New or Bridge Student Requirements
- Be accepted to Clemson University
- Set up your username using your CUID number from the Admitted Student Portal. Contact CCIT for support.
- Pay Enrollment Deposit
- Allow 1-2 business days for your user credentials to populate in our system
- Allow 2-3 business days for record of your Enrollment Deposit to populate. Allow additional time if paying by check.
Do I have to live on campus and purchase a meal plan?
First-Year & Bridge Requirement
All first year and Bridge students are required to live on-campus. This policy is intended to support your college transition and help to ensure your engagement and success during your first year. Only students who live at home with their parent or guardian in one of the three counties surrounding Clemson University (Anderson, Pickens, and Oconee) are exempt from this requirement.
First-Year students are required to purchase an Unlimited meal plan for the Academic Year.
Is housing guaranteed for me?
Housing is guaranteed and required for first year and Bridge to Clemson students. On-campus housing is prioritized for new-to campus students to support their transition to campus during that critical first year. Continuing students are offered housing as available.
What if I miss the deadline?
First-Year Late Applicants
Don’t worry! Housing is guaranteed for all first-year/bridge students. While late applicants will not be able to select roommates or participate in Room Selection, all first-year/bridge students will be assigned a space.
Sign Academic Year Contract
- Select a Term – Academic Year 2026-27 will begin in August 2026.
- Pay the $150 one-time non-refundable contract fee – only assessed on first housing contract & must be paid with credit card.
- Review, sign, and print/save contract & addendum – legally binding upon acceptance.
- Consider Your Community Choices – Living-Learning Community or General Housing
What are my Academic Year housing options and rates?
Summer Start Living Learning Community Housing allows you to choose one space and roommate within the Summer Start Living Learning Community area in Calhoun Courts to stay in for both the Summer and Academic Year terms. Summer Start Living Learning Community students can only room with other Summer Start Living Learning Community students. This means you won’t be changing roommates or moving out at the end of the summer. Your roommate for Summer and Academic must be in the Summer Start Living Learning Community as well.
A Living-Learning Community (LLC) allows you to pick your community rather than a building. We offer a wide selection of LLCs focused on a variety of topics, including Major, Identity, and Involvement-centered. Check out our LLC page for a full list of available communities.
General First-Year Housing allows you to select from any available non-Living Learning Community space in a First-Year residential community.
What are my Academic Year dining options and rates?
- Unlimited Plans
- Unlimited 300
- Unlimited 200
- Unlimited 100
Summer Start Program Housing
- Summer Start Program students have the option to stay in Summer Start Living-Learning Community, which allows you to choose one space and up to four roommates within the Summer Start Living Learning Community area in Calhoun Courts for both the Summer and Academic Year terms.
- Students can choose to live in general Summer Session housing but will have to select a separate roommate and space for both the Summer and Academic Year terms.
What are the benefits of Summer Start Living-Learning Community Housing?
- Students living in Summer Start Living-Learning Community housing get to keep the same roommates and space for both the Summer and Academic Year terms. That means you won’t have to move out or change roommates at the end of the summer.
- Summer Start Living-Learning Community residents get to enjoy a single specialized move-in experience during the summer and avoid going through the process again in the Fall.
- Summer Start Living-Learning Community residents may form roommate groups of up to 4 people.
- Summer Start Living-Learning Community residents are guaranteed a space in the popular Calhoun Courts apartments for the Academic Year without competing for a space during Academic year room selection.
- Because Summer Start Living-Learning Community residents live with other Summer Start Living-Learning Community students, you will be surrounded by the same people for both the Summer and Academic Year, which will help you create a stronger community and enhance your overall Clemson experience.
Who should not choose Summer Start Living-Learning Community housing?
The only students who should not select Summer Start Living-Learning Community housing are students who are planning to live in a Living Learning Community for the Academic Year. You should note the following:
- Summer and STEM Start students not living in Summer Start Community housing must form two roommate groups with only one roommate and select spaces for both the Summer and Academic Year.
- Students who do not choose Summer Start Living-Learning Community housing will choose from the housing that is available during their room selection time slot. Remember, some buildings and space types may not be available during your time. If you choose Summer Start Living-Learning Community housing, you are guaranteed a space in Calhoun Courts apartments during both the Summer and Academic Year.
- Students who do not live in Summer Start Living-Learning Community housing will be required to move out at the end of the summer and return for the Academic year during the regularly scheduled move-in dates.
