When can I apply for Housing for the Academic Year?
The Housing application opens by October 1 every year.
Where can I apply for University Housing?
Housing applications are found on the MYISU Portal
How much does it cost to apply for housing?
A $150 refundable deposit is required for Residence Hall applications to be processed and room to be reserved. Apartment applications do not pay the $150 deposit until an apartment is offered.
Can the deposit be waived and/or paid by financial aid (scholarships)?
The housing deposit cannot be paid by financial aid and/or scholarships as it is a refundable security deposit. All students are required to pay a deposit prior to checking into and/or reserving a space with University Housing.
Can I pay the housing deposit through check or money order? Can I pay over the phone?
Payments must be made via Credit or Debit card via your MYISU housing portal page or cash or check at our Housing Office. Our Housing Office does not accept payment for housing charges listed on your MyISU account.
When will I receive my Housing Assignment?
First-year students will receive their building assignments on the 20th of each month starting in March of each year, unless notified otherwise. Building assignments will be sent to your ISU email accounts.
If I am put on the waitlist, am I on the waitlist for my top preference or on the waitlist for on-campus housing?
If placed on the waitlist, you are on the waitlist for all on-campus housing. Our priority for students on the waitlist is to get them into on-campus housing. This means that if a spot becomes available and it does not match the preferences listed in your application, we will assign you to the space. Changing your preferences in your application will not affect your waitlist position.
I do not like my Housing assignment, is there a way that it can be changed?
Please email us at reslife@isu.edu and we can submit a request to have your housing assignment changed. Please include your name, student ID number, current assignment, and requested assignment. Note that we cannot guarantee that we will be able to move you. Housing assignments are made based on the timestamp of the application and the paid deposit (first come first serve basis). If a spot opens in your requested building, we will notify you via email.
When will I find out my room assignment?
Room assignments are not given until the time of check-in. You will receive your building assignment on the 20th of each month starting in March.
How do I select my roommates?
On your Housing application please list the first and last name of the individuals you are requesting to room with during the year. Please note all roommates need to list each other, as well as have the same building preferences in the same order to have the opportunity to be roomed together.
I received an assignment, but my friend was placed on the waitlist. Is there a way I can request them to be my roommate?
You can request to be roommates, however being assigned as a roommate will depend upon whether or not the individual is offered a space within University Housing. Requesting someone on the waitlist does not advance them over others on the waitlist.
When can I move in?
You can begin moving in one week before fall classes begin for the fall semester and on the Friday before classes begin for the spring semester (spring semester students). A scheduled appointment will be needed.
What tasks to I need to complete in advance of move-in?
- Register for classes, if you have not done so already.
- Check to be sure you are enrolled in at least 6 credits (this is the minimum to be eligible for on-campus housing).
- Check your MYISU Portal page to create a plan for payment of University and Housing Licensing fees.
What should I pack to bring with me? What shouldn't I bring?
When you’re packing up, be sure to review the What to Bring and What to Leave Home page on our website. In short, remember that your residence hall space is furnished (leave your bed, desk, dresser, and mattress at home), and that residence hall spaces are modest-sized. You are way more likely to over-pack than under-pack. Some items are restricted so be sure to review the list.
How many people can I bring with me to campus?
You can bring as many individuals as you would like. This is an exciting day and we encourage you to bring the people you wish to enjoy this day. Please note there may be limited parking available so please plan ahead regarding parking and/or carpooling to the actual move-in appointment.
This depends on your assigned building. On your move-in appointment you can find information about your specific arrival area and parking lots.
We do not currently offer any individuals that assist with moving in personal items.
You can submit your request on your MyISU account (under the Housing Portal).
How do I pay for housing and when is the first payment due?
You have two options (both on your MyISU account) under the Online Fee Payment Card, you can pay in full for the semester at the beginning of the billing period or you can enroll in a payment plan.
You can also pay at the Cashier's Office (3rd floor of the Administration building). You can not pay a housing deposit at the Cashier's Office.
Fall housing charges will be posted to student accounts typically in late April and spring housing charges will be posted in November.
Please be aware that any past due amounts on your account, whether it be Housing or other University charges could prevent you from registering and fees are due by the first day of classes each semester.
Meal Plan Payment
Meal plan payments are due by the dates as established in the tuition and fee schedule for ISU, unless the resident is paying through ISU's installment loan program. Please see the Division of Finance page for details on affordable payment plans, also referred to as installment loans.
For students not using the installment loan program, a $50.00 late fee is assessed on amounts not paid by Monday of the first week of classes each semester. An additional $50.00 late fee is assessed if fees are not paid by the tenth day of classes.
Late fees will only be waived upon approval of the Director of Housing.
During the second week of the semester, no-shows and meal plans will be processed and charges will be adjusted accordingly.
