The Academic Year 2025-2026 Housing Application is NOW OPEN for INCOMING FRESHMEN!
First-year students are required to live on campus in our residential halls unless they have an approved exemption from Housing.
Select one of the options in the left sub-navigation menu under New Students for more information regarding Transfers and Exemptions.
First-Year Student Upcoming Application Timeline
The Academic Year Housing Application went live on December 10th in the Housing Portal.
The first-year student housing priority date is May 1st of the upcoming academic year. We are committed to our first-year student housing, therefore, we accept applications through the start of the Academic Year based on availability.
All freshmen are required to live on campus for the full academic year. All new, incoming freshmen must submit either a housing application or an exemption request
Pay the Enrollment Fee of $250 to accept your offer with Admissions
Ensure you have your Net ID or complete that step on the Patriot Pass Website
Submit your housing application (inclusive of $150 application fee) or submit your request for an exemption, on the Housing Portal by May 1st
Be part of a Residential Learning Community, and check out your RLC options
Meal plan selection and roommate grouping will take place during the summer. Please check your Mason email in May for the next steps of the Housing Process.
We want everyone to enjoy the full spectrum of the college experience, including living on campus. However, we understand that life happens, and that scenario doesn't work for all of our students.
All First-Year students are required to live on campus unless they have approval from Housing & Residence Life to be exempt from this requirement. New, incoming Fall Semester freshmen who believe they qualify for a waiver and want/need to live off campus can submit an exemption request online via the housing portal by logging in with your Mason NetID and password.
If you want to know if you are eligible for an exemption, find out more here .
Students who plan to submit an exemption request should complete their exemption request by May 1st (the priority deadline) as exemption requests are not guaranteed.
If You Are A Transfer Student
Transfer students are welcome to apply to live on campus, but space could be limited. The priority might go to first-year students. Housing Applications for transfer students go live on April 15th. Please visit the Transfer Students Page
If You Are An Off-Campus Student
If you are currently an off-campus student, and are looking to live on campus, then you're in the right place! Housing Applications for off-campus students go live on April 15th. For More info on how to apply if you are an off-campus student, please visit this page
A Residential Learning Community (RLC) is a group of students intentionally living together on campus who have a shared interest in an academic, identity, or interest theme. We provide RLC options for all these aspects: academic, identity, and interest. Housing & Residence Life's Residential Learning Communities offer an inclusive environment that promotes critical thinking skills and increased enrichment living on campus. Research shows that RLCs offer one-on-one interactions with faculty and staff members and exciting opportunities for academic and extracurricular activities! All communities are led by a team of supportive students and staff committed to providing members with a space for personal growth and academic excellence. Living in an RLC gives students the chance to live amongst their peers and find their place within the Mason community. When living in an RLC, students will join like-minded peers to explore their passion areas on a deeper level, connect to vital campus resources, and grow both in and out of the classroom. Students in the same learning communities live together in a residence hall, which makes it easier to make connections within the Mason community.
When will I need to complete my housing application?
Submit your application on the housing portal by the May 1st priority deadline.
When will I get my Residential Learning Community Placement?
Check your Mason email in late May to see which Residential Learning Community you have been placed in.
When will I be able to select my roommate(s)?
Group with other students in the housing portal in June. Instructions will be sent to your Mason email in late May. You will also be able to select your meal plan at this time.
When will I get my housing assignment?
Check your Mason email in July to get your housing assignment and roommate information.
Is it mandatory to live on campus as a freshman?
Yes! All freshmen must live on campus, unless they are exempt. Please read the exemption process overview page to find out if you are exempt from living on campus.
If I was admitted to George Mason University after May 1st, can I still still apply to live on campus?
Yes! But we cannot guarantee availability, it is on a first come first serve basis and you will be placed in a waiting list. You can engage with us via the housing application portal for further information.
When is roommate grouping?
Grouping opens on the housing portal on May 30th, and closes on June 22nd,