Timelines for Room Selection & Retention

Fall 2026-Spring 2027 Important Dates

Please note that all dates are tentative at this time and may be subject to change.

First-Year Freshmen

DateTimeEventWhat This Means
11/3/202510 a.m. ESTHousing Application and LLC/TC Application Launch

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.

1/5/20263 p.m. ESTLLC/TC FYF Assignments BeginFirst-year students who applied and were accepted into an LLC or TC will begin receiving their room assignments. These are manually assigned by the Housing team based on your application, preferences, and space availability. Watch your UofL email for updates.
4/1/202611:59 p.m. ESTPriority Deadline for FYF Room Selection

If you're an incoming freshman, you must complete your housing application by this deadline to be eligible for the first round of room selection. Applying after this date means you'll still get housing, but you'll choose after those who met the priority deadline—and may have fewer options.

Applications completed after this deadline will have to wait until non-priority room selection which opens on May 28th - May 30th.

4/7/20269 a.m. ESTLLC/TC Room Changes & Swaps Open for First-Year Students

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.

5/6/20266 p.m. ESTRoom Selection Times Emailed for Priority First-Year Students

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.

5/8/20269 a.m. ESTLLC/TC Application closes for every LLC/TC

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.

5/12/20269 a.m. ESTLLC/TC Assignments End for First-Year Students

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.

5/18/202610 a.m. ESTRoom Selection Opens for Priority First-Year General Population

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.

5/22/20269 a.m. ESTLLC/TC Cancellation DeadlineThis 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.
5/22/20269 a.m. ESTLLC/TC FYF Room Swap and Room Changes EndThis is the final day for first-year students in an LLC or TC to make a room change or swap within their community in Cards Nest. After this deadline, no additional changes will be allowed.
5/22/20263 p.m. ESTPriority Room Selection Closes for First-Year Students

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.

5/26/20269:00 AMRoom Selection Times Emailed for Non-Priority First-Year StudentsIf you're a first-year freshman student who applied after the priority deadline, you’ll receive an email with your date and time to log into Cards Nest and select your room. Assignments are still made in application order, so check your UofL email and be ready to log in on time.
5/28/20263 p.m. ESTGeneral Room Selection Opens for Non-Priority First-Year Students

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.

5/30/20263 p.m. ESTGeneral Room Selection Closes for Non-Priority First-Year StudentsThis is the last chance for incoming freshmen who applied after the priority deadline to select a room during this round. If you don’t choose a space by this time, you’ll need to wait until general population room selection reopens later in the summer.
6/1/2026

10

a.m.

EST

General Room Selection and Room Changes and Room Swaps Opens for First-Year Students

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.

6/1/20263 p.m. ESTRoom Changes Open for Students Who Declined LLC/TCIf you're a first-year student who canceled your LLC or TC placement after being assigned, you can now log into Cards Nest to select a new room from available options. You’ll be choosing from general housing spaces and must have already received confirmation of your removal from the LLC/TC.
6/26/20269 a.m. ESTRoom Selection and Room Swaps and Room Changes Closes for First-Year Students

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.

6/29/20269 a.m. ESTManual Assignments BeginsIf you haven’t selected a room, Housing will now begin assigning you to a space based on availability. Assignments are made in the order applications were received. Check your UofL email regularly for updates.

Returning & Transfer Students

Upper-level students are defined as sophomores or above for the Fall 2024 semester. 

DateTimeEventWhat This Means
11/3/202510 a.m. ESTHousing Application and LLC/TC Application Launch

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. 

1/5/202610 a.m. ESTLLC/TC Upper Level Assignments BeginUpper-level students who applied and were accepted into an LLC or TC will begin receiving their room assignments. These are assigned manually by the Housing team and based on your application, preferences, and availability. Keep an eye on your UofL email for details.
1/16/20263 p.m. ESTPriority Deadline for Room Retention

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.

