Follow these step-by-step Instructions to apply for housing at one of our PennWest
campuses. Please have a credit card, debit card or your bank information (for an ACH
check) available to complete the online application process.
1
Login to myPennWest
Log in to your PennWest Experience portal at my.PennWest.edu
2
Click “Housing & Dining Portal” on the Student Quick Access Card
If you do not see the Student Quick Access card, click “View All Cards” on the top
right or the menu at the top left. You can search “student quick access” to find the
card and save it to your page. If you click “Housing & Dining Portal” and see a blank
screen or an error message, please contact IT for support at techsupport@pennwest.edu.
3
Click “Contracts”
4
Select the housing application for your assigned campus
If you do not see the application for your assigned campus, please contact your campus’s
Housing Office.
5
Thoroughly read the Terms and Conditions of the contract
6
Electronically sign the agreement
7
Click “Continue”
8
Complete “My Information” to help build your housing profile
This information will be helpful for roommate matching. When asked if you want to
live in a Housing Community, make sure to keep in mind that anyone you want to match
with as a roommate much choose the same Living Learning Community or Themed Housing
option as you, in order to pick a room. If you do not wish to live in a Housing Community,
you can indicate this by selecting “I do not wish to live in a “Housing Community.”
You will need to have the same answer as your roommates to avoid issues during room
selection.
9
Provide emergency contacts, parent/guardian contact information and a missing persons
contact individual
Students under the age of 18 will be required to have their parent/guardian sign the
application. The parent/ guardian you list in your application will be sent an email
to sign the contract. This email is sent immediately after submission. If your parent/guardian
does not receive the email, please have them check their junk mail. If it is not in
their junk mail, have them reach out to your campus’s Housing Office to have the message
resent. You will not be permitted to select a room until we receive this signature.
10
Pay the $100 non-refundable Application Service Fee
11
Check your PennWest email for “Your Application Has Been Received” confirmation
12
Watch your PennWest email for roommate selection and room selection information and
dates
Both selection processes will also occur in the Housing & Dining Portal.
Students under 18 years old at the time of application must have a parent or guardian
co-sign the housing contract, as it is a legally binding agreement. The student will
enter the parent/guardian email address within the application, and the parent/guardian
will receive a link and unique code to complete the signing process.
Application/Contract
Upon completion of the housing contract, students are legally bound to its terms.
Only extenuating circumstances may warrant approval of a Contract Release Request.
Students should refrain from signing an off-campus lease until a determination has
been made. If a request is approved, the student will forfeit the Housing application
fee, and additional cancellation fees may apply.
Medical or OSD Housing Accommodations
Students requiring a housing accommodation due to medical reasons should contact the
Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) as soon as possible. Once approved, a
memo will be sent to the Residence Life and Housing staff to identify a suitable space
that meets the accommodation.
Special Circumstances
If a student has a special circumstance and would like to speak with our Residence
Life and Housing staff regarding available options, resources, or privacy considerations,
please contact the Residence Life and Housing Office.
Fall Current/Returning Student Timeline
Process
Dates
Details
Housing Application Opens
Nov 3, 2025
The 2026-2027 Housing Application for current/returning students opens at 9:00am
Roommate Matching Opens
Nov 3, 2025
Begin searching for or confirming roommates in the Housing and Dining Portal.
Room Selection Part 1: Retain With No New Suitemates
Nov 3 - Nov 12, 2025
Keep your current room. No new suitemates may be added.
Room Selection Part 2: Retain With New Suitemates
Nov 13 - Nov 21, 2025
Keep your room and fill empty spaces with new suitemates (all must have completed
applications).
Room Retention Clean-Up Period
Nov 24 - Jan 30, 2026
Update applications or roommate groups. Rooms cannot be retained during this period.
Room Selection Phase 1: Early Open Selection
Feb 9 - Apr 3, 2026
Students who did not retain choose rooms. Full roommate groups for suites/apartments
are prioritized. All students must have completed a housing application. Example:
a quad requires four students to select together.
Room Selection Phase 2: General Open Selection
Apr 6 - Jun 17, 2026
Remaining students select rooms on a rolling basis.
Free Cancellation Period
Nov 3 - Mar 27, 2026
Students who have met the 4 semester residency requirement only; may cancel their
housing contract.
Automatic Assigments
Jun 18 - Jun 24, 2026
Students without assignments are placed based on preferences and availability.
Room Changes
Jun 25 - Jul 17, 2026
Request changes as space allows.
