HOUSING OUTLOOK
Special Notice to Residence Hall students and their families
Department of Resident Life’s recommended Four-Year Housing Plan
Living and learning in the residence halls at the University of Maryland are critical components of a UMD education. With the Maryland Residential Experience, we create opportunities for all residents to thrive and grow. We support learning, cultivating connections through community and promoting safe, inclusive residential environments to foster a sense of belonging.
The Department of Resident Life suggests that all undergraduate students consider their four-year housing plan:
1st year students begin their UMD experience and LIVE HERE in the residence halls.
2nd year students STAY ON and participate in Room Selection to choose their housing assignment from many on-campus housing options (traditional style, semi-suite, suite and apartment options), plus secure priority leasing in South Campus Commons and The Courtyards for junior year.
3rd and 4th year students (rising juniors and seniors) often choose to explore the public-private apartment options at South Campus Commons and The Courtyards or other off-campus housing apartment options.
Residence Halls 2025-2026
This notice from the Department of Resident Life contains important information regarding the anticipated on-campus housing availability for the 2025-2026 academic year.
Key takeaways: We highly encourage current first-year students (rising sophomores) to Stay On and continue participating in the Maryland Residential Experience for a second year. By doing so, you will have easy access to campus resources, support from our staff, housing when you need it (9.5 month contracts) and will be within steps of your classes.
Additionally, Staying On opens more housing options in your junior year, providing priority leasing for South Campus Commons and The Courtyards, affiliated apartment housing.
With the anticipated interest from returning rising sophomores and the first-year student class targets, juniors and seniors interested in returning to the residence halls will be initially placed on the residence halls housing waitlist and notified about opportunities to participate in Room Selection following the 4:00 pm, February 24, 2025 Residence Hall Housing and Dining Agreement submission deadline.
We remain committed to keeping you well informed about the availability of housing in the residence halls for 2025-2026. If you have a question about your status please contact us at reslife@umd.edu or 301.314.2100. Thank you.
RESIDENCE HALL ROOM SELECTION ELIGIBILITY
The Residence Hall Housing and Dining Agreement is now available for students to submit via the Housing Portal. The deadline to apply is 4:00 p.m., Monday, February 24 to be eligible to participate in Room Selection.
Step 1
Submit your Residence Hall Housing and Dining Agreement by 4:00 p.m., Monday, February 24.
Rising Sophomores
Step
2
Begin exploring the various housing options available to students — semi-suite, suite, apartment, and traditional style options. And, begin thinking about potential roommates and group formation.
Step
3
Participate in Room Selection (March 3–March 10, 2025) to choose your space for 2025-2026.
Current first-year students (rising sophomores) living in residence halls for the spring semester will have priority for returning to residence halls. Eligible students may choose from many residence hall housing options including traditional rooms, semi-suites, suites, and apartments.
Rising Juniors & Seniors
Current sophomores (rising juniors and seniors for 2025-2026) who wish to return to the residence halls may submit their Housing and Dining Agreement by 4:00 p.m., February 24. Initially, students will be added to the Housing Waitlist while we ensure there is enough housing capacity for first and second-year students. We will notify students about their Room Selection participation eligibility on February 26.
Visit reslife.umd.edu to view the various housing options available. For a complete listing of the residence halls and amenities, view the Residence Hall at a Glance reslife.umd.edu/hallsatglance.
NOTE: Current sophomores (rising juniors) living in residence halls have first priority to select rooms in South Campus Commons (SCC) or The Courtyards (CTY) for their junior year.
Room Selection 2025
Room Selection gives current eligible students the ability to select their housing assignments for next year live, in real time. Students will learn of their priority standing and selection information no later than February 26, with live selection happening March 3–March 10.
There are many housing options from which to choose, including traditional style, semi-suites, suites, and apartment living for students to continue their Maryland Residential Experience.
Residence Hall Housing and Dining Agreement is due at 4:00 p.m., February 24.
THE COURTYARDS AND SOUTH CAMPUS COMMONS
The Courtyards at the University of Maryland (CTY) and South Campus Commons (SCC) are the University of Maryland’s public-private partnership undergraduate student apartment communities and are managed by a private management company, Capstone On-Campus Management. Students who sign leases at CTY or SCC must be approved by the Department of Resident Life.
Second-year students (rising juniors) living in residence halls for the Spring 2025 semester and who meet the application deadlines will have the highest priority for an estimated 1,200 new leases that will become available. Second and third year students living in the residence halls will also be eligible to be pulled-in to vacancies in these apartments by current residents who are renewing leases for 2025-2026. Resident Life expects more than 1,100 current second-year students to apply to lease at these properties. Both properties require 11.25-month leases and offer the option of a lease renewal for your fourth year in college.
Current first and third year students may apply to lease at The Courtyards or South Campus Commons, and will be eligible after all current second-year students have had leasing appointments.
All interested students must meet the specified CTY/SCC application deadlines for eligibility.
For more information, please visit reslife.umd.edu/housing/commonscourtyards
Housing Commitments Policy
The vision of the Maryland Residential Experience focuses on serving the needs of undergraduate students in their first and second years to offer an experience that is engaging, diverse, and an indispensable component of their academic success. We also recognize the importance of maintaining the option for some upper-level students to live in our residence halls.
To that end, the Housing Commitments Policy, collaboratively established with the Residence Hall Association (RHA), outlines the priority order allocation of residence hall spaces. Resident Life provides the option for housing in the residence halls to upper-level students in exempted groups. To see the full policy and the students with exempted status, please visit go.umd.edu/HousingCommitments.
Important Dates
South Campus Commons (SCC) and Courtyards (CTY)
FEB 6
11:59 p.m.
FEB 19 to
FEB 20
2:00 p.m.
Priority Deadline for SCC/CTY leasing applications to participate in SCC/ CTY Open Leasing
SCC/CTY Apartment Selection for Prospective Residents—Group Leaders will select rooms on behalf of their group members
FEB 24
Noon Deadline to sign SCC/CTY lease
FEB 24 4:00 p.m.
FEB 26
Residence Halls
Deadline for 2025-2026 Residence Hall Housing and Dining Agreement for any student interested in returning to residence hall housing
All students who met the February 24 deadline learn if they may select a room during Room Selection 2025 or will be waitlisted for residence hall housing for 2025-2026
MAR 3 to MAR 10
Room Selection 2025 for all eligible residents returning to residence hall housing for 2025-2026
NOTE REGARDING GOOD STANDING: RHA legislation regarding status for room selection eligibility for students with multiple administrative housing probation sanctions will be implemented. Such students will be placed at the end of their priority group for 2025-2026, which will have a direct negative impact on their selection priority. All students affected will be notified before Room Selection 2025.
