Housing
Housing Renewal is your chance to choose your room and roommate for the 2025-2026 academic year.
Renewal Timeline
January 24 - 27: Same Hall Same Room - if applicable
January 29: Group Moves
January 30: Graduate & Senior Renewal Begins
January 31: Junior Renewal Begins
February 3: Sophomore Renewal Begins
February 4: Freshman Renewal Begins
February 5 - 28: Open Renewal Period
March 1: LAST DAY to cancel contract without penalty
Freshman and Sophomore students (defined as less than 60 credit hours or fewer than 4 semesters of living on campus) are required to live on campus. There is a penalty for not fulfilling this requirement. If you have questions regarding your eligibility to move off campus, contact Bridget McCormick in Seal Hall at 309-298-3320. Click here to learn more about the University housing policy.
If you are eligible to live off campus and renew with UHDS, you will have until March 1, 2025 to cancel your Residence Hall Contract for the 2025-2026 academic year. If you cancel after this day you will be assessed a contract breakage fee, equal to your double room rate. Keep this date in mind as you are planning for next year. If you aren't sure about your housing options yet, it is better to renew today and work out the details later (as long as you break your contract before March 1, 2025).
Housing Renewal Process
How does Renewal Work?
Housing Renewal is accessible through STARS and you will have the opportunity to self-select your room for next year. See which rooms are NOT available to renew to under the tab "Explore Your Options".
On January 17, 2025, you will be assigned a time to renew (much like course registration). Assigned times will be given based upon class status and housing contract number. You will be sent an email to your WIU email account with your specific times or you can check your STARS account. Based on your assigned renewal time, you will be able to search for open rooms up until February 28, 2025.
Each floor has a pre-assigned number of singles and doubles. Once that number has been reached for a particular community, that floor and/or building may not show as available for renewal. Once you find the room you want, you must select "YES" when asked to confirm the room. During the renewal process, you will be asked to update your housing preferences, required to select a meal plan option, and can choose to reserve a MicroFridge for next year.
The first day after Same Hall/Same Room of Housing Renewal is devoted to students who wish to renew their housing contracts together and live on the same floor together next year. We call this Group Moves. Following this day, students are allowed to renew to eligible residence hall rooms across campus based on an assigned access time. Students can also make any changes to their housing preferences, choose their own roommates, select a meal plan and choose to rent a MicroFridge for the upcoming year during the Housing Renewal process. Group Moves is a great option for Freshmen whose actual individual renewal date is much later and choices will be much more limited.
Choose your Roommate
Roommate holds are available during Housing Renewal. You can select a roommate using the student's WIU email. Once you have selected your roommate you can browse and select a room assignment. The person you requested must go in that day to confirm the request. If the requested roommate does not confirm in time, the room will be placed back in the Housing Renewal system at midnight.
Special Circumstances
Group Moves
Group Moves allows students to move as a group (6 or more) to a residence hall floor. ANY student can participate in the Group Moves option. By choosing to form a group, you move yourself up in the selection process. Group Moves option is open on Wednesday, January 29 from 9am - 4pm. Group Moves is a great option for Freshmen whose actual individual renewal date is much later and choices will be much more limited.
Group Moves for Residence Halls
- Identify a group leader.
- Log on to STARS and select "Contract Renewal" from the Housing/Dining drop-down menu.
- Group leader lists the names and WIU student emails for those in the group and selects a building preference.
- All individuals must go into the system that day to confirm the request. If the requested individual(s) do not confirm, the room(s) will be placed back in the Renewal system.
- No one in your group may have a future assignment for Fall 2025 for Group Moves to work properly.
Open Housing
Open Housing allows sophomore, junior, senior, or graduate students, regardless of sex, gender, or gender identity, to share a room. Learn more here.
Greek Releases
UHDS recommends that all students who are applying for Greek Releases renew their housing assignments. Greek Releases are not guaranteed to everyone since there is a limited number, and qualifications to receive a release have been increased (must be between 30 and 59 semester hours to qualify, have lived on campus for 1 year, and have appropriate grade requirements). Anyone who receives a Greek Release will be notified after grades are released and may cancel without penalty at that time, if approved.
