Timelines for Room Selection & Retention

The housing application for the 2026–2027 academic year is now live! If you're an incoming freshman, you can log into Cards Nest to apply for housing. Applying early gives you the best chance at getting your top-choice hall and room type.

First-year students may log in, submit the GDPR/FERPA consent form, complete the application and fee, and create a roommate group.

First-year students may apply to join an LLC or TC for the upcoming academic year. If a student is accepted into an LLC or TC, they will be assigned into their LLC or TC by the Housing Assignments team.

If you're an incoming freshman, complete your housing application by April 1 at 11:59 p.m. to qualify for the first round of room selection and priority roommate group timeslots.

Students in full roommate groups (all invitations accepted by the deadline) will receive earlier timeslots to help more groups live together on campus. 

If you’ve been accepted into an LLC or TC, you can now log into Cards Nest to change your room or swap with another student—but only within your assigned community. 

If you no longer want to live in an LLC/TC, email housing@louisville.edu. You’ll be moved to a temporary space and can join general room changes starting June 1.

If you’re an incoming freshman who applied by the priority deadline and aren’t in an LLC/TC, you’ll receive an email today with your assigned date and time to log into Cards Nest and choose your room.

Room selection times are based on when you submitted your application. Check your UofL email and be ready to log in at your scheduled time.

This is the last day to apply for a Living-Learning (LLC) or Themed Community (TC). 

If you're interested, make sure to submit your application in Cards Nest before the deadline. No late applications will be accepted.

This is the final day for first-year students to be placed in an LLC or TC. 

If you haven’t received your assignment, check your UofL email or contact housing@louisville.edu for more information.

If you're an incoming freshman who applied by the priority deadline and you're not in an LLC or TC, you can now log into Cards Nest at your assigned time to select your room. 

Your selection time was sent to your UofL email on May 6. Make sure to log in during your assigned time for the best choice of spaces.

This is the last chance for incoming freshmen who applied by the priority deadline to select their room during the early access period. 

If you didn’t select a space by this time, don’t worry—you’ll be able to choose from remaining options during general room selection later this summer.

If you're an incoming freshman who applied after the priority deadline, you can now log into Cards Nest to choose your room. 

No timeslots are assigned—it's open access, so the sooner you log in, the more options you'll have. Selection will remain open until later in the summer.

10

a.m.

EST

If you’re an incoming freshman who hasn’t selected a room yet, you can now log into Cards Nest and choose from available spaces. There are no assigned times; selection is first-come, first-served.

If you've already selected a room and want to switch to a different available space—or trade rooms with another student—you can now log into Cards Nest to request a room change or initiate a swap. All changes depend on space availability.

This is the final day for incoming freshmen to select a room in Cards Nest. If you haven’t selected a space by this deadline, Housing will assign you to a space based on availability later in the summer.

This is also the last day for incoming freshmen to request a room change or complete a room swap in Cards Nest. After this deadline, your room assignment is final unless an exception is approved by Housing.

Returning Residents: The housing application for the 2025–2026 academic year is now live! If you're a returning student, log into Cards Nest to apply. Applying early gives you the best chance at keeping your current space or getting your preferred building and room type.

Upper-level students interested in a Living-Learning (LLC) or Themed Community (TC) can now apply. These specialized communities offer shared experiences, events, and support around a common theme or major. You must apply and be accepted to live in one. 

If you're a returning student and want to stay in your current room next year, this is the last day to request it. You must have your housing application completed and select the “Room Retention” option in Cards Nest by this deadline. 

Room retention is not guaranteed—assignments depend on space availability. If your request is denied, you'll still be able to choose a different room during general selection. You'll get an email by the end of the retention period with your final status.

If you’re a returning student who is not retaining your current room, this is your deadline to submit your housing application in order to be part of the first round of room selection. 

Submitting after this deadline means you'll still get housing, but you'll select your space after those who met the priority deadline.

If you're an upper-level or transfer student who hasn't selected a room yet, this is your chance.

 Room selection is now open to all remaining applicants—no timeslots required. Log into Cards Nest anytime to pick from available spaces. Selection will remain open until later in the summer.

This is the final day to cancel your placement in a Living-Learning (LLC) or Themed Community (TC). If you no longer wish to participate, email housing@louisville.edu before the deadline. After this date, you'll be expected to remain in your assigned community.

This is also the last day for upper-level students in an LLC or TC to change or swap rooms within their assigned community. After this deadline, no additional changes will be allowed.

This is the final day for upper-level and transfer students to select a room in Cards Nest. If you don’t choose a space by this deadline, Housing will assign you to a space based on availability later in the summer. After this deadline, no additional changes can be made before move-in.

This is also the last day for upper-level and transfer students to request a room change or complete a room swap in Cards Nest. After this deadline, no additional changes can be made before move-in.