ucsc housing assignment

Housing Portal

• Skip to main content
• Skip to main navigation
• Awards & Honors
• News by topic
• News archives
• E-Newsletter
• Tuesday Newsday
• UCSC Magazine
• Administrative Messages

Home / 2022 / July / faq-housing-general-waitlist

Frequently asked questions: campus housing and the general waitlist

July 21, 2022

Below are answers to the most frequently asked questions about the housing assignment process and general waitlist for Fall 2022.

How are housing assignments made?

What are my chances of getting housing?

What is my place on the waitlist?

Why can’t those on the general waitlist know whether they will or won’t receive housing before the end of the academic year?

If my preferred type of housing isn’t available, will I still be offered housing? I was offered a room type I didn't list?

I got sent an alternate housing offer. How do alternate housing offers work? Why was I offered alternate housing?

When will I know if I have a space available?

How can I increase my chances of getting housing?

Why don’t I have priority?  

I haven't heard anything from the Housing Office. Does this mean I won't get housing?

Why does enrollment at UCSC increase while housing is in short supply?

With housing in short supply why are more remote learning opportunities not made available?

I still have questions. Who should I contact?

Students are assigned off the waitlist based on rooms available and the type of room a student has requested. When looking at roommate compatibility, housing coordinators will do their best to make good matches based on what is listed on the student's housing application. We have some tips on what makes a good housing application!

If there isn't an available room of the type you requested, best efforts will be made to  try to offer you alternative housing. However, assignments will first be made for students who have  requested available room types before providing  alternative offers to students who have requested room types that are not available. For example:

If Student A and Student B both want a residence hall large triple, but Student B has also listed a residence hall triple, and there are no residence hall large triples available, Student B will be assigned to the available regular triple.

After every student who requested a residence hall triple on their housing application is assigned and there are leftover spaces, only then will alternative   housing offers be provided to those students who did not request the available  room type like Student A.

We remain committed to offering students housing assignments that align with their preferences. Because of this, it is often hard to answer this question. Demand for housing is high and far exceeds remaining availability. The type of housing a student prefers can impact the chances of receiving a housing assignment or alternate housing offer. The more flexible you are in your housing options, the greater your chance of being assigned housing. The most common room types still available are in residence hall triples. If this accommodation type is not among your preferences, consider returning to the Housing Portal to update the room preferences listed in your housing application.

Because we are committed to offering students housing assignments that align with their preferences, this question is hard to answer. The waitlist is NOT a numbered list and does not work as such. The length of the waitlist correlates to the number of students wanting housing on campus. Students are assigned off this list based on what spaces are available and how well matched that space is to preferences indicated by the student, including consideration of compatibility with other roommates/housemates. . 

From start to finish, the UC Santa Cruz housing assignment process centers students’ preferences (e.g., single versus double versus triple rooms). Because of this, after the selection window closes for priority students, the remainder of the assignment process is completed manually by staff members. Staff, specifically Housing coordinators, carefully review available supply of rooms on campus and make assignments that align with students’ stated preferences. This portion of the process is not automated and takes considerable time. The housing team works on these assignments from May through the start of the school year.

Best efforts are made  to assign students to housing options they request when assigning off the waitlist. However, there is a finite number of each room type. If a room type you did not request becomes available, the Housing coordinator may offer you that spot. You will have 48 hours to accept. This deadline is strictly enforced.  

Please review your UCSC email account on a regular basis.

If there are no spaces that match your room preferences, you will be offered a different room type. This includes rooms at other housing areas including other Colleges, the Village, and the University Town Center. 

Alternate housing offers are made via UCSC email and require students accept the offer within forty-eight (48) hours or the offer is void and the space will be offered to another student. Closely monitor your UCSC email and/or set up email forwarding to have your UCSC email forwarded to another account you check regularly. Students who do not respond during the allotted time, or decline an offer of housing, will be moved to the general waitlist and will no longer receive Priority Status for placement.

If you were offered alternative housing, it means the housing community you applied for does not have a room that meets your requests listed in your application. 

When a student is assigned to housing, they get an automatic email titled "UCSC Housing Assignment Confirmation". That email will only contain confirmation of the assignment. Information about roommates and room placement will be sent in a separate email by the end of August.

While the majority of our assignments are usually finished by mid-August, we assign students through the first week of class. We are working diligently to house as many students as possible but, regretfully, we will not be able to provide university housing for all interested students and we anticipate very little movement off of the waitlist before the start of the Fall quarter.

Mark or flag housing emails as Important/VIP/etc. on your phone and in your email. 

The housing emails will be sent primarily from [email protected] and the email address of the housing community you applied to.

