Incoming Transfer Students
Welcome to UC Santa Cruz!
This page is your roadmap to the housing process for incoming transfer students—from accepting your offer of admission and exploring housing options, to applying for housing and preparing to move in. Use the sections below to get oriented, stay on track, and find out what’s ahead.
Important dates
Stay on track with key dates for housing and move-in. Be sure to check your UCSC email regularly for updates.
You can also visit the full housing calendar for the entire year’s dates and details.
Dates for students starting in fall quarter
June 1*
Accept your offer of admission at MyUCSC.
Indicate a preference for university housing and rank your top 5 college affiliation preferences.
Mid-June*
Check your UCSC email for college affiliation and housing application instructions, including your application due date.
By the
application deadline
Apply for housing in the Housing Portal and request accommodations if needed.
August 20
Housing assignment and roommate info available in the Housing Portal.
September 17
Payment due for fall quarter housing and dining charges.
September
20–21
Fall move-in. Review the complete move-in schedule.
*Note: Students admitted after the initial admissions acceptance deadlines will be given a later date by which to accept their offer of admission and apply for university housing.
Dates for students starting in winter quarter
October 15
Accept your offer of admission at MyUCSC.
Indicate a preference for university housing and rank your top 5 college affiliation preferences.
October 20*
Check your UCSC email for college affiliation and housing application instructions, including your application due date.
October 31*
Apply for housing in the Housing Portal and request accommodations if needed.
Early December
Housing assignment and roommate info available in the Housing Portal.
December 17
Payment due for winter quarter housing and dining charges.
January 2
Winter move-in.
*Note: Students admitted after the initial admissions acceptance deadlines will be given a later date by which to accept their offer of admission and apply for university housing.
Accept your offer of admission (SIR)
When you’re ready to say “yes” to UC Santa Cruz, go to MyUCSC to submit your Statement of Intent to Register (SIR) and pay any required fees by the deadline (June 1 for students starting in fall quarter, October 15 for students starting in winter quarter)*.
As part of the SIR process, you’ll be asked to:
- Indicate whether you plan to live on campus.
- Rank your top five college preferences for affiliation.
Incoming transfer students who indicate a preference for university housing and meet all housing application deadlines are eligible for a housing guarantee.
The Office of Admissions will do its best to assign you to one of your preferred colleges, but unfortunately that isn’t possible in all instances; placements depend on enrollment and availability.
*Note: Students admitted after the initial admissions acceptance deadlines will be given a later date by which to accept their offer of admission and apply for housing.
Find out your college affiliation
A week or two after your SIR deadline, you’ll receive an email from Student Housing Services with your college affiliation and your housing application deadline. Every UC Santa Cruz undergraduate is affiliated with one of the 10 colleges, which offer academic and community programming throughout your time here. While your college affiliation does not determine your housing, you’re welcome to participate in programs at your college and in the residential community where you live.
Can I request a change in my college affiliation?
Students are usually very happy at their assigned college, but if you would like to request a change of college, there is a limited time period during which an appeal process is available. While we don’t expect to grant many appeals, if you wish to submit one, please follow the instructions on the College Assignments Appeal page.
Explore housing options
Most new transfer students live in the Transfer Community, located at Porter College, which welcomes students affiliated with any UCSC college. In addition to the Transfer Community, UC Santa Cruz offers a range of other housing options that might align with your needs, interests, or lifestyle. Take a moment to explore the options below so you can make an informed choice when you apply for housing.
Transfer Community
The Transfer Community is located in the Porter A-Building residence halls and brings together transfer students from all colleges in a supportive, social environment. Rooms are mostly triples, with a variety of other room types. Bedrooms are single-gender; bathrooms are all-gender and designed for privacy. Living in the Transfer Community provides an opportunity to build connections with fellow transfer students. Resident Assistants (RAs) offer programs and activities that are designed to connect residents and create a sense of belonging.
A meal plan is included in the housing contract for students living in the residence halls.
Redwood Grove Apartments
The Redwood Grove apartments are an extension of the Transfer Community for students who are 23 or older at the time of application. These campus apartments offer a more independent living experience with shared kitchens, living rooms, and bathrooms. Typically shared by five or six students, each apartment has a combination of single and small-double bedrooms, a living room, dining room, kitchen, and bathroom.
Voluntary meal plan options are available for students living in the apartments.