1/18/20266 p.m. ESTRoom Retention Decisions EmailedRetention decisions will be sent via email to students who submitted a room retention request. This email will confirm whether your request to keep your current room has been approved or denied. If approved, you’ll receive further instructions in the upcoming “Room Retention Selection Times” email. If denied, you will still have the opportunity to participate in general room selection.
1/19/20266 p.m. ESTRoom Retention Selection Times EmailedStudents who submitted a room retention request will receive an email letting them know whether their request was approved or denied. If approved, the email will include your specific date and time to log into Cards Nest and confirm your room. If denied, the email will include next steps for choosing a different space during general room selection.
1/21/202610 a.m. ESTRoom Retention Selection OpensIf you were approved to retain your current room, you can now log into Cards Nest at your assigned time to officially select your space. You must log in during your designated time slot to secure your room—after that window, your spot may no longer be available.
1/23/20261 p.m. ESTRoom Retention Selection ClosesThis is the final opportunity for approved students to retain their current room. If you haven’t completed your room selection in Cards Nest by this time, you’ll need to participate in general room selection instead. Your previously requested space is no longer guaranteed.
2/2/202610 a.m. ESTPriority Deadline for General Selection

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.

2/23/202610 a.m. ESTPriority General Room Selection Opens for ReturnersIf you met the priority deadline and didn’t retain your current room, you can now log into Cards Nest at your assigned time to select a new room for 2026–2027. Selection times are staggered and based on when you applied—check your UofL email for your assigned time.
2/26/20263 p.m. ESTPriority General Room Selection Closes for ReturnersThis is the final day for returning students who met the priority deadline to select a room. If you don’t choose a space by this time, you’ll need to participate in the general selection process later in the spring based on availability. Your priority status will no longer apply.
2/27/20269 a.m. ESTUpper-Level LLC/TC Application DeadlineThis is the final day for returning students to apply for a Living-Learning (LLC) or Themed Community (TC). These specialized communities offer shared experiences, events, and support around a common theme or major. If you don’t submit your application by this deadline, you won’t be eligible for placement in an LLC or TC for 2026–2027.
3/2/20256:00 PMRoom Selection Times Emailed for Non-Priority Upper-Level StudentsIf you're a returning student who applied after the priority deadline, you’ll receive an email with your date and time to log into Cards Nest and select your room. Assignments are still made in application order, so check your UofL email and be ready to log in on time.
3/4/20263 p.m. ESTLLC/TC Assignments Close for Upper-Level StudentsThis is the final day for upper-level students to receive room assignments for Living-Learning or Themed Communities. If you haven’t been placed in your LLC or TC by now, reach out to housing@louisville.edu with questions about your status or next steps.
3/8/20263 p.m. ESTLLC/TC Upper Level Room Changes and Room Swaps BeginUpper-level students who were approved for an LLC or TC can now log into Cards Nest to change their room—but only within their assigned community. If you no longer want to live in an LLC/TC, email housing@louisville.edu to cancel your placement. You'll be temporarily reassigned to another space and will be eligible to participate in room changes and swaps starting June 1.
3/9/20269 a.m. ESTGeneral Room Selection Opens for Non-Priority Upper-Level StudentsIf you're a returning student who applied after the priority deadline, you can now log into Cards Nest and choose your room—at your assigned time. You are responsible for selecting your space during your designated time slot. Room selection is first-come, first-served based on what's available.
3/10/20263 p.m. ESTRoom Changes & Swaps Open for Upper-Level and Transfer StudentsUpper-level and transfer students can now log into Cards Nest to request a room change or initiate a room swap. You can either move to a different available space (room change) or trade spaces with another student (room swap). These options are only available if space allows.
3/15/20269 a.m. ESTUpper Level and Upper Level Transfer Room Selection Begins

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.

5/22/20269 a.m. ESTLLC/TC Cancellation Deadline and LLC/TC Room Changes and Room Swaps Close for Upper-Level Students

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.

6/1/20263 p.m. ESTRoom changes for LLC students who declined an LLC after their assignment beginsUpper-level and transfer students who declined their LLC/TC placement after being assigned can now log into Cards Nest to choose a new space from available general housing options. You must have officially canceled your LLC/TC by the deadline via housing@louisville.edu before participating.
6/26/20269 a.m. ESTRoom Selection and Room Swaps and Changes Closes for Upper-Level and Transfer Students

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.

6/29/20269 a.m. ESTManual Room Assignments BeginIf you didn’t select a room, Housing will begin assigning you to an available space. Assignments are based on application date and current availability. Watch your UofL email for your assignment details.