What are my Summer housing options?
Housing for Summer Start students will be in Calhoun Courts, Barnett Hall, Smith Hall, or Mauldin Hall.
Summer Start Living-Learning Community housing will be in Calhoun Courts.
Summer Start Living-Learning Community Housing allows you to choose one space and roommate within the Summer Start Living-Learning Community area in Calhoun Courts to stay in for both the Summer and Academic Year terms. Summer Start Living-Learning Community students will be roomed with other Summer Start Living-Learning Community students. This means you won’t have to deal with changing roommates or moving out at the end of the summer. Your roommate for Summer and Academic must be in the Summer Start Living-Learning Community as well. Living in Summer Start Living-Learning Community housing is not required but greatly encouraged.
Summer Session housing means you will select a separate roommate and space for both the Summer and Academic Year. All students selecting this option will be required to move out at the end of the Summer and will return during the regular move-in dates.
What are my Summer dining options and rates?
The Dish at McAlister Hall will be open for the Summer. Hours of operation and additional locations will be posted at a later date. *Summer Dining Rates are proposed pending Board of Trustee approval.
When will I move in and out?
Summer Start Living Learning Community Session Dates 2026
| Session | Term | Check-in | Check-out |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer II | July 1 – Aug. 3 | June 28 | Aug. 4 |
All Summer Start Living Learning Community residents who do not sign up for Summer Start Living Learning Community Housing will be required to move out at the end of the Summer session. Summer Start Living Learning Community residents will be able to remain in their space through the Academic Year.
New Student & Bridge Contract Open December 1 (at 8:30 AM ET) – May 15 (at 12:00 PM Noon ET)
Create Academic-Year Roommate Group
- Create your profile in the Clemson Home Portal
- Create your roommate group prior to the deadline.
- Select a roommate
What if I don’t know who I want my roommate to be?
Don’t worry! The Clemson Home Portal has a roommate matching option, so you will be able to create a profile, answer the lifestyle questions, and search for other students who may be a good fit as a roommate.
How Can I Search For a Roommate?
Whether you are trying to create a group with someone you already know or needing to use our roommate matching tools, you’ll simply need to visit the Roommate Groups section of the Clemson Home Portal and use one of the search options.
Search by details allows you to search by specific details such as name, keyword, state, Clemson username, and age.
Suggest roommates gives you a percent match based on your profile responses.
Search by Lifestyle Question allows you to filter profiles by specific responses to profile questions.
What if I want a random roommate?
All students will select their own space, so you will still want to form a roommate group prior to the deadline. If you do not create a roommate group, your Room Selection time slot will be after all students in roommate groups have selected. The Roommate Matching process in the Portal will provide suggestions for potential roommates and you can connect directly from there.
How will I get my Summer Roommate?
If you select to live in Community Housing, your Academic Year roommate will be your Summer roommate as well. Remember, this means your Academic Year roommate will need to be in the program and will need to select Community Housing as well.
If you do not select to live in Community Housing over the summer, you will form both a Summer and Academic Year roommate group and select spaces for each.
New Student & Bridge Roommate Groups Open March 9 (at 8:30 AM ET) – May 15 (at 12:00 PM Noon ET)
Select Your Academic Year Space
You will receive an email when your timeslot is available to view in the Clemson Home Portal. During this time slot you will select a space for you and your roommate(s) (if applicable).
- May 18 – Time slot notification for Summer Start Living Learning Community Room Selection
- May 20 – Time slot notifications sent in early evening to First-Year student Clemson email accounts
- May 19 – Summer Start Room Selection
- May 22 – Room Selection for First-Year Living-Learning Communities – Living Learning Community students who do not select will be assigned a space in their Living Learning Community
- May 27-28 – Room Selection for First-Year students who did not select a community on the Community Choice page
- All students will need to log in to the Portal to select their own move-in appointments after being assigned to a space.
How will I know when I can select my housing?
First-Year Time Slots
You will receive an email and can go into your Clemson Home Portal to view your time slot. You will need to compare your time slot with the other members of your roommate group. The roommate with the earliest time will need to select for the whole group.
How do time slots work?
First-Year Priority
Priority is based on your roommate status (students in roommate groups will select first), University application date, and your community choice. Students who select a Living-Learning Community in the Community Choice section will only be able to choose spaces designated for their Living Learning Community. These students will receive time slots on Living Learning Community days, based on their application date.