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Housing
Indiana University Bloomington
Returning students

Plan your return to campus living

The biggest question about your living arrangements after your first year on campus is likely to be: “Should I move off campus or not?” We recommend that you consider costs, lifestyle, study abroad opportunities, proximity to classes, and transportation before making your decision.

Returning students

To be eligible for housing as a returning student, you must currently live on campus. If you’d like to continue living on campus, you can apply for the opportunity to do so. Specific areas of campus and certain room types are reserved for current residents.

Most students living with IU Housing for the fall semester already have a contract for the full academic year and do not need to apply separately for spring housing.

One-semester housing contracts are available for students who will be studying abroad or away from campus for part of the academic year. If you’re returning to IU after studying abroad, completing an internship, or otherwise being away from campus, we’re happy to welcome you back. Contact us to learn more about housing options and availability.

To return to your same space you must live in a qualified space. All students that are in qualifying spaces will be sent an email invitation. Qualified spaces include:

  • Unfurnished apartments (Campus View, Third & Union, Tulip Tree, University East)
  • Furnished apartments (Union Street Center)
  • Select Residence Halls (Wells, Willkie/Mason, Ashton, Eigenmann, Wright) Note: Mason is the only option for roommates in this section

Application time period

  • Applications open November 2 at 10 a.m. (EDT)
  • Applications close December 4 at 12 p.m. (EDT)

Cancellation
Applicants can submit a cancellation request within 48 hours of completing the application with no cancellation fee. After 48 hours has passed from the completion of the contract. Contract holders are subject to all fees outlined in the cancellation section of the housing contract.

If a contract holder chooses to complete a housing application during this time period, they will then no longer be able to participate In the Space selection application.

This will be the first step in the process, if you chose not to participate in the same space application period.

Any student that is interested in living on campus must complete this section to be given a timeslot for the Renewal selection application

Application time period

  • Applications open January 19 at 10 a.m. (EDT)
  • Applications close February 19 at 12 p.m. (EDT)

Residents that fully complete the application will also have a section to make a roommate group.

  • These are only for the multi room spaces (Campus View, Mason, Tulip Tree, Union Street Center)
  • This will be a two factor approval between each party. Meaning if you request a person, that person must accept the request for the group to be confirmed

Please review 3D tours for more information about spaces.

Timeslots

Each applicant who completes the Renewal selection application will receive an email with their assigned selection timeslot on February 20.

Applicants in a completed roommate group
The applicant with the earliest assigned timeslot will select a room on behalf of the entire group.

Space selection application

  • Space selection is first-come, first-served based on each applicant’s assigned timeslot.

  • During space selection, applicants can view and choose from spaces available in real time. Availability may change frequently as other applicants make their selections.

  • Each student holds an individual housing contract for one bed space.

  • The space selection application allows only one selection. Once a selection is finalized, the applicant is committed to that space and cannot continue browsing or selecting other spaces in the application.

  • Applicants have up to 48 hours after completing space selection to cancel their contract without a cancellation fee.

  • After the 48-hour window, applicants are subject to the cancellation fees outlined in the housing contract.

For more information, please log in to the housing portal.

Select your space

Things returning students need to know

  1. If you change your mind, you have 48 hours after electronically signing a contract to cancel without being charged a financial penalty.
  2. Returning residents are not required to purchase an IU Dining meal plan.. Additional meal plan options are now available to you. Learn more at IU Dining.
  3. If you select a double room or larger space and do not secure roommates, you will be randomly assigned roommates.
  4. Students under 18 years old may not enter into a contract for next year without parent or guardian approval. 
  5. If you are applying for a Resident Assistant or CommUNITY Educator position for the fall semester and want to live on campus if you aren't selected, you should secure housing through the housing portal. If you are selected, we will cancel your housing contract without any cancellation fees.

Living off campus

Don’t be pressured into signing something you’re unsure about. If you decide to live in an off-campus property, do the following before you commit: