UNIVERSITY OF UTAH FIRST-YEAR HOUSING GUIDE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH FIRST-YEAR HOUSING GUIDE
Housing & Dining Programs (HDP) puts students in the center of it all! We create an engaging community where students live, learn, and thrive.
The earlier students complete their applications, the better âreservation times are determined by the application completion deadline.
HOUSING OPTIONS
Chapel Glen features suite-style single, double, and triple rooms. The building offers several common area spaces for studying and socializing. There are several nearby outdoor spaces perfect for soaking up some sun and relaxing. There is a fitness facility in Chapel Glen 803 accessible 24 hours a day for all community residents.
Kahlert Village is a residential community on campus, home to approximately 1,400 first-year students. The building features single, double and triple rooms. Kahlert Village is centrally located on campus, and includes a full-service dining facility, the Adobe Creative Commons, meditation room, and several community spaces.
Sage Point features suite-style single, double, and triple rooms for approximately 850 students. Sage Point features a 24-hour exercise facility for residents, plenty of outdoor green space, and excellent views of the Wasatch Mountain front.
Gateway Heights features suite-style double and triple rooms for first-year students. Its halls are single gender by building and offer several common area spaces for studying, socializing, and meeting new friends. It is adjacent to the shuttle stop and Peterson Heritage Center, which includes our upper-campus dining hall.
Lassonde Studios is home to student entrepreneurs, innovators, and creators. This building features cluster-style living options for first year students, and a 20,000-square-foot innovation space where all students can connect, test ideas, build prototypes, launch companies, and learn by doing.
Trailhead is the newest residence hall on campus. Designed for first-year and upper-division students, the first floor of the building features a gaming hub, dining and fitness facilities, with amenities that include a QDOBA, hot pot, coffee bar, and a grab-and-go shop. An indoor bouldering room, a fitness room, outdoor patio, bike parking and repair, and ski and snowboard equipment storage are included.
The Impact & Prosperity Epicenter unites changemakers to live, learn, and work to solve the worldâs great challenges. The building is located in the heart of campus with convenient access to the Student Life Center, Trax stations, buses, dining, and more! Housing options for first-year students include single and double clusters, and end-cap units.
Officers Circle is comprised of 10 individual houses with a different academic or themed focus. All houses feature large study/lounge spaces, front porches, and kitchens. The Officers Circle houses are close to the Peterson Heritage Center and the shuttle stop.
Traditional v.s. Living Learning Communities (LLC)
Traditional Housing: These communities offer a diverse community with students from various backgrounds, majors, and interests. A general campus experience without a specific academic focus.
Living Learning Community: LLCs have a shared academic or interest-based focus, with students with similar academic interests or goals living together. They have focused programming tailored to the community theme, allowing for residents to explore their interests in depth.
REMINDER: Before you apply for housing, submit the $300 enrollment deposit and complete the âFERPA Consent to Release Formâ at cis.utah.edu
tours.
Trailhead
LIVING LEARNING COMMUNITIES
Kahlert Village Honors First-Year Community
A network of first-year honors students who take one or more required Honors course(s) and participate in co-curricular activities outside of class.
College of Engineering Floor
The College of Engineering first-year floor works together through the rigors of their courses and deepens connections to engineering faculty, staff, and opportunities.
College of Science Floor
First-year science and mathematics majors find connections among their peers and additional opportunities to engage with the College of Science.
Outdoor Adventure Floor
First-year students work in partnership with the Campus Recreationâs Outdoor Adventures program to plan experiences throughout Utah and the Rocky Mountains.
High Impact Volunteer Engagement Community (HIVE)
First-year students explore opportunities through curricular and co-curricular high-impact volunteer engagement experiences to develop civic values.
Sustainability Action and Leading Together (SALT)
Connecting students to learn about careers in sustainability and engage in events and actions designed to further sustainability.
Trailhead Wild Utah
This program emphasizes the intersection of environment, recreation, tourism, natural history, and human culture, providing students with both classroom and experiential learning opportunities. Residents must enroll in a required course.
