until your payment is received.

How do I update my profile questions?

Log into the Housing Portal

1. Click on Forms in the gold bar
2. Select Residence Hall Forms from the drop down, click Save & Continue
3. Click on View/Update Profile questions and complete that form

How do I update my Housing Preferences?

Log into the housing portal

1. Click Apply for Housing in the gold bar
2. Select Residence Hall Application 2026-2027, then continue
3. Click Room Preferences on the left hand side
4. Update preferences and click save when finished

How do I update my meal plan?

Log into the housing portal

1. Click Forms in the Gold Bar
2. Select Residence Hall Forms from the drop down, click Save & Continue
3. Click Meal Plan Change and complete that form

Is the $300 prepayment refundable?

The $300 prepayment is partially refundable for cancellations that are received by University Student Housing by the dates outlined below:

Cancellations received prior to March 1, 2026 are entitled to a $200 refund.

Cancellations received between March 1, 2026 and May 1, 2026 are entitled to a $100 refund.

Refunds will be processed starting in August/September 2026. Any cancellation after May 1, 2026 will not be eligible for a refund. If you submit your application after May 1, 2026 and cancel after that date, you will not be eligible for a refund.

Dates and refund structure are subject to change before October 1, 2025. Please be sure to read your application agreement carefully for the 2026-2027 policy and timeline.

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Roommates & Roommate Groups

What is a roommate group and how can I add people to it? What if I can’t find a specific person to send a request?

1. You can only be in one roommate group at a time. If you want to switch groups you will have to log in to the portal and remove yourself from your current group before you can be added to another group.
2. The first question to ask about your specific person request is if they have started an application for the term you are applying for? If they haven’t started an application for the same term, then you won’t be able to search for them to send a roommate request.
3. Second, if they have started an application for the same term, check to see if one of you chose Gender Inclusive Housing. If one of you did and the other didn’t, then you must edit your profiles to match.

Someone I don’t want to live with sent me a request to join their roommate group, what do I do? I don’t want them to know that I don’t want to live with them.

You are in no way obligated to accept roommate group requests if you don’t want to. Please decline the request so that the requester can choose another roommate option.

Can I change my room or roommate assignment after I've been notified?

Students may submit a room change request in the Housing Portal. The room change request will ask for hall and room type preferences and provide an area to specify roommate requests. Please keep in mind that roommate requests must be mutual, so both students must submit a request for it to be considered. The Housing Assignments team works through these requests on a regular basis and students are emailed if a change is able to be made.

Is my roommate request guaranteed?

While we do our best to accommodate roommate requests, they are not guaranteed. We can only assign roommates based on completed applications and available spaces. If your request isn't mutual, we will help pair you with a compatible roommate.

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Room Change Requests

Does changing my preferences change the order in which I will be assigned?

No. Changing information on your application will not change your application completion date or assignmnent order.

I got my assignment and want to change my hall/room or have a different roommate request. How do I request a change? 

You will need to submit a Room Change Request in the Housing Portal.

1. Log into the Housing Portal
2. Select "Forms" from the menu at the top
3. Choose "Residence Hall Forms"
4. Choose "Room Change Request"
5. Submit your hall and room preferences and add preferred roommate information if applicable
6. Submit

If we are able to complete your change request, you will receive a new assignment email from us.

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Returning Students

What is the process to live on campus after your first year? 

Students who currently live on campus and want to return to live on campus for the 2026-2027 academic year will apply in January/February 2026. Returning students are eligible to live in the Headwaters Complex (Jefferson and Gallatin Halls), Johnstone (Pryor and Colter wings), and the Julia Martin Apartments. Returning students must submit a housing application via the Housing Portal.

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University Student Apartments

When will I know if I get housing?

The University Student Apartments Assignment Coordinator typically reaches out within 30-45 days before your expected arrival time. If we have appropriate vacancy and are able to offer you housing, we will reach out with an official offer. Housing assignments are a fluid process and applications are prioritized by original application submittal, then by family or single student eligibility, then by graduate or undergraduate student status, and finally by expected arrival and vacancies. If you have not heard from us in the 30-45 day time frame, please feel free to reach out to us.

What eligibility documentation is needed?

Proof of eligibility is needed for the family units. The following documentation is generally accepted:

• For spouses/partners:
  • Marriage certificate, Civil Union License, Declaration of Domestic Partnership Relationship Form, Affidavit of Common Law Marriage, or equivalent.
  • Mutual Will, Shared Health Insurance, Insurance policies listing one another as beneficiaries, significant combined financial investment (i.e. shared loan, shared credit card)
  • Adult family members who are not students at Montana State University must also pass a background check.
• For children:
  • Birth Certificate(s), court ordered custody decree, adoption certificate, or legal/notarized letter of guardianship. A student must have phyical custody of a dependent minor for four or more months of the academic year to maintain eligibility.

Is the University Student Apartments deposit refundable? 

The deposit is refundable based on the guidance in the University Student Apartments Contract:

• The full application fee will be refunded if the applicant cancels their housing prior to an offer of housing.
• If the applicant cancels their housing application after receiving an offer of housing, the University will retain $250, and applicant will recieve a $50 refund.
• If the applicant signs a contract and fails to occupy the unit within five days they forfeit the $300 deposit, the application will be cancelled, and the student will be held responsible for rent until the unit is reassigned and occupied.
• Once the student is assigned to a unit, the $300 deposit is retained as a security deposit.

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Other

Is there anything else I should know about the housing portal? 

The application site prefers Chrome or Firefox, not Safari, and actual computers vs. mobile devices.

Most changes can be made through the Housing Portal until we start assigning in March 2026 with the first round of assignments going out in April 2026.

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