We are glad that you are interested in returning to on-campus housing at Old Dominion University. This page contains process related information for current on-campus residents to obtain housing for the academic year. To ensure you have a successful experience navigating the housing application process, it is extremely important to read all material that is provided to you regarding sign-up.
Old Dominion University guarantees housing for new freshmen and current freshmen transitioning to their second year on campus. Housing & Residence Life staff work to maximize the opportunity to have as many students as possible experience residential living.
To apply, you will need:
- An active MIDAS account, MIDAS ID, and password.
- A valid credit/debit card for the $250 application fee. Your application is not complete until your application fee is made.
Before you begin:
- Review the Terms and Conditions of the Housing & Dining Contract to better understand the commitment you are making to ODU prior to applying for housing.
- Explore your options for Residential Communities and/or Living Learning Communities.
- Take the opportunity to review meal plan requirements/options for resident students.
Current On-Campus Resident
A current undergraduate student, who currently lives on-campus, attended Old Dominion University during the current academic year and will continue to be enrolled in an undergraduate program as a full-time student in the upcoming academic year.
2026-2027 Return Housing Timeline & Eligibility
- February 11 Return Housing Application Opens via ODU Housing Portal (12:00 pm)
- February 28 Return Housing Application Closes (11:59 am)
- March 2 (Ongoing): Upperclass LLC Statuses and Self-Selection
- March 4-5 Same-Room Sign-Up
- Same-Room Sign-Up is how eligible Upperclass residents can retain the same room for the next academic year if they apply for housing by Feb. 28. Eligible buildings are Dominion House, University Village, and Powhatan Apartments
- March 11 Cohort Selection
- Current cohort students (Freshman residents who lived on campus in the fall of 2025) who met the February 28 deadline and have not been assigned. Cohort selection buildings are Dominion House, University Village, Ireland House, Owens House, France House, and Powhatan Apartments
- March 12 Open Selection
- Upperclass residents in first year locations. (Non-same room signup spaces)
- This is not for current residents of Village, Powhatan, or Dominion.
- March 25 - 12:00 PM: Housing Application Reopens (Current & Continuing Student Application)
- April 8 (Ongoing): Auto-Allocation
- Auto-allocation is the assignments process in which an HRL staff member selects a room for applicants who have not been assigned through self-selection or LLC placement
- The Auto-Allocation process is ongoing and typically lasts through the opening of the Fall semester.
- These assignments are based on space availability
- Students assigned to housing on March 25 and thereafter will be prioritized as follows:
- Fall 2025 Freshmen
- Upperclassmen who applied by February 28 and who were not eligible for the same-room process
- Students who applied by February 28 but did not participate in Same-Room Sign-Up (Students in this category may be waitlisted depending on the demand for housing)
- Housing applications received on or after March 25 (Students in this category will be automatically waitlisted)
- May 15 Cancellation deadline for $200 credit
Selection Process Definitions
As a current resident of either University Village, Powhatan or Dominion House, students priority assignment process is Same-Room Sign Up (March 4 - March 5). Same-Room Sign Up allows you to keep your same room for the upcoming academic year. Your priority in receiving a 2026-2027 housing assignment is completing the Same-Room Sign Up. If you decide not to participate in Same-Room Sign Up, you will be waitlisted for an assignment via the Auto-Allocation process. So, even if you do not want to keep your same room, complete the process! You will have a chance to complete a room change in late spring throughout the summer. The Self-Guided Room Change process will be available (via the Assignment Status page) by early April; only those with an assignment will be able to see this area.
As a 1st-time college freshman that entered the university in the fall 2025 semester, your priority assignment process is Cohort Selection (March 11). Cohort Selection allows you to select from available spaces in Dominion, France, Owens, Gresham, Powhatan, and University Village. Your priority in receiving a 2026-2027 housing assignment is completing the Cohort Selection. If you decide not to participate in Cohort Selection, you will be placed in the Auto-Allocation process.
Based on the feedback received from students, HRL has implemented an Open Selection process to allow more students the opportunity to complete self-selection. Open Selection will allow upper class residents in non-same-room sign up communities to enter the Housing Portal to select bed spaces that are remaining after the first and second self-selection processes. To reiterate, Open Selection will happen as the third (3rd) selection process.
What does that mean? It means that your preferred buildings, or room types may not be available (ex: the quad most likely will not be available). It also means that full units may not be available to accommodate roommate groups. We fully anticipate to reach maximum capacity before the end of Open Selection.