Fall 2026 New/Incoming Student Timeline
Process
Dates
Details
Housing Application Opens
Nov 17, 2025
The 2026-2027 Housing Application for new/incoming students opens at 9:00am
Roommate Matching Opens
Nov 17, 2025
Begin searching for or confirming roommates in the Housing & Dining Portal. Only students
who have submitted a Housing application will appear in searches.
Room Selection Phase 1: Early Open Selection
May 4 - May 26, 2026
Students select rooms in full roommate groups for suites/apartments. All students
must have completed a housing application. Example: a quad requires four students
to select together.
Room Selection Phase 2: General Open Selection
May 27 - Jun 24, 2026
Remaining students select from available spaces on a rolling basis.
Automatic Assignments
Jun 26 - Jul 1, 2026
Students without assigned rooms will be placed based on preferences and availability.
Room Changes
Jul 8 - Jul 17, 2026
Students may request room changes as space allows.
Contact Residence Life and Housing
PennWest Residence Life and Housing Offices are open Monday through Friday, from 8:00
a.m. – 4:00 p.m. and can be reached via phone or email during normal business hours.
California Campus
250 University Ave. 140 Building B California, PA 15419 724-938-4444 calreslife@pennwest.edu
405 Scotland Rd. 215 Frank G. Pogue Student Center Edinboro, PA 16444 814-732-2818 bororeslife@pennwest.edu
Frequently Asked Questions
Have you fully set up your PennWest account with two-factor authentication?
Students must set up their myPennWestaccount (using their PennWest credentials) before they can access their student portal.
Did you recently change phones?
Students encountering trouble setting up their two-factor authentication on a new
device should contact their campus technology help deskfor assistance.
Have you paid your admissions deposit?
Students who have not paid their tuition deposit will not be able to access their
student portal until the deposit is paid through their campus Admissions Office. Once
the deposit has been paid, students should have access to their housing and dining
portal within 24-48 hours from the time they paid their tuition deposit. Students
unable to access their portal after 48 hours should contact their campus housing office
for assistance.
The Housing application is a legally binding contract. If you are under 18 at time
of submission, a parent/guardian must co-sign the application before it’s considered
complete.
After you submit the application, the parent/guardian email you listed will receive
a link and unique code. If they don’t receive it (check spam/junk), contact your campus
Housing Office to have it resent.
The person you are looking to have as a roommate must have completed their Housing
application and paid the Housing application fee.
If they are under 18, their parent/guardian must also have signed the Housing application.
If your preferred roommate has already selected a room, they will not show in the
roommate-matching search results. Open spaces may still exist, check your portal and
act quickly.
In your Housing & Dining Portal, go to “My Info” → “Roommate Profile”, then you may
add details (major, study habits, hobbies, etc.) to help others find you.
Use the roommate questionnaire or click “Search” in the roommate matching portal to
view other students seeking housing.
If you answer all questions, search results will only include students who matched
your exact answers, which can reduce the number of people shown.
You may skip part of the questionnaire to widen your search pool.
Only returning students living in eligible upperclassman halls (not buildings reserved
for freshmen) may retain their current space.
Yes, students must select by the final cutoff date. After this date, any student who
hasn’t made a selection will be automatically assigned by Housing. (For the 2026 cycle,
the cutoff is June 24, 2026, for returning students and July 2nd for incoming students.) Residence Life and Housing will assign any unassigned students to rooms in the
following days. After everyone has an assignment, there will be a room change period
(Returning students: June 25th – July 17th; Incoming students: July 2nd – July 17th)
During the general room selection phase, you may choose a space in a suite with other
students already in it or select a fully open suite and allow others to fill in later.
Room selection order is determined by the date/time the application is submitted.
The earlier your application is complete (signed contract + fee paid along with parent
signature completed if applicable), the better your selection slot.
Having a fully matched roommate group increases your chance of getting your preferred
space.
Singles are limited in number. If you want a single-occupancy space, apply early,
match quickly, and be prepared to choose your second or third preference if your first
is unavailable.
If your ideal suite or room style doesn’t show, it may no longer be available. Select
the next-best option available. You may still submit a Waitlist Request in your portal
for future availability, though there is no guarantee.
Mixed gender housing is permitted.
After you submit your Housing application, you’ll find the Gender Inclusive Housing
application under “Contracts & Request Forms” in the portal. A fully matched group
that fills the suite is required.
Groups must fill the entire space. If you cannot fill it, you may be converted to
a single-gender unit or moved to a different space.
Incoming student athletes may participate in a dedicated athlete housing process.
Contact your coach early to identify possible suitemates, then complete your Housing
application and roommate matching as soon as possible. Returning athletes participate
in general room selection.
Yes, transfer students are eligible for upperclassman housing. If you don’t see upperclassman
spaces during your selection time, contact your campus housing office.