First Honors Community
This community provides an essential foundation for all first-year, on-campus students in the Honors College. Residents are grouped into smaller cohorts and take required Honors courses together.
Officers Circle Native Ascent
The Native Ascent Scholars Program awards academically focused American Indian students a housing scholarship and provides them with a continuous, supportive living-learning experience. The program is designed to foster community, academic growth, and personal development through targeted programming and peer support. To apply, students must request an application by emailing native-excellence@utah.edu.
First Security Business House
Residents who are actively participating in the First Ascent Scholars program are offered support in shared experiences that aid their knowledge and understanding of business.
O.C. Tanner Humanities House
In the Humanities House, students are part of a thriving community committed to becoming better-informed, thoughtful world citizens.
Emma Eccles Jones Fine Arts House
Fine Arts majors who seek to maximize talent and creativity make up its community members. Residents immerse themselves in a collaborative artistic community, utilizing dedicated practice spaces, attending events together, and collaborating with Fine Arts faculty & staff. If you are a Fine Arts Major, this space is open to you. The space has a baby grand piano, dance room, and plenty of space to create.
Lassonde Studios
Residents of all majors live on one of four themed floors while pursuing aspirations to be an entrepreneur, innovator, or creator.
Second Floor
Global Impact and Sustainability
Third Floor
Products, Design, and the Arts
Fourth Floor
Adventure and Gear
Fifth Floor
Games and Digital Media
More information at lassonde.utah.edu/studios
Impact and Prosperity Epicenter Health Development Community
Students will be able to join activities centered around exploring and solving complex health issues and their solutions. This community will draw on the vast health and medical expertise of the University of Utah and its global partners.
Impact Capital Community
Students in this community will explore topics such as venture capital investing in companies that create social or environmental value, outcomes-based financing, and other creative financial structures that create social value.
Interfaith Community
The Impact & Prosperity Epicenter welcomes students of all faiths, spiritual practices, world views, and philosophies from around the world to be part of the Epicenter Interfaith Community.
Global Health
Students passionate about engaging in approaches for elevating health are invited to be part of the Global Health Community. Students will be able to join activities centered around exploring and solving complex health issues and their solutions.
More information at epicenter.utah.edu
Check housing.utah.edu/llc for photos and more details about each Living Learning Community.
RATES & DATES 2026-27
New students must submit an enrollment deposit prior to applying for housing. When you complete the housing application, there is a nonrefundable, one-time application fee of $130. When you reserve a room, there is a $200 reservation fee that is applied toward first monthâs rent.
CHAPEL GLEN, GATEWAY HEIGHTS, SAGE POINT
Suite-style rooms feature two bedrooms connected by a bathroom.
2026 Spring 2027
OFFICERS CIRCLE
Community comprised of 10 houses with spaces open to first-year and upper-division students. Living Learning Communities
2026
2026
KAHLERT VILLAGE
Suite-style rooms feature two bedrooms connected by a bathroom. Cluster-style rooms feature bedrooms that share 10 private bathrooms. Living Learning Communities Fall 2026 Spring 2026
LASSONDE STUDIOS
Single and double cluster-style rooms feature bedrooms that share 8 private bathrooms. Living Learning Communities
IMPACT & PROSPERITY EPICENTER
Single and double cluster-style rooms feature bedrooms that share private bathrooms. End-cap communities feature private rooms with shared community, study, kitchen, and bathroom spaces. Living Learning Communities
2026 Spring 2026
TRAILHEAD
2026
2026
*Note: Double-private rooms are limited in number and are not available for room selection.
RATES & DATES 2026-27
2026 - 2027 ACADEMIC YEAR CONTRACT
MOVE IN / MOVE OUT
August 18-21 Fall move-in.
December 19 Fall move-out day (not returning for Spring).
January 8 Spring only move-in day.
May 8 Spring move-out day.
FIRST YEAR 26-27 (PRE-OCCUPANCY CANCELLATION FEE SCHEDULE)
Without Reservation No Charges
Within 72 hours of reserving If a student has paid the $200 room reservation fee, this fee will be refunded. No pre-occupancy cancellation fees will be assessed.