University Town Center (UTC)
Located in the heart of downtown Santa Cruz at 1101 Pacific Avenue, the University Town Center (UTC) offers students convenient access to cafés, restaurants, shops, movie theaters, the city library and more. Residents live in two- or three-person studio apartments, each with a private bathroom and kitchenette. UTC is just one block from the Santa Cruz Metro Center, with frequent bus service to campus.
Voluntary meal plan options are available for students living at the UTC.
The Village
The Village, located in UCSC’s Lower Quarry on the east side of campus, is a unique community for incoming transfer and continuing students. In the heart of the Great Meadow and adjacent to the UCSC Farm and Garden, the Village is surrounded by redwoods, native grasses, and other natural features. Each building includes single and small double bedrooms, three shared bathrooms, and a kitchenette, blending a communal setup with privacy and independence.
Voluntary meal plan options are available for students living at the Village.
College housing
In addition to communities like the Transfer Community, Redwood Grove, UTC, or The Village, limited space may also be available for transfer students in specific college housing locations. These college areas welcome students affiliated with any UCSC college, and are primarily in residence halls, which include a variety of shared (mostly triples) and a limited number of private (single) rooms. You will find specific college housing locations and room types listed in the housing application.
A meal plan is included in the housing contract for students living in the residence halls.
More ways to live and learn
In addition to the communities listed above, transfer students are welcome to explore other housing options below that might support their needs or interests. These include themed communities, housing for students with families, and off-campus resources.
Campuswide Theme Housing
Campuswide Theme Housing options are located in specific colleges and are open to all students, regardless of college affiliation. Centered around shared interests, academics, community engagement, and support, these spaces create opportunities for connection and personal growth:
- ABC Themed Housing
- International Living Center (ILC)
- Native American/Indigenous Themed Housing (NAITH)
- Substance Free Recovery Housing
- Trans-Inclusive Housing
You’ll have an opportunity to indicate your interest in Campuswide Theme Housing, as well as theme options at your affiliated college, in your housing application.
Family Student Housing
Family Student Housing is a dedicated apartment community with on-site childcare for UCSC students with families.
Off-campus housing
UCSC’s Community Rentals team offers support and a rental listing service for students searching for off-campus housing.
Apply for housing
Once you’ve reviewed your options, you’re ready to apply.
The housing application opens in mid-June for students starting in fall quarter and in late October for students starting in winter quarter. Your specific housing application deadline will be listed in the same email that includes your college assignment.
Complete your application in the Housing Portal. You’ll be guided through these steps:
- Rank your room and community preferences
- Indicate interest in theme housing
- Answer roommate matching questions
- Choose your meal plan
- Review rates and billing options
- Agree to the terms and conditions of residence
- Submit your application
Where can I find my housing application deadline?
If you expressed interest in living in university housing when accepting your offer of admission, you’ll receive an email with instructions for completing the housing application process. That email will include your housing application deadline. Watch your UCSC email inbox a week or two after your SIR deadline passes and apply by the deadline listed in your email.
What if I was admitted after the initial admissions deadlines?
If you were admitted later in the admissions cycle, you’ll receive a later housing application deadline. Check your UCSC email for your specific deadline and next steps.
Students admitted off the Admissions waitlist after the college assignment appeal deadline are not eligible to request a change in their college through the appeal process.
Disability accommodations
If you need disability-related housing accommodations (e.g., no steps or stairs, visual alarms, space for mobility devices) submit an accommodation request through the Disability Resource Center (DRC) by your housing application deadline. Submitting your request on time helps ensure your individual needs are considered at the time housing assignments are made. While late requests will be accepted, all requests are subject to the availability of housing.
Get ready to move in!
In late August for fall quarter and early December for winter quarter, you’ll get an email from your housing community letting you know your room and roommate information is available in the Housing Portal, and providing instructions for signing up for a move-in appointment.
This is a great time to connect with your roommates, start building a relationship, and begin planning your transition into college life.
Visit the Move-in page for packing tips, dates, and more details.
Quick checklist: Housing to-dos
- Submit your SIR and college preferences by your SIR deadline
- Check your UCSC email for your college affiliation and housing deadline (a week or two after your SIR deadline passes)
- Explore your housing options
- Apply for housing and request accommodations, if needed
- Reach out to your roommates
- Review & make note of important dates on the Housing Calendar
- Pay fall quarter housing and dining charges
- Prepare for move-in!
Resources for transfer students
UC Santa Cruz offers support tailored specifically for transfer and re-entry students through programs like STARRS (Services for Transfer, Re-Entry, and Resilient Scholars). Whether you’re looking for academic guidance, community, or campus navigation support, help is available.