Housing Cycle Overview
Last updated: October 5, 2026
Setting up a housing cycle involves configuring key phases, applications, assignments, and financial settings to streamline housing operations. Each section below outlines a critical step in the setup process, ensuring a structured and efficient workflow.
What is a Housing Cycle?
A housing cycle refers to the designated period in which students apply for, select, and manage their housing assignments, as well as their non-residential status. These cycles can accommodate both residential students applying for on-campus housing and non-residential students who need access to specific campus services, like commuter meal plans or other housing-related resources.
Administrators have the flexibility to create multiple concurrent housing cycles, tailored to different student populations. These cycles can be customized to manage applications, room assignments, and related processes, ensuring each group of students experiences a streamlined and customized housing journey.
See here for FAQs and best practices with housing cycles.
Housing Selection Process from the Student Perspective
As you configure your housing cycle, it’s important to understand the student experience throughout the process. This includes everything from submitting applications to selecting rooms and preparing for move-in. For more detailed information on what students can expect at each stage, refer to the student experience overview.
Learn more about the housing selection process for students.
Configure the General Page
The General Page is the first step in setting up a housing cycle, where you define essential details such as the housing cycle name, start and end dates, and SIS integration. This page sets the foundation for the rest of the housing cycle setup and ensures that all student information is accurate before they can proceed with the application process.
Learn more about configuring the general page here.
Set Up Housing Cycle Phases
Phases define critical milestones within the housing cycle, such as application submission, roommate selection, and room selection periods. Configuring each phase properly is vital to ensure students are able to complete the necessary steps in the housing process.
Learn more about setting up the application phase here.
Learn more about setting up roommate selection phases here.
Learn more about setting up room selection phases here.
Set Up Room Selection Methods
Room selection methods dictate how students choose their housing during the room selection phase. You can configure an all-at-once selection, where groups of students select rooms simultaneously, or a housing lottery, where students are assigned timeslots based on randomization or application submission.
Learn more about configuring an all at once selection here.
Learn more about configuring a lottery selection here.
Configure Application Settings
Application settings control how students interact with the application process. This includes selecting the application form, roommate questionnaires, and application checklists. These settings ensure that students complete the necessary requirements before moving to room selection.
Learn more about configuring application settings here.
Setting up Move-in and Move-out
Move-in and move-out periods determine when students can arrive or depart from their housing assignments, ensuring a smooth transition. Moving groups, which are pre-defined sections of students scheduled for specific move-in or move-out times, help organize this process efficiently by assigning students to designated time slots and providing tailored instructions.
Learn more about configuring move-in and move-out periods here.
Learn more about creating moving groups here.
Manage Required Documents and Forms
Institutions may require students to sign electronic documents or complete additional forms as part of the housing process. These could include waivers, housing agreements, or other necessary documentation. Proper setup of these documents is crucial to ensure students are compliant before move-in.
Configure Fees and Financial Settings
Housing cycle fees can be configured to automate charges at different stages of the housing process, such as application submission or bed assignment. Admins can set up automatic billing based on student actions and ensure that fees are applied consistently.
Learn more about configuring fees and financial settings here.
Manage Meal Plans
Meal plans can be integrated into the housing cycle, allowing students to select plans that best fit their needs. This includes configuring mandatory and optional meal plans based on institutional policies. You can also set up prorated billing for students who select a meal plan after the official start of the cycle.
Learn more about managing meal plans here.
Manage Room Condition Reports
Room Condition Reports (RCRs) allow students to document the condition of their room before moving in and after moving out. Administrators can configure RCRs to ensure accurate records of each room’s condition, helping to prevent disputes over damages at the end of the term.
Learn more about managing room condition reports here.
Housing Cycle Rollover for Continuous Assignments
When a housing cycle is coming to an end but assignments need to carry over (for example, from fall to spring), a housing cycle rollover is essential. It allows administrators to seamlessly transfer existing data, such as room assignments and student preferences, into the new housing cycle. This ensures that returning students can keep their assignments without reapplying, reducing administrative work and preventing disruptions in housing assignments for students who will continue in the same housing through the next term.