Through M ay 31
June 1 - June 30
July 1 - July 31
August 1 - first date of occupancy
$200 pre-occupancy cancellation fee. Any reservation fee paid earlier will be forfeited and counted toward the pre-occupancy cancellation fee.
$800 pre-occupancy cancellation fee. Any reservation fee paid earlier will be forfeited and counted toward the pre-occupancy cancellation fee.
$1,100 pre-occupancy cancellation fee. Any reservation fee paid earlier will be forfeited and counted toward the pre-occupancy cancellation fee.
$1,500 pre-occupancy cancellation fee. Any reservation fee paid earlier will be forfeited and counted toward the cancellation fee. HDP will reverse Fall charges for room/dining/services and charge the pre-occupancy cancellation fee.
No show cancellation fee If a student fails to occupy the room within 10-days of their contract starting, the student's contract will be cancelled and the student will be charged a pre-occupancy cancellation fee of $1,500 along with prorated rent and meal plan fees through the end of the 10-day period.
PAYMENT INFORMATION
You may view your account information online on the student homepage in CIS. This is the only location where you will be able to view and pay for your tuition, housing, and dining plan. It is your responsibility to keep the account up to date.
For more information about paying and for payment plan options, please visit the Office of the Bursarâs website at: bursar.utah.edu
PAYMENT DUE DATES
Fall 2026: September 4, 2026
Spring 2027: January 22, 2027
WHAT IS INCLUDED IN YOUR RATE?
Your Rate Includes: Bedroom furnishings (mattress, twin XL bed, desk, desk chair, dresser). Note: Lassonde pods and Epicenter end-caps do not include desk/desk chairs in room, but they do include community study workspace. Lassonde pods include a full-size bed and TV in room. Epicenter end-caps include a full-size bed and a mounted wall shelving.
Services: Internet and free laundry facilities in each buildingâs laundry room(s).
Utilities: Natural gas, electricity, water, recycling, trash and internet.
FEES
Student Engagement Fee: $66 PER YEAR
Dues support the Residence Hall Association (RHA) - a studentled organization that provides programming for residents. Dues are added to your account at the beginning of each semester. Dues are non-refundable.
LLC Programming Fee: $80 PER YEAR
Living Learning Community and Theme Community members pay an additional $80 in Programming Dues each year to support activities in these communities.
EARLY ARRIVALS
Early arrival Fall 2026 is August 14 - 17
Early arrival Spring 2027 is January 7
We offer a one-time early arrival fee of $250. This single fee will allow students to arrive at any point beginning Friday, August 14 through Monday, August 17. To be eligible for early arrival students must be participating in university sponsored activities or requirements. Contact HDP for more information. Students participating in Sorority Recruitment Move-In will receive their fee and arrival information as part of that process. There is no dining plan service during this period. Note: Not all areas are eligible for early move-in.
OPTIONAL SERVICES
Bike storage sign-up is available in Housing U at the time of room reservation. Bike storage is not guaranteed. Offers will be sent intermittently throughout the summer. Learn more about optional services here: housing.utah.edu/optional-services/
DINING PLANS
Students can utilize their dining plans at United Table in the Peterson Heritage Center, Urban Bytes in Kahlert Village, and at several transfer locations across campus. The dining week starts on Friday and ends the following Thursday. Unused taps do not carry over from week to week. Failure to use the dining plan does not cancel your financial responsibility for paying for the dining plan.
Students living in residence halls (Chapel Glen, Gateway Heights, Kahlert Village, Trailhead, and Sage Point), Lassonde singles & doubles, Epicenter singles & doubles, and Officers Circle must purchase a meal plan. Plans are optional for students in apartments, Lassonde lofts & pods, and Epicenter end-cap units. All matriculated University of Utah students have access to purchase dining plans.
SWOOP 19
$3,646 $3,496
$200 Flex Dollars per semester
or
UCARD (UNIVERSITY ID)
Your UCard (physical card or digital on your mobile device) is your dining credential. Students tap them every time they enter a dining hall, or at the checkout in transfer locations. Dining hall meals may only be eaten by the card owner.