In particular, mark the "Housing Application acknowledgment" email you were sent when you applied to housing. By marking your “Housing Application Acknowledgement” email as important, your email will know to prioritize all housing emails so you are more likely to see an alternate housing offer.

Opt into texts from UCSC in MyUCSC Notification Preferences. The Housing Office may text you to check your email for an alternative housing offer.

Check your email daily. If you are offered an alternate housing assignment, you will have 48 hours to accept.

List as many room types as you would be comfortable taking. The more room types you list on your housing application, the more likely it is that an available room will match your preference increasing the likelihood of an assignment.

Why don’t I have priority? 

Priority housing eligibility is determined by a number of factors. This housing priority page explains the housing priority criteria and requirements for 2022-2023.

If you haven't heard from us, it means you are still on the waitlist and that you currently don't have housing. There is more information about the Waitlist and when you may learn about your housing on this FAQ.

Enrollment is holding steady at UCSC. Due to the limited supply of housing–on campus and in the Santa Cruz area–we are carefully managing our student enrollment. We are working  to hold enrollment steady at the current rates until additional housing is available.

Though the pandemic necessitated use of remote learning modalities, in-person learning remains the primary mode of instruction at UC Santa Cruz. We believe in-person learning provides the best opportunity for learning, development, and transformation.

If you have questions that are not addressed on the list, please reach out to your College Housing office for further assistance.

University News

• University News Home
• Monthly Newsletter

Other News & Events

• Campus Calendars

• UCSC Chancellor
• Press Releases
• Contacts for Reporters
• Send us an email
• Report an accessibility barrier
• Land Acknowledgment
• Accreditation

Last modified: July 21, 2022 128.114.113.87

• Welcome to UC Santa Cruz
• Introducing UC Santa Cruz
• Academic Programs
• Academic Units
• Undergraduate Admission
• Undergraduate Expenses
• Undergraduate Academic Program
• The Colleges
• Santa Cruz Community

College Residences

Redwood grove, the village, university town center, family student housing, camper park, graduate student housing, campus housing office, community rentals office.

• Athletics and Recreation
• Sustainable Living Center Programs
• Student-Run Cooperatives
• Transportation and Parking Services (TAPS)
• Student Health Services
• Resource Centers
• Student Activities
• Bay Tree Bookstore
• Child Care and Early Education Services
• UC Santa Cruz Alumni
• University Interfaith Council
• Graduate Information
• Resources, Residency, and Policies
• Teaching and Administrative Staff
• Academic Calendar
• Catalog Home
• All Catalogs

2023-24 UCSC General Catalog > Undergraduate Information > The Colleges and Student Life > Student Life > Housing

At UC Santa Cruz, students are housed in small-scale residential communities, which provide close-knit living environments within the larger university. Each community provides an academically and socially supportive environment and offers special programs designed to help students transition to campus life, build a strong connection with the campus, and get the most out of their UCSC experience. A space in university housing is guaranteed to all new undergraduate students entering in the fall quarter who submit all forms and required fees by stated deadlines.

After accepting the UC Santa Cruz offer of admission, all undergraduate students become affiliated with one of our 10 colleges. Once affiliated with a college, all students are sent information about the housing options available, and instructions for completing the online housing application/contract process. The housing options available to you will differ depending on whether you are a freshman or a transfer student. All students have access to campus dining facilities. Housing application periods open in mid-May for new freshmen and mid-June for new transfers entering in the fall.

The colleges differ in academic focus, environment, location, architecture, and programs offered. However, all 10 colleges are dynamic, engaging learning communities that offer opportunities for students to help build and shape their experiences.

Freshmen are generally assigned to live in residence halls at their college. Residence hall floors are typically shared by 15 to 50 students and have common bathrooms. Students can request to live in a mixed-gender (students of any gender live on the same floor or apartment, though bedrooms are single-gender) or single-gender (students of a single gender live on the same floor or apartment) area. Room assignments allowing transgender and gender-nonconforming students and their allies to live together in the same room regardless of gender or legal gender are also available by request. Apartments, typically shared by four to seven students, have common living/dining rooms, kitchens, and bathrooms, and a combination of shared and private bedrooms. Each community provides accessible housing for students with disabilities. Incoming transfer students reside at the Transfer Community, or the University Town Center, regardless of college affiliation.

A variety of theme-housing options are available for those who are interested. Based on academic pursuits, hobbies, individual backgrounds, and lifestyle preferences, these options serve to complement a student’s experience in residence.

Each college’s residential program is a team effort. Live-in student and professional staff members provide orientation and support services, organize activities and events, provide referral information about academic or personal concerns, and assist with roommate problems.