Potential RA Candidates
Are you an RA now or considering applying to be one and want to live on campus? UHDS suggests you still sign up for a room through our Housing Renewal process. If you are selected for a position, UHDS will automatically remove you from your renewed assignment and place you in an appropriate RA assignment.
If you are an RA now or considering applying to be one and DON'T want to live on campus if not selected, we suggest you wait to sign up for a room through our Housing Renewal process until you find out if you have been selected to be an RA for the Fall 2025 - Spring 2026 academic year.
Graduate Housing
Graduate Housing Renewal is coordinated during the spring semester. If you are interested in moving to Graduate Housing, contact the Graduate Housing Office in Seal Hall at 309-298-3331 to see if you qualify and for lease information.
Spoon River Students
Contact Angela Wagner, the Spoon River College assignment coordinator at 309-298-3000 or at UHDS@wiu.edu.
Off-Campus Students
Students currently living off-campus who wish to live in the residence halls for the 2025-2026 academic year should visit the UHDS office in Seal Hall to fill out a housing contract and housing preference form. Once you have submitted a housing contract and preference form, you can expect your housing assignment in mid-February.
A Variety of Options to Choose From
Free Parking Pass
Junior, Senior, and Graduate students (defined by 60+ credit hours by September 6, 2025) who renew their housing contract between January 24 - February 28, 2025 will receive a free residence hall parking pass for the Fall 2025 - Spring 2026 academic year.
21+ Community
Available in Washington Hall
Group Moves
Group Moves allows students to move as a group (6 or more) to a residence hall floor. ANY student can participate in Group Moves. By choosing to form a group, you move yourself up in the selection process.
Group Moves is open on Wednesday, January 29 from 9am - 4pm.
Open Housing
Open Housing allows sophomore, junior, senior, or graduate students, regardless of sex, gender, or gender identity, to share a room.
Semester Contracts
Available for Student Teaching, Internships, Study Abroad, and Graduates.
Benefits of Living on Campus
There are many benefits to living on campus... Click here to learn more!
Residence Hall Tours
Residence Hall Tours are by appointment only. Students should call 309-298-3000 to schedule an appointment.
Break Housing
Want to stay in your room over the break periods?
Students renewing to Corbin-Olson will be able to stay in their room during break periods by signing up and paying for Break Housing. This will allow you to stay in your room over the Fall Break, Winter Break or Spring Break periods with a special rate.
Themed Communities (LLCs)
Students interested in moving to a new LLC must obtain approval from the sponsoring department.
Corbin will house one Broadcasting, Journalism and Fine Arts floor (Corbin 5).
The International Floor will continue to be on Olson 8.
Lincoln will house the following LLCs: Agriculture, Class (FYE) & STEM.
Thompson will house the following LLCs: Education, Honors, Public Safety, ROTC & Transfer Year Experience (TYE).
Washington will house the following LLCs: Broadcasting, Journalism & Fine Arts (FYE) & Business Studies.
Washington will again host the 21+ floor.
Residence Hall Tours - By Appointment
Residence Hall Tours are by appointment only. Students should call 309-298-3000 to schedule an appointment.
Renewal Deadlines
Group Moves
Wednesday, January 29, 2025 Group Moves allows students to move as a group (6 or more) to a residence hall floor. ANY student can participate in the Group Moves option. By choosing to form a group, you move yourself up in the selection process. Group Moves option is open on Wednesday, January 29 from 9am - 4pm.
Assigned Open Renewal
Thursday, January 30, 2025: Graduate and Senior Renewal Begins
Friday, January 31, 2025: Junior Renewal Begins
Monday, February 3, 2025: Sophomore Renewal Begins
Tuesday, February 4, 2025: Freshman Renewal Begins
*Students with a current residence hall contract will be given an access time to participate in the renewal process during open renewal. At your designated appointment time, you will be able to log on to STARS and participate in the Renewal process.