FLEX DOLLARS
Flex Dollars are declining balance funds that can be used for meals or snacks at any Dining Services location on campus. Remaining flex balances from fall semester are loaded onto student accounts on January 25, 2027, but they are removed on Spring move-out day, 2 p.m. on May 8, 2027.
DINING HALL TO-GO MEALS
All dining plans allow you to take meals away from United Table at PHC and Urban Bytes at Kahlert Village in a designated tupperware. Tell the cashier youâd like a to-go box when you tap your card for this service.
GRUBHUB
APP
For food take out on campus, download the Grubhub app on your mobile device. Click on âCampus Diningâ in your account and search for the University of Utah. Connect your U Card in âPaymentâ settings.
MEAL TRANSFERS
Students can use their dining plans in the dining halls (dining taps) or to purchase drinks and food at markets and dining locations across campus. The utilization of a transfer tap will deduct one meal from the studentâs weekly allotment. Retail and menu items will be designated and identified in all campus dining locations for awareness of what a transfer tap can be used to purchase. As an example, this could be a sandwich, drink, and chips at one of our retail markets.
More information at housing.utah.edu/dining under âUsing Your Dining Planâ.
IMPORTANT DATES
Fall dining plans begin on August 18 and continue through the fall semester until spring meal plans begin on January 8, 2027. Spring dining plans end on May 8, 2027.
Hours and service at dining locations are limited during breaks and when classes are not in session. Urban Bytes will be open during the winter break (Dec. 19- Jan. 8). For the most updated dining hours, please check online at dineoncampus.com/utah
CHANGING YOUR DINING PLAN
FALL SEMESTER: Requests must be received by 5 p.m. on August 23, 2026.
SPRING SEMESTER: Requests must be received by 5 p.m. on January 17, 2027.
In general, dining plan changes will take effect approximately one week following the date of your request. For information about changing a dining plan during the aforementioned times, or about canceling a dining plan, visit housing.utah.edu/dining. For information about meal plan accommodations, visit housing.utah.edu/dining/forms/.
Note: If a student cancels or changes their dining plan after the semester begins, they will be charged a prorated amount. HDP reserves the right to charge individuals for a proportionate use of either flex dollars, declining balance dollars, or block meals during each semester.
Please note that when you cancel a dining plan, you agree to forfeit all unused Flex dollars and remaining meals at the time of cancellation.
APPLICATION TIMELINE
Apply early! All first-year students who apply by May 4 will receive an offer for a room no later than August 1. Reservation times and guaranteed housing offers will be based on your application completion time.
January 13
2026-27 First-Year Housing Application
Opens
Start a housing application today.
May 4
Housing Guarantee Deadline
Apply by this date for a guaranteed bed on campus. Instructions in UMail by May 8.
May 11
Housing Room Selection
First-year Housing room selection. This step goes through the summer until August 1, 2026.
August 1
Guarantee Offers
All students who applied by May 4 will receive a housing offer by this date.
March 16
Priority Deadline
All students that meet the priority deadline will receive a time slot during the priority room selection period. Instructions in Umail by April 17
April 20-May 1
Priority Room Selection
Log in during your assigned time and reserve an available room.
August 18-21
HOW TO APPLY
Complete a housing application in the Housing U portal of your CIS account by following these steps:
1. Pay enrollment fee through admissions
2. Log into University of Utah CIS with your uNID and password
2. Under the âStudentâ section, select âStudent Homepageâ
3. Click on the âStudent Housingâ
4. Select âHousing & Dining Programsâ from the left-hand menu
5. Click the âHousing Uâ portal
6. Click on the âApply for Housingâ tab and select the academic year
7. Submit your application by the May 4 deadline to be guaranteed a room offer
SCHOLARSHIPS
Every year, different entities on campus award scholarships that can be applied toward housing costs. To apply, please visit utah.academicworks.com. Once on this site, click âSign Inâ at the top right of the screen, and use your U credentials to enter.
