2025 - 26 Housing Selection Changes FAQ
Why has SCAD made the decision to give priority to first-year students and sophomores?
This decision has been made to ensure that our newest and less experienced students are given the best possible start at SCAD. This policy aligns us with other universities in the United States and will provide our newest and less experienced students with the same solid foundation for success that our upperclass students have already received through their own years of SCAD residential experience.
We also believe that it is important for our upperclass students to experience living off-campus while they still have access to SCAD resources and support systems, so they can develop new skill sets and prepare for life after college.
Why are rising sophomores being given priority over seniors?
These are typically our first- and second-year students who are less prepared to live independently off campus, and we want to do all that we can to support their foundations for success. Our upperclass students will not be excluded from this process, but those eligible to participate will select later in the process, and we cannot guarantee housing availability.
We recognize that this change may be disappointing to some students, but we feel strongly that this step will provide our newest and less experienced students with the solid foundation that our upper-class students have already received through their own years of SCAD experience.
We also believe that it is important for our upperclass students to experience living off-campus while they still have access to SCAD resources and support systems, so they can develop new skill sets and prepare for life after college.
What is SCAD going to do to support me in finding off-campus housing?
SCAD will offer several resources, including our off-campus housing resource guide, as well as workshops, to support students as they explore off-campus housing options and availability.
What is SCAD doing to support me as an off-campus student?
In addition to providing guidance through our off-campus housing resource guide, all SCAD students can still access our bus routes, dining halls, SCAD Libraries and academic workspaces, and services, including SCADcares, SCAD Department of University Safety, and SCAD SafeRide. The safety and wellbeing of our students is of paramount importance, and our faculty and staff are on hand to offer any assistance students may require.
Will there be no housing at all for rising junior and senior students?
All students will still be able to apply for housing. Due to the live-on requirement for first year students and the new prioritization of our rising sophomores, this means that we will not be able to guarantee housing for rising juniors, seniors, or graduate students. We recommend those populations consider off-campus options. Students who desire to live on campus should monitor their SCAD email and meet all applicable housing deadlines.
Will Ann Street be an option for on-campus housing next year?
Yes, there will be limited SCAD housing available at Ann Street. You can find more information about Ann Street here.
Will I lose a portion of my SCAD scholarship if I can’t live on campus?
The university provides housing scholarship support to students who live on campus. Students who do not live on campus are not eligible to receive this particular scholarship.
80% of SCAD applicants receive some form of scholarship, and the university has a variety of ways to financially support students through both merit- and need-based scholarships. Continuing students who are on schedule to complete a minimum of 45 undergraduate credit hours or 15 graduate credit hours by the end of spring quarter may be considered for additional financial aid. The scholarship application for current students is available online during the month of April only. Applicants are automatically considered for all scholarships for which they are eligible.
Can I change my gender preferences for next year without affecting it for this year?
You can opt in or out of gender inclusive housing when you complete the housing application. Doing so will not impact your housing for the current academic year. We advise you to carefully read the gender inclusive agreement in the housing application to ensure that you select the right option for you.
If a roommate in my group submits their application or application fee after the deadline, will that affect anything?
If an individual in your preferred group submits the housing application fee or housing application after April 1, you will not be able to verify your roommate group and you will be assigned a housing selection ticket according to your application submission date on an individual basis.
Does paying early have a benefit? Same for application?
The Housing Application Fee and housing application are both due on the same day, April 1. The housing application will open on Feb. 1, 2025, for all students who wish to apply for housing prior to payment. Selection priority will be based on date of application submission. In the event you have not both submitted your application and paid your housing application fee by April 1; you will not be eligible to participate in the housing selection process.
How are housing selection time tickets distributed? Who is prioritized?
Time tickets will be issued via your SCAD email. Tickets will be issued for 30-minute selection windows between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET on Fridays between April 18, 2025, to May 23, 2025. In the event you miss your time ticket, you will not be able to select housing until the selection process has been completed for all students. Priority selection is granted to students with accommodations who have applied for or renewed accommodations before the priority deadline of Feb. 1, 2025.
Do students need to renew their housing accommodations?
Students with existing housing accommodations through the office of disability resources that were approved prior to Sept. 9, 2024 need to renew their accommodations for the new academic year. Accommodation renewal for priority selection is due by Feb. 1, 2025. In the event you miss this priority deadline, we will endeavor to meet your accommodation, but it will be based on availability. Housing accommodations are not guaranteed.
How do I verify a roommate group? What happens if I do not?
If you are the group leader, visit the roommate selection screen. Once you have finalized your roommate group, click on the “verify group” button in the top right corner of the roommate matching page. If you do not verify your roommate group, you will not be assigned with them. Roommate groups MUST be verified by group leaders by April 11, 2025.
I want to change my campus after submitting my application, how do I do this?
The first step is to reach out to your student success adviser regarding your plans for the quarter. Once you have confirmed that you wish to switch campus locations and changed your class registration, you can submit a location change request via MySCAD > My Info > SCADhome > Room/Location Change Request.
Which quarters does this housing application cover?
A single housing application covers the entire academic year, from fall through spring. In the event you have “rolled” your application from one quarter to another, we can reactivate your application on request. If you wish to apply for housing for the summer quarter, you will need to complete a separate summer housing application.
I do not want to commit to the entire year, can’t I just sign up for a quarter?
The housing licensing agreement (HLA) is a legally binding document that covers the entire academic year. We do not offer an option to only secure housing for a single quarter. If a student is graduating or needs to withdraw for academic reasons, they can submit a cancellation request to request release from the agreement.