Students that have completed more than nine semester hours at another institution of higher education (not an Ohio University regional campus) after graduating from high school are considered “transfer students”. Transfer students must contact the Office of Admissions for consideration to enroll on OHIO’s campus. Once admitted, a transfer student should then complete a ‘Transfer Student Contract’ at Housing Self-Service.
Transfer students under the age of 23 who cannot demonstrate two full years in attendance at an institution of higher education after high school graduation must reside in Ohio University-owned housing and participate in the associated mandatory meal plan. Two full years in attendance must be demonstrated prior to the semester in which a student enrolls to be eligible to reside off campus.
Students can also request an exemption to the residency requirement if certain conditions are met, including: married, parent with child, veteran with 18 months of active duty, or an approved academic absence (medical withdraw, study abroad, approved internship). Please refer to the Housing Requirement section of this website for more information about housing requirements and the housing exemption review process. Students must be approved to live off campus by the exemption committee prior to signing an off campus lease.
Students demonstrating two full years of attendance in an accredited higher education institution after high school graduation can choose to either live in the residence halls or off campus.
If you have more questions or concerns about housing options, please contact Housing and Residence Life by calling 740.593.4090 or emailing housing@ohio.edu.
Review the information posted here and check your Ohio University email
The most important thing you can do is to review the information from Housing and Residence Life.
This page contains information designed to outline the process and answer many of the questions you might have. We also recommend that you regularly review the information that is sent to your Ohio University email account. Messages from Housing and Residence Life will come from housing@ohio.edu.
You can also receive updates to keep you on track by following Housing and Residence Life's Facebook page or our Twitter feed.
Step 1:
Click here to access the online housing and dining contract.
Step 2:
Log in using your OHIO ID and password and select Contracts and Applications from the left column. Select “Transfer Student Contract 2221 (Fall Semester 2021-22)” from the drop down list.
Step 3:
Read and agree to the contract terms and conditions. By accepting the terms and conditions you are agreeing to a contract that is binding for fall and spring semester. After accepting the terms and conditions, you will be advised that a $200 housing deposit/prepayment is required and will be given the option to pay through CashNet. If you are not prepared to pay at this time, you can complete the housing application at a later time and your information will be saved. To pay the deposit at a later time, you must log back into your housing application and navigate to the end until you reach the payment page.
Step 4:
Answer the contract questions and select a meal plan.
Step 5:
If you did not pay when completing your application, finalize your contract by submitting a $200 housing deposit/prepayment. Payments must be received by February 23, 2021 at 4:00 PM to select a room with matched roommates within the Returning Student Room Selection process. To be eligible to select a room with a matched first year roommate, payments must be received by May 1, 2021 by 4:00 PM to select a room within the First Year Room Selection process.
Payments can be made online at the end of the contract completion process or by sending a check to the following address:
Housing and Residence Life
Living Learning Center 215
111 South Green Drive
Athens, OH 45701
Please note: An online payment is recommended.
Tips to Prepare
Make Changes to the Contract
If you wish to make additions, deletions, or changes to your contract, you can do so online. To make changes to your personal preferences or to change your meal plan visit Housing Self-Service.
Deposit Refund and Contract Cancellation Process
Students who decide not to attend Ohio University may request a refund of their $200 housing deposit up until May 1. All contract cancellations and deposit refunds must be requested in writing, via your OHIO email account, by fax, or letter. The request must include your name and PID number and the request must be received by the May 1 deadline.
OPTION 1: Transfer students have the option of participating in the Returning Student Room Selection process March 22-26, 2021 if they have completed their contract and submitted the housing deposit by February 23, 2021. In this process transfer students may select as an individual or match with up to three other second year/transfer students as long as all students completed their contract and deposit by the February 23 deadline. Please update your Personal Information tab on your Housing Self-Service to opt in for the Returning Student Room Selection process. For detailed steps within this process visit the Returning Student Room Selection page.
OPTION 2: Transfer students have the option of participating in the First Year Room Selection process May 17-21, 2021 if they have completed their contract and submitted the housing deposit by May 1, 2021. In this process transfer students may only participate if they are matched with a first year student and as long as the student has completed their contract and deposit by May 1 deadline. For detailed steps within this process visit here.
OPTION 3: Transfer students who complete their contract/deposit after May 1, or who do not participate in either process, will be placed in available spaces within second year halls. Any roommate requests or assignment requests can be made by sending an email to housing@ohio.edu prior to being assigned. After an assignment is made, all room changes will be made through the Room Change Process (runs until August 1).
OPTION 4: Sign up for the Transfer Living Community through the Learning Community Office. Students in this class will be assigned to spaces on the Transfer Living Community in Bromley Hall.
The configuration summary shows quick facts about each hall, including the capacity, any special communities that are housed there, if it has a laundry room, and other interesting facts: Hall Configuration Summary [PDF]
Transfer students should contact the Ohio University Undergraduate Admissions Office and ask about the transfer process. You can also visit Ohio University transfer website for a checklist and other pertinent information.