What does that mean? It means that there will be some residents eligible for Open Selection that will not be able to participate in the process as all rooms will be reserved before their timeslot opens. Once all spaces have been reserved, the HRL Assignments team will close the process and use the Auto-
Allocation process to complete assignments based on cancellations. You should not worry if all spaces are reserved before your timeslot opens, cancellations are expected during the summer months and historically we have been able to assign all who applied by the priority deadline. Timeslots will be issued to eligible residents for Open Selection; timeslots will be ordered based on the complete date/time of the application.
Why is HRL offering a process that may not be available by the time my timeslot opens? Over the past few years, we have heard a common theme from residents in non-same-room sign up spaces wanting the opportunity to complete self-selection and this is the best way to offer this option. Historically, HRL would utilize Auto-Allocation to assign this group (Group #2).Through Auto-Allocation, the Assignments team would assign as many residents as possible at a given time; allow some time to pass for cancellations to occur and then assign the next batch of residents. This process happens throughout the summer months. So naturally, everyone would be able to fit over the course of the summer. Open Selection would essentially speed this process up; however, there will be more applicants than bed spaces and at a certain point we will need to wait for the cancellations to happen. Those who are not able to select during Open Selection will be prioritized in the normal Auto-Allocation process.
As you successfully completed your Housing Application you were eligible to select during one of our selection processes as your priority in securing an assignment for the upcoming year. However, our records reflect that you did not complete the process. As a result, your Housing Application has now been added to the Auto-Allocation Waitlist. Being waitlisted does not ensure you will receive an assignment; the waitlist is merely a way for you to wait in line for an open room.
As a reminder, Auto-Allocation is the assignment process in which a room is selected for you based on space availability. Please acknowledge, spaces in a preferred building with preferred roommates cannot be guaranteed. Auto-Allocation is a process where the housing system will automatically assign spaces based on current vacancies. The Auto-Allocation process is ongoing and typically lasts through the opening of the fall semester. Students will be prioritized as follows (you are in category #3):
1. Fall 2025 Freshmen (Cohort)
2. Upperclassmen who applied by February 28 and who were not eligible for the same-oom process
3. Students who applied by February 28 but did not participate in Same Room Sign Up (University Village, Powhatan, Dominion House). Students in this category may be waitlisted depending on the demand for housing.
4. Returning Applications received on or after March 25. Students in this category will be automatically waitlisted
As you consider living on campus, don’t forget about our Honors College & Living-Learning Communities! The Honors College & Living-Learning Communities Application will be available after you complete your Housing Application (visible on the menu bar on the Portal Home page). Available upperclassmen living learning communities include:
Honors College (Virginia House), Spectrum (Ireland House), Service Learning (Ireland House), Foundation House (Foundation House), and Summit (Powhatan). Honors College & LLC Self-Selection will begin March 3 and continue throughout the summer months. (Please note that eligibility is determined by the Honors College or Leadership & Learning Department.)
Expanded Housing
Housing & Residence Life may find it necessary to expand our capacity to support the opportunity for as many students as possible to live on campus at ODU. Expanded housing accommodations for students may include the temporary expansion of on-campus spaces or securing off-site housing accommodations.
Residential amenities offered for traditional assignments are available to students living in expanded housing. These include room furnishings, desk coverage, secure access, staffing, laundry, meals, and shuttle service. Residents can and should utilize all campus resources available to any student living on-campus housing. Our staff are committed to ensuring your academic success wherever you reside.
Any student who completes an application for on-campus housing can be assigned to temporary accommodations. The length of stay can range from a few days to an entire semester. If a student is assigned to a temporary space, they will be reassigned to a permanent room as space permits. Moving assistance is available as needed. As with on-campus housing, you will be asked to consolidate your room if there is a vacancy. Our goal is to ensure you have a rewarding on-campus experience.
Reminders
- All students interested in living on campus for the school year must complete a housing application (this includes residents in apartment communities).
- Students interested in Gender Inclusive Housing can apply within the housing application. Visit the Gender Inclusive Housing page for additional information.
- If you are registered with Educational Accessibility, you need to contact their office to request housing accommodations for the academic year.
Important Process Updates
- Once you are assigned housing, you will be able to select your meal plan directly through the Card Center. Instructions for selecting a meal plan will be available in the ODU Housing Portal and your housing confirmation notice.