USC Housing

Please note: the information below is for new students and continuing non-residents only.

First-year freshmen, new graduate students and transferring students may apply for housing once they have been admitted to the university and have been issued a 10-digit USC student identification number. You may submit a housing application before sending your Enrollment Commitment Deposit form.

Returning residents and continuing non-residents may apply once the application opens for their category.

Once you have your login information, you may apply by clicking on the” Housing Application” link on our online portal.  Begin by selecting the term for which you are applying.

Freshmen and transferring undergraduates should select either: 

• Academic Year 2023–2024 – For those starting in August 2023. Students admitted for Fall 2023 can submit applications beginning early February 2023.
• Spring 2024 – For those starting in January 2024. Students admitted for Spring 2024 can submit applications when the spring application becomes available in late June.

New and non-resident graduate students should select either: 

• Graduate Academic Year 2023–2024 – For graduate students wishing to end their housing contract in May 2024. (This term is available in Annenberg, Centennial, Pacific, Severance Street Apts, Stardust, and Troy East.)
• Graduate Full Year 2023-2024 – For graduate students wishing to stay in housing through Summer 2024. (This term is available in Fairmont, Helena, Manor, Max Kade, Seven Gables, Sierra, Troyland, Twin Palms, University Regent, Vista, Windsor and family buildings Bel-Air, Regal Trojan, Regent, and Sunset.)
• Law Housing 2023-2024 – For Gould School of Law first year Juris Doctor students only. (This term is available only in Terrace Apartments.)

Continue
This will start the online application.

Personal and Contact Details
Here you will provide us with information we need to determine what housing is appropriate for you.  You will also need to give us emergency contact information.

Specific Accommodation Request
Here you will indicate whether you have any special physical or medical needs we should consider when making your assignment. Please register with the Office of Student Accessibility Services if you need specific housing accommodations. Placement is dependent on OSAS recommendations and space availability, and cannot be guaranteed.

Profile
In this section you will answer questions about your personal living preferences so that you may participate in the roommate matching process.

If you want to use our online “Roommate Search and Message” feature be sure to check the box labeled “Include in Roommate Search.” You will also need to create a screen name that you will use in the roommate-matching process.

Application Category
Please select your category; newly admitted students should choose “New to USC”. Students already attending USC but not living in university housing should select “Continuing Non-resident Student”.

List Housing Preferences
You must list five housing preferences (four if you are applying for graduate housing) in order of interest. You may wish to review the building descriptions in the Living at USC brochure or in the Housing Options section of the website before entering your preferences. You can update your preferences up until the time assignments are made.

Living Learning Housing (undergraduate applicants only)
You may also indicate a Living Learning community (LLC) for which you want to be considered. If you are requesting a LLC, be certain to list the corresponding building as your first housing preference. If you don’t, you can return to “List Housing Preferences” to make the change.

Supplemental Application (undergraduate applicants only)
Some Living Learning communities and gender-inclusive housing will require you to complete a supplemental application.

Gender-Inclusive Housing (undergraduate applicants only)
You may indicate if you are interested in Gender-Inclusive housing. A supplemental application will be required.

Graduate Housing Program (graduate applicants only)
If you are a graduate student, you may also select a specific Graduate Housing Program. Be sure to include the corresponding building as your first housing preference.

Pay Application Fee
USC Housing cannot process your application before receiving your $55 non-refundable application fee. This fee cannot be waived. Our website is set up to take payment by Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover Card. When your payment has been accepted, we will send you a confirmation e-mail.

Although you have the option to go on and select roommates, once you pay the application fee your application is complete and you are eligible for assignment. When you have been assigned, we will notify you by e-mail and direct you back to the online application to confirm your contract.

Roommate Selection (Optional)

Requesting Roommates
If you would like to request one (or more) specific roommates, you can do so by creating a roommate group and adding those students to your application by entering their screen name(s) and/or 10-digit USC ID number(s). For your request to be considered, it must

• be for another student in your same class standing category (Freshman, Undergraduate, or Graduate);
• list exactly the same housing preferences as the requested roommate, including any Living Learning community or graduate program;
• be mutual (all students are submitting requests for each other).

Roommate requests cannot be guaranteed.

Online Roommate Matching
If you do not have a specific person in mind, you can conduct an online search for potential roommates and be presented with possible matches based on the information provided in your Profile. You will be able to contact potential roommates and update your application to request them.

Once you apply, you can use our website to search for roommates. You will be provided with potential roommates’ screen names and be able to review their answers to the profile questions. Using screen names, you can then contact anyone you think may be a good match for you. If you find someone compatible, log in to the online application and create a roommate group. USC Housing will make every effort to honor your request. but cannot guarantee that it will be fulfilled. Once assigned, you may no longer search for roommates.

If you do not make a request for a specific person, you will be assigned a roommate based on gender and building assignment.

Once you have been assigned a housing space, you will be notified by e-mail. You can then log on to the portal to review your assignment. Please see the “Assignments and Contracts” section.

The availability of housing accommodations, programs and assignments are subject to local health authority restrictions and guidelines.