All students living in campus residence halls (including the transfer community) have a meal plan included in their housing contract. Meal plans are optional for apartment residents. Students with meal plans may use their student ID cards to access any of the dining halls on campus and to purchase menu items at UCSC Dining-operated cafes, coffee bars, and markets. More information on the colleges, including videos, can be found here and at the Housing website .

Located on the west side of campus, the Redwood Grove apartments are an extension of the transfer community at Porter College, and provide an apartment living environment for a limited number of incoming transfer students who are age 23 or older at the time they apply for housing . Each apartment has private and shared bedrooms, a living room, kitchen, dining room, and bathroom. Information is available at Redwood Grove and by email at [email protected] .

Located in the Lower Quarry, The Village is a unique community for continuing students. Each of the 17 houses features nine single bedrooms, three bathrooms, and a kitchenette. A meal plan is optional. A manager’s apartment, office, laundry facility, community kitchen, and community lounge are located on site. Information is available at The Village and by email at [email protected] .

The University Town Center, located at the corner of Pacific and Cathcart in downtown Santa Cruz, houses continuing and transfer students in two- and three-person studio apartments. A meal plan is optional. Information is available at UTC and by email at [email protected] .

Family Student Housing has apartments for students and their families. Students must reside with at least one eligible family member on a permanent, full-time basis. Eligible family members include children, a spouse or adult partner, a parent, or a sibling. The apartments are unfurnished, and each has two bedrooms, a bathroom, a small study, a combined living/dining area, and a kitchen. Several apartments are accessible to people with mobility impairments. Also, see information on child care and youth programs, below. Information is available at Family Student Housing , and by email at [email protected] .

A 42-space Camper Park is located on the north side of campus and includes university-owned single-occupant recreational vehicles that are rented to students. The park includes a community building with restrooms, showers and laundry facilities, and a lounge/study room. Information is available at Camper Park and by email at [email protected] .

Conveniently located adjacent to "Science Hill," home to many of UCSC's main academic facilities, each apartment offers four single bedrooms, a living room, kitchen, dining room, and bathroom. Ground floor apartments have decks, while upper apartments have private balconies. Information is available at grad housing and by email at [email protected] .

The Housing Office is responsible for the application and contract records for all single students living in campus residence halls and apartments, The Village, University Town Center, and Graduate Student Housing. Advisers are available on a drop-in basis to assist students with any questions regarding housing contract policies and procedures, housing and dining charges, payment plan options, meal plans, and more.

Location: 104 Hahn Student Services Building (8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday). Information is available at housing and by email at [email protected] .

Students interested in finding their own accommodations in the off-campus community are encouraged to use the resources available through the UCSC Community Rentals Office. Community Rentals maintains online rental listings to assist students in locating rental housing and serves as an information and advising resource.

Location: 104 Hahn Student Services (8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday). Information is available at community rentals and by email at [email protected] .

Crown College

Living at Crown

• Housing & Residential Education
• Residence Halls
• Themed Housing
• Changing Spaces at Crown
• Student and Parent Resources
• Frequently Asked Questions

HOUSING RESOURCES

• UCSC Housing​
• Fall 2023 Housing Info
• Housing Themes​
• Student Housing Portal
• Housing Basic Needs
• Off-Campus Housing
• Cancellation Process

The Housing Experience

At UC Santa Cruz students are housed in small-scale residential communities providing smaller, close-knit living environments. Live-in student and professional staff members provide orientation, support services, safety and crisis response, and a variety of social, educational, and cultural programs for residents.

First year students generally live in their college’s residence halls. Residence halls have common bathrooms and a combination of shared and private bedrooms. Our college has apartments as an option in subsequent years.

For more comprehensive information about housing at UCSC check out housing.ucsc.edu.

Common Housing Questions

Your housing assignment will be sent to your UCSC e-mail account by mid-August (or mid-December for new winter students). The e-mail will include your hall name, room type, and roommate information. Move-In information will also accompany your housing assignment.

You will be able to receive mail and packages at your college’s mail room. You will receive your mailbox number after you arrive on campus to move into your room. Due to limited space, it is not possible to have mail sent to the University prior to your arrival. Packages and mail sent to the University prior to new student move-in will be returned to sender, so be sure to have it arrive after you do.

For more Frequently Asked Questions related to housing, be sure to check out  UCSC’s Housing FAQ .