Payment plans may be accepted, but only when all awarded financial aid has been exhausted, including Pell grants, scholarships, subsidized loans, unsubsidized loans, Parent Plus loans, etc.
If the meal plan is not paid in full, and the student is not using an ISU installment loan, the meal plan will be deactivated until paid in full. The full meal plan price must be paid whether the meal plan is active or inactive.
If housing and/or meal plan charges are not paid in full by the time they are due, and no payment arrangements have been made, action may be taken up to and including eviction.
* These rates are the proposed 2024-2025 academic year rates. Rates are tentative until approved by the Idaho State Board of Education.
Each rate for the residence halls is a semester charge.
What food and meal plan options can I choose on campus?
ISU has a variety of dining venues across campus, from Bengal Street in the Rendezvous, Einstein's and Chick-fil-A in the Pond Student Union, and Turner Dining Commons. Please visit ISU Housing's page on Meal Plans to see all Housing Meal Plan options. Freshman and sophomore students who live in the residence halls are required to have a meal plan. Meal plans are optional for junior and above students. Please direct all other questions regarding the Meal Plan to food@isu.edu.
How do I change my meal plan?
Email reslife@isu.edu to change your meal plan. You have the first two weeks of each semester to change your meal plan.
What happens to unused meals and unused flex money?
Unused meals will expire at the end of the fall semester (or at the end of each week for weekly meal plans).
Unused flex money will carry over to the spring semester from the fall semester (only when a meal plan is purchased for the spring semester). Unused flex money will expire in December if a spring meal plan is not purchased.
All unused meals and unused flex money will expire at the end of the spring semester.
The Housing License Agreement is a legally binding agreement that covers the full academic year (fall and spring semesters). Students must be enrolled in at least six (6) credits to be eligible to continue to live on campus.
The housing rates for the agreement do include the winter break, if a student lives in on-campus housing both Fall and Spring semesters. However additional costs may apply if a student leaves on-campus housing mid-year or is no longer enrolled in enough credits to remain in housing. If you plan to leave your housing assignment before the end of the academic year, you may be liable for additional cancellation and/or housing fees.
What is the duration of my housing agreement?
Your agreement is for the entire academic year, which includes fall and spring semesters. To terminate your agreement prior to the completion of Spring Semester, you must meet one of the conditions stated in the housing agreement.
Does my agreement include the holiday break between fall and spring semester?
Yes. You can stay in your residence hall during the semester break between fall and spring semester at no additional cost. However, residents not remaining in Housing for spring semester must complete a proper check-out no later than 2:00 pm the day after finals end. Students who remain in housing during semester break and then cancel for spring will be charged a per night rate.
Is on-campus housing guaranteed?
Due to limited availability, we cannot guarantee on-campus housing to everyone who applies. ISU Housing can provide a list of off-campus resources that will help students, faculty, and staff with their search for housing in the Pocatello community. Please reach out to ISU Housing at reslife@isu.edu to obtain this list.
What is gender-inclusive housing?
Gender-inclusive housing is an option that you can select as a preference when you apply to live on campus.
“Gender Inclusive” housing means that you can be housed with any other student regardless of their gender identity. For example:
- If you want to live with a friend who is not the same gender as you, you can both select “Gender Inclusive” housing on your applications.
- If you don’t have a roommate preference but would like to live with people of different genders
What considerations should I take when selecting gender-inclusive housing?
There are a lot of reasons why you may choose gender-inclusive housing as an option, but here are some things to remember:
- Gender-inclusive housing is offered, as space is available.
- If we do not have space for all applicants who request gender-inclusive housing, we will house people who request gender-inclusive housing according to the gender identity listed on their application
- In order to be assigned to gender-inclusive housing all students in the unit must have requested “Gender Inclusive” as a preference on the housing application
If you have questions regarding gender-inclusive housing, please contact reslife@isu.edu or (208)282-2120 to answer your questions.
What are accommodations?
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, Idaho State is considered a public accommodation and may not discriminate against people with disabilities. Idaho State must provide equal access to all people by removal of physical barriers, provision of auxiliary aides, and “make reasonable changes in policies, practices and procedures to avoid discrimination.” – Source: Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
What if I need a single room, support animal, or another housing accommodation due to a medical need?
All housing accommodations are determined on a case-by-case basis as follows:
- Contact the Disability Services Office and follow their documentation process
- Disability Services will contact University Housing with their recommendations of reasonable accommodations to be made for you
- University Housing will notify you of your specific assignment and accommodation via your ISU email account
- If accommodations cannot be made due to space availability, you will be notified about the delay and what to expect next.
Reasonable housing accommodations will be applicable for one academic year or lease period. You will need to request accommodations for each subsequent year or lease period.
We ask that you make your request for accommodations as soon as you apply for housing so we have the information we need to make the accommodations as early in the assignment process as possible.