There are many services and programs available on campus to help transfer students make their transition to the Athens campus. Residential students should direct questions or concerns to the Resident Assistant (RA) within their residence hall. RAs can assist with connecting students with campus resources and with other students.
Additionally, Housing and Residence Life has in-hall professional staff members (Resident Directors and Graduate Resident Directors) who work with all residents to establish a positive living environment and develop a strong community.
Housing and Residence Life offers a variety of room options to select from. Transfer students can request to live with another transfer student, a current Ohio University second year student, or a first year student.
Transfer students have the option of participating in the Returning Student Room Selection process March 22-26, 2021 if they have completed their contract and submitted the housing deposit by February 23, 2021. In this process transfer students may match with up to three other second year/transfer students as long as all students completed their contract and deposit by the February 23, 2021 deadline.
Transfer students have the option of participating in the First Year Room Selection process May 17-21, 2021 if they have completed their contract and submitted the housing deposit by May 1, 2021 and are matched with another first year student in the process. In this process transfer students may match with up to one other first year/transfer student as long as the student has completed their contract and deposit by the May 1 deadline.
Transfer students who do not participate in either process will be placed in upperclass halls. Any roommate requests or assignment requests can be made by sending an email to housing@ohio.edu prior to being assigned. After an assignment is made, all room changes will be made through the Room Change Process.
Students within a mutual roommate group will each have a designated date and time to select a room. The student with the earliest date/time should complete the selection. Once this student selects a room, all other matched roommates will be pulled into the room with the student.
Students will only be able to view those rooms available on campus that can accommodate their entire roommate group and rooms corresponding to their genders. Additional options can be viewed by sub-grouping during the room selection process or breaking up your matched group.
There will be a room change opportunity after the initial room selection process ends. The room change process will remain open until August 1.
This room change option is at no risk. Students will keep their current room until they find a new desired location and book the space during the room change lottery. Once in this lottery, students can change rooms as many times as desired.
Immediately after selecting a room, your Fall 2021-22 room selection will be listed on your Housing Self-Service overview and will be sent to your OHIO email account.
Students who inadvertently selected the wrong room can contact Housing and Residence Life on the same day to request their selection be canceled (along with any roommates that were pulled in). Students will be entered back into the selection process and must repeat the process of adding/confirming roommates prior to selecting another room. Requesting to be removed and added back into the selection process can take up to 48 business hours and availability of rooms will change once added back in.
Students applying to become a staff member (RA) should complete a housing application, pay the deposit, and select a room. For those students who are selected to become an RA, you will be reassigned into your staff room once you have officially been extended a position.
Students wishing to reside in a recognized fraternity/sorority will need to complete a Greek Life exemption form beginning February 1, 2021 to determine eligibility. Students must meet the following requirements to be considered for approval:
The form can be found on your Housing Self-Service after you complete the Second Year Housing Contract. All students who complete this application are removed from future room selection experiences. Once Housing and Residence Life receives notice from the Office of Sorority and Fraternity Life that you have met all criteria, you will be released from housing and dining charges. Students are usually reviewed and receive approval or denial between May 1 and August 1.
Students who submit a housing application, pay a deposit, and then decide to reside in a recognized Greek house will receive a refund of the deposit as long as the request for exemption is made by May 1 and they did not select (or get pulled into) a room during Room Selection. Exemption requests received after May 1 will not be eligible for a deposit refund.
Applications for 1st round consideration are due prior to selection if you are interested in this community after the initial deadline we recommend you select a room elsewhere during room selection while your application is reviewed. If you do not participate in a room selection and are manually assigned you will be able to remain in that space until your application is processed. If you are selected for the Expanded GIH community, we will complete a room change for you into a GIH room at that time.
If you are wanting another student as your roommate, please be sure to indicate this on your GIH application. We can pair you together later. Roommates must complete an application as well.
More information on Expanded Gender Inclusive Housing and the supplemental application can be found here.
All Resident Hall rooms have Air Conditioning.
Four person rooms (Bromley, Tanaka and Carr) typically will not remain available for selection past the first two days of the selection process.
Mod style facilities consisting of adjacent singles and doubles will be available to accommodate roommate groups with four people.
Students residing in Bromley, Tanaka and Carr are responsible for cleaning the bathrooms. Additionally, privacy locks are located on the inner side of the bathroom doors, but not located on the exterior side of the bathroom door, which allows access from one room to another through the connecting bathroom.
Yes, students can select into any room on campus with a vacancy. However, we do recommend that if you are selecting randomly into a double or suite style space, that you look for rooms that already have a student that has selected into the space.
Unfortunately, spaces cannot be held for students who have not yet been admitted to Ohio University.
Please contact Housing at housing@ohio.edu if you have a friend that is transferring in that you would like to room with.
The Campus Involvement Center Office for Off-Campus Living Office serves as a resource for students by assisting with off-campus living issues and promoting positive relationships between student residents and the Athens community. Students can visit the Off-Campus Living website to find resources, contact information, and an off-campus rental listing system.