Important Reminders

• All future email will be sent to your UCSC email address. If you need help logging into your new email, see How to Access UCSC Google Email .
• For information for students living at Crown College, please take the time to review the Frequently Asked Questions .
• If you have any disabilities or need for special accommodation, please visit the Disability Resource Center website at drc.ucsc.edu and file a Housing Accommodation Form.
• If you have questions about living on campus that are not on the FAQ, please email the  Crown/Merrill Housing Office , or visit  housing.ucsc.edu
• What to Bring to College
• Information for Future Students

UC SANTA CRUZ, 1156 HIGH STREET, SANTA CRUZ, CA 95064 ©2022 REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

ACCREDITATION •   NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY •   LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT •   EMPLOYMENT •   PRIVACY POLICY & TERMS OF USE •   SEXUAL VIOLENCE PREVENTION & RESPONSE (TITLE IX)

• Skip to main content
• Skip to main navigation
• An Undergrad Student
• A Graduate Student
• Looking for Housing with My Family
• Looking for Off-Campus Housing
• A Summer Student
• A Parent or Guardian
• Communities
• Housing Rates
• Billing and Payment
• Housing Contract (Terms and Conditions)
• Housing Policies
• Housing Guarantee
• Housing Consolidation
• Academic Calendar (Registrar Website)
• Housing Calendar
• Important Dates for New Students
• Quarter Breaks
• Dining Website
• Flexi Dollars
• College/Community Housing Coordinators
• Campus Housing Office
• Maintenance Request
• Housing Application Process

Home / Graduate Student Housing

Graduate Student Housing

Campus Electrical Outage ⚡⚠ Attention Graduate Student Housing: The campus has notified the Colleges, Housing and Educational Services of a utility shutdown which will result in Graduate Student Housing being without electricity from Saturday, July 11 - Sunday, July 12 and Saturday, July 25 - Sunday, July 26

About Graduate Student Housing

Graduate Student Housing is an intimate community housing a diverse group of residents, including students from all over the United States and the world.

Three apartment buildings are located adjacent to "Science Hill", home to many of UCSC's main academic facilities. Each apartment has four single bedrooms, living room, kitchen, dining room, and bathroom. View virtual tours .

Starting Summer 2024, three additional four-bedroom apartments at Redwood Grove will be converted to graduate student housing. 

• The apartments at Redwood Grove are similar to those at Graduate Student Housing and the building (Building 16) is located very close to the Graduate Student Housing community (check the Graduate Housing map in the image gallery shown below on this page).
• The monthly rate is the same as Graduate Student Housing.
• Bathroom layouts in these apartments are different from the Graduate Student Housing bathroom layout (check the floor plan images shown below on this page).
• There is no direct mail service for these apartments at Redwood Grove.
• It is not yet known if students will be eligible for a parking permit at the Graduate Student Housing lot.

Application Processes

Apply for Graduate Student Housing through the Housing Portal . Space is limited.

When to apply:

• Continuing graduate students are encouraged to apply by May 10, 2024.
• New graduate students: The housing application period is May 2-10, 2024.

Applicants who cannot be assigned housing will be placed on a waiting list, and all late applications will be waitlisted.

Contract options:

• 12-month contract: July 1–June 30
• 10-month contract: September 1–June 30

If you receive a housing assignment after September 1, your contract date will be your move-in date as assigned by the GSH Housing Coordinator.

Hotel program : Contracts for the hotel program begin mid-September and end on June 30th, with short term summer housing available at another UCSC facility for those who are interested. 

Applying For Winter And Spring Quarters

Applications for Winter and Spring quarters typically open two months before the start of those quarters. Students on the waitlist for summer or fall will need to update their applications if they wish to remain on the waitlist for housing beginning in winter or spring.

Assignment Process

Most housing is assigned between May and June. A waitlist is maintained throughout the year and a limited amount of space may become available during the academic year. Space in on-campus Graduate Student Housing is primarily intended for year-round residents with 12-month contracts.

The order in which assignments to graduate student housing are considered:

• Current Graduate Student Housing residents who apply for a 12-month contract during the continuing student application period.*
• Other new and continuing graduate students who apply for a 12-month contract during their respective application periods.*
• New and continuing graduate students who apply for a 10-month contract during their respective application periods.*
• New and continuing graduate students who apply after the application periods. Late applications ordered by application received date.*

* If necessary, a lottery will be conducted to determine the assignment order.

Some or all instruction for all or part of the Academic Year may be delivered remotely. Tuition and fees have been set regardless of the method of instruction and will not be refunded in the event instruction occurs remotely for any part of the Academic Year. Figures for tuition and fees represent currently approved or proposed amounts and may not be final. Actual tuition and fees are subject to change by the University of California as determined to be necessary or appropriate. Final approved tuition and fee levels may differ from the amounts presented.

Graduate Student Housing and Redwood Grove Image Gallery

Click an image to view larger and scroll through the gallery.

Contact the Graduate Student Housing office at [email protected] .

• Graduate Apartments housing options
• What to Bring, and What NOT to Bring
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Disability Related Housing Accommodation
• Terms and Conditions
• Report an accessibility barrier
• Land Acknowledgment
• Accreditation

Last modified: May 2, 2024 128.114.113.87