Open Renewal
February 5 - 28, 2025
Update your housing preferences, change roommate information, and/or continue to shop around and make changes to your room selection. All room selections should be completed prior to February 28, 2025.
2025-2026 Housing Contract Cancellation Deadline
March 1, 2025
Students who are eligible to live off campus and need to cancel their housing contract for the 2025-2026 academic year MUST do so by March 1, 2025 to avoid a contract breakage fee (equal to a double room rate).
How to Renew
- Log on to STARS
- Select "Contract Renewal" from the Housing/Dining drop-down menu
- Follow the instructions on your screen to complete the Renewal Process
How to Renew
I am not sure where I want to live. How do I check out my options?
Residence hall tours will be available by appointment. Call the UHDS office at 309-298-3000 to schedule an appointment with one of our housing ambassadors.
Where do I find my Housing Renewal assignment time?
You will receive an email from UHDS with your assignment time or you can check your STARS account. Renewal times will be sent and available on STARS starting January 17, 2025.
What housing is available for breaks?
Break Housing is available in Corbin-Olson. Students who live in these halls will be able to request to stay in their current room over break periods for an additional fee. Students who do not live in these halls will have the opportunity to sign up for Break Housing where they can move into a room in Olson Hall during the break periods.
How do I apply for summer 2025 housing?
Summer housing contracts will be available in April. The summer housing application is a separate process from the Housing Renewal process.
How do I request a roommate?
During the Renewal process, you will be able to put in the requested roommate's name and ID number. The requested roommate will receive an email and will have 24 hours to confirm the request.
What if my requested roommate forgot to confirm within 24 hours?
You will be notified, and the other half of your room will be opened up for general assignments.
What happens if the space I want is not available?
Don't Panic. If you do not get your first choice, place yourself on the appropriate wait list on STARS and we will do our best to accommodate your request.
How do I make changes to my housing preferences, roommate information or change my room assignment?
During the open renewal period (February 5-28, 2025), you can log on to STARS to update your housing preferences, add a MicroFridge request, and continue to shop around for your 2025-2026 assignment.
How do I cancel my housing contract?
If you are eligible to live off campus and need to cancel your housing contract for the 2025-2026 academic year, you must do so by March 1, 2025 to avoid a contract cancellation fee (equal to your double room rate). You may cancel your housing contract from the Housing Information Menu on STARS.
How do I know if I am eligible to live off campus?
According to the University Housing policy, all freshman and sophomore students (defined as less than 60 credit hours) are required to live on campus. If you will reach 60 credit hour status by the Fall 2025 semester you will be exempt from the housing requirement. If you have any questions regarding your eligibility to live off campus it is important that you contact the Director of Housing and Dining Services, Bridget McCormick at 309-298-3320. If you are non-compliant with the housing policy, you will be charged a non-compliance fee (equal to your double room rate).
How do I get approved to live in a Living-Learning Community?
Students currently living in an LLC (Living-Learning Community) are automatically approved to continue living in that same LLC. If you are interested in joining a new LLC you must contact the sponsor advisor.
- Agriculture
- Broadcasting
- Business Studies
- CLASS (Community of Liberal Arts and Sciences Students)
- Education
- Fine Arts
- Public Safety
- Honors
- ROTC
- STEM
What should I do if I am not going to be on campus in the Spring 2026 semester but want to live on campus for the Fall 2025 semester?
If you will be graduating at the end of the Fall semester or leaving due to student teaching, an internship, or study abroad, you will need to complete a Contract Cancellation form during the Fall 2025 semester. The contract cancellation deadline for canceling your housing contract mid-year is December 1, 2025. All reasons for canceling must be verified. All refunds/credits will be processed after Spring registration ends in January.
Is Open Housing available for Housing Renewal?
Yes. Open Housing, which allows sophomore, junior, senior, or graduate students, regardless of sex, gender, or gender identity, to share a room will be available for Housing Renewal. Learn more about Open Housing and how to renew here.
Residence Hall Housing & Meal Plan Rates & Graduate Housing Rates
Click here to view our Rates & Costs page.
To calculate all University Costs (including tuition and fees) please proceed to our Cost Estimator.
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