New Student Housing Timeline
For specific date, please see our Arrival/Closing Dates and Information page.
- Receive an acceptance letter from Admissions Office.
- Pay the $200 admission deposit, which includes your housing deposit.
- After gaining access to your Cortland Email Account, it will take 24-48 hours to be able to access your housing portal via myRedDragon
- Fill out and submit your Housing Application and Roommate Preference Form via myRedDragon
- If you are requesting housing accommodations, please contact Disability Resources.
- Housing assignment and roommate information will be available around August 3, 2026 once assigned on the housing portal accessible via myRedDragon.
General Housing Information
- Freshmen are typically assigned to live in a room with freshmen.
- Transfers are typically assigned to live with either another transfer student or a returning student.
- Students will be able to form roommate groups, after housing applications get approved.
Housing Requirements
- All new freshmen are required to live on campus for four semesters or two full years.
- All new transfers are required to live on campus for two semesters or one full year.
Automatic approval to live off campus*
- You are over the age of 21 by August 31 for the fall semester and January 15 for the spring semester
- You commute from parent/guardian home (50 mile radius from campus is considered local; home address will be verified)
- You are married
- You are a veteran
Students eligible for automatic approval to live off campus must still complete the Release from Housing request, available on the housing portal via myRedDragon. For more information regarding the release policy please review our room and board license.
What to Expect from your Residence Hall community
You are a member of your residence hall community. We believe a residence hall is more than a place for a break from classes; it is a vibrant and active community — the center for student life. We encourage you to develop an awareness of the many opportunities that this presents and challenge you to take advantage of this setting to increase your leadership abilities and social development.
It is important that each resident's actions contribute to the development of a strong, safe, positive community within the residence hall. As a community member, you are expected to contribute in a positive manner.
