Have You Completed These Steps Prior To Accessing The Housing Portal
- Have you been accepted to USC-Columbia Campus?
- Have you paid your enrollment deposit?
- Have you waited 48-72 hours after you paid your enrollment deposit before logging into the My Housing Portal?
- Have you set-up your USC username and password and set up multi-factor authentication?
FALL 2025 APPLICATION PROCESS
The housing application opens Jan. 15 and can be accessed through the My Housing Portal at my.sc.edu. Once there, select the “Student / Authorized Users” tab at the top. Then scroll down to the “Personal” section and click on “My Housing Portal.”
Select “Columbia” from the dropdown menu and log in to the housing portal to complete the application.
The application deadline is May 5. Please note that the university requires first-year students to live on campus.
If you would like to request special housing accommodations, including gender-inclusive housing, complete the information in the “USC Housing Options” section of the application.
Incoming students must also register disability or health-related accommodations with the Student Disability Resource Center before
Special Interest Groups Are you looking to connect with peers who share similar passions? A special interest groups may be the perfect place for you! Immerse yourself in what you enjoy and build meaningful connections along the way.
• Music 650 Lincoln - Blossom
• Q Sphere Location coming soon
• ROTC Bates West
• Sustainability Green Quad
Living and Learning Communities You can apply for a themed living and learning community (LLC) where students come together to explore topics of interest. These communities are led by a faculty member who is an expert in their field.
• Capstone Scholars Capstone Residence Hall and Columbia Hall
• Engineering and Computing Campus Village, Building 3
• First-Generation Maxcy
• Galen Health Fellows Patterson Hall
• Global Fellows South Quad
• Honors Community Honors Residence Hall
• IDEA Community Campus Village, Building 2
• Preston Residential College for Leadership Preston College
Most students will live in traditional, suite or pod-style residence halls. Each hall has a unique history, set of traditions, personality and opportunities for its residents. Review our residence halls including 360-degree tours of each building. Styles and pricing vary, so be sure to review all the options before selecting the hall that best meets your needs.
Before submitting your housing application, you are required to pay a $100 nonrefundable application fee. The last day to cancel your housing application with no fee is May 1.
Students with extenuating circumstances may request to have the fee deferred until the fall by completing the deferral form.
After submitting your housing application, you will receive an email once you become eligible to participate in roommate matching. Roommate matching will be done through the My Housing Portal at my.sc.edu.
Once in My Housing Portal, you will have two options for choosing a roommate:
Option 1: Using their screen name, select a student with whom you wish to live. Only students who have submitted their housing application will appear on this list.
Option 2: View the profiles of potential roommate matches. This list includes the top 25 students who answered similarly to the profile questions you completed in the housing application. You can use their screen name to message the student in My Housing Portal and begin a conversation.
Once you choose a student, send a roommate request. After the request is accepted by the student, both you and the student will receive confirmation emails.
If you do not wish to roommate match, you will be able to view the profiles of the student(s) who selected the same room as you during the room selection process.
Note: Regardless of which option you choose, you can return to the housing application in My Housing Portal to review, cancel or find a new roommate.
Beginning in early June, students who submit a housing application by May 5 will be allowed to select their residence hall and room through the “My Housing Portal” at my.sc.edu during a designated selection day and time. These dates and times vary by building and community and will be available imid-May in the My Housing Portal.
Priority for room selection is based on the day and time a student submits the housing application. Roommates with the earliest day and time should make the selection on behalf of both roommates.
Note: If you are accepted into a living and learning community or special interest community, you will only select your room, as the building is already predetermined. Students in these communities will go through the room selection process prior to the general population.
One of the most memorable days of your college experience is move-in day. Learn everything you need to know about packing, loading, unloading, unpacking and setting up your room at sc.edu/movein. University Housing will also be hosting virtual sessions. Check your university email for invitations to these sessions. Additionally, they will also be hosting special presentations at Orientation to share everything you need to know about calling Carolina home in the fall.
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Housing Fee Deferral Form
First-year students who are experiencing a financial hardship may fill out the deferral request form.
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Housing Exemption Form
First-year students who live within Richland or Lexington County are eligible to request a Housing Exemption.
Students must email us to gain access to the exemption process in the Housing Portal.
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Cancel Housing Application
Students who need to cancel their Housing Application may email us.
Keep in mind, freshmen are required to live on campus for a full academic year. Be sure to read your housing contract and all of the details about housing cancellations and refunds.