Visiting Students
Welcome to UC Santa Cruz!
This page is your roadmap to the housing process for incoming visiting students—from learning about the colleges, to applying for housing and getting ready to move in. Explore 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 more the entire year’s dates and details.
Dates for students starting in fall quarter
Mid-June
Check your UCSC email for college affiliation and housing application instructions.
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
18–23
Fall move-in. Review the complete move-in schedule.
Dates for students starting in winter quarter
October 20
Check your UCSC email for college affiliation and housing application instructions.
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 fall quarter housing and dining charges.
January 2
Winter move-in.
Get to know the colleges
At UC Santa Cruz, every undergraduate is affiliated with one of the 10 colleges. Each college is a small living-learning community with academic support, social events, and a required first-year core course tied to its academic emphasis.
Your college will be your landing pad to begin building your campus community.
Take time to explore the colleges. Use the link below to learn more about each college’s location, community, academic emphasis, and housing options.
Find out your college affiliation and explore housing options
In mid-June for students starting in fall quarter and in late October for students starting in winter quarter, you’ll receive an email from Student Housing Services with your college affiliation and your housing application deadline.
Incoming visiting students who indicate a preference for university housing and meet all housing application deadlines are eligible for a housing guarantee.
Once affiliated with a college, take a moment to explore your college’s housing options, amenities, and community. You’ll also find additional housing options below that you may want to consider when completing your application. These options can shape your experience at UCSC in meaningful ways, so it’s worth taking a few minutes to explore what feels like the best fit for you.
Check out your college’s housing page
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.
More ways to live and learn
UCSC offers additional housing options beyond your assigned college. Whether you’d like to join a themed community or live off campus, you might find your fit here.
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.
Off-campus housing
UCSC’s Community Rentals website offers support and a rental listing service for students searching for off-campus housing.
Apply for housing
After reviewing your college affiliation and exploring your housing 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.
You’ll complete your application in the Housing Portal. You’ll be guided through these steps:
- Rank your room 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 on campus, 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 after your SIR deadline passes and apply by the deadline listed in your email.
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
- Learn about UCSC’s 10 colleges before you SIR
- Check your UCSC email for your college affiliation and housing deadline
- Explore your affiliated college and other 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!
