Am I required to live on campus?
All single students under 21 years of age who have earned fewer than 27 hours of transferable credit after high school graduation are required to live in University housing.
FAQs and Important Dates
Important Dates
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August 14 – Residence Hall move-in begins at 9:00 AM
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August 15 – Meal Plans begin
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August 27 – House Calls
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September 2 – Room Change Requests open for the semester at 2:00 PM
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September 5 – Last day to lower meal plan
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October 14 – Fall 2026 Reapplication (for current residents) opens at 2:00 PM
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October 28 – Fall 2026 Housing Application (for new students) opens @ 2:00 PM
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November 17 – Room Change Requests close for the semester at 2:00 PM
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November 20 – Summer Apartment Application opens for current apartment residents
- November 22 – Residence Halls close for Thanksgiving Break @ 10:00 AM and Meal Plans end
- BS, FR, WE, WO / Break Housing Resources
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November 28 – Residence Halls open at 4:00 PM
- December 13 – Residence Halls close for Winter Break @ 10:00 AM and Meal Plans end
- BS, FR, WE, WO / Break Housing Resources
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January 10 – Residence Halls reopen at 10:00 AM and Meal Plans begin
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January 27 – Room Change Requests open for the semester at 2:00 PM
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January 30 – Last day to lower meal plans
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January 31 – Last day for Apartment reapplication
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February 18 – Apartment assignments sent to campus reapplication students
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March 9 – Room Change Requests close for Spring Break at 2:00 PM
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March 13 – Summer Housing Application opens for non-apartment residents
- March 14 – Residence Halls close for Spring Break @ 10:00 AM.
- BS, FR, WE, WO / Break Housing Resources
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March 22 – Residence Halls reopen at 8:00 AM
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March 23 – Room Change Requests re-open at 2:00 PM
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March 31 – Last day to select a Residence Hall room for Reapplication
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April 13 – Room Change Requests close for the semester at 2:00 PM
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May 5 – Summer Housing Assignments emailed
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May 8 – Meal Plans end and Dining Dollars expire
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May 9 – All Residence Halls close at 10:00 AM and Meal Plans end
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May 31 – Summer Move-In
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June 1 – Summer Meal Plans begin
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The Application and Assignment Process
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You must be admitted to the University before you are eligible to apply for housing
My Missouri State, Main Menu, Campus Life category, Housing card, Housing Application link
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A completed application consists of the following:
-Online housing application
-$100 housing deposit
-Have met the Meningitis requirements with Magers Health and Wellness
-Signed Terms and Conditions with Parent/Co-signature (if applicable)To check the status of your application:
My Missouri State, Main Menu, Campus Life category, Housing card, Housing Application link, Application Summary -
All students in the state of Missouri need to have met the meningitis requirement. Vaccination records need to be sent to Magers Health and Wellness Center and can be emailed to MagersMedicalRecords@MissouriState.edu or faxed to 888-586-1348.
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We begin making housing assignments for incoming Spring 2025 students in the middle of November 2024 and incoming Fall 2025 students starting the end of April 2025 (and then every month until August 2025).
You will be notified via email sent to your Missouri State email account. Assignment notices will be sent out each month as assignments are made.
Housing assignments are made based on application complete date, living-learning community preferences, building preferences, roommate preferences, and roommate matching questions.
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Before the Academic Year Begins:
If you wish to change your building or room assignment after we send you your assignment and roommate information, you can view other available spaces starting on May 1 @ 2pm through July 15 @ 11:59 pm via Change My Assignment:
My Missouri State, Main Menu, Campus Life category, Housing card, Housing Application link, Change My Assignment
Your search is for spaces available at that very moment. If there is nothing available, you can check back later.
During the Academic Year:
After you have moved in, students who wish to transfer to another room or residence hall may submit a room change request online at the following:
My Missouri State, Main Menu, Campus Life category, Housing card, Room Change Request link
Please note: at certain times of the year, the room change request process may be taken offline for administrative purposes. This process typically opens up around the 3rd week of each semester.
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To have a preferred roommate:
In order to access and find a desired roommate within the housing application, both parties must have fully completed housing applications on file. You can see your application status online at:
My Missouri State, Main Menu, Campus Life category, Housing card, Housing Application link, Application Summary
If you have a roommate preference listed:
Make sure that you have invited your preferred roommate through the Preferred Roommate Selection feature of the application, and that your preferred roommate has accepted the request.
We will make every attempt to assign you with your preferred roommate as space permits. However, roommate matches cannot be guaranteed.
If you do not have a roommate preference:
Are you looking for a roommate? Missouri State University has developed an algorithm of matching students with roommates, based on how you answered the roommate matching questions on your housing application. We have very few students, that we assign, who want to move.
When students are admitted they are invited to join the ZeeMee app. The social media platform offers a roommate finder chat that may be used by students looking for potential roommates.
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Before the Academic Year Begins:
After you submit your housing application, you can update your Meal Plan or Dining Dollar plan at the following:
My Missouri State, Main Menu, Campus Life category, Housing card, Housing Application link, Update Application Preferences
Be sure to click the "FINISH" button at the bottom of the page to submit any changes. Meal plans are not loaded onto your student account until a few weeks before the start of the semester.
During the Academic Year:
A meal plan can be upgraded at any time. Decreases to meal plans may only be made during the first three weeks of the semester. Residents may manage their meal plan online at:
My Missouri State, Main Menu, Campus Life category, Housing card, BearPass Card Management link
If you need assistance, you can contact our Residence Life office at 417-836-5536.
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In some cases, a student with a disability may have a service or assistance animal reside with them in the residence hall. Students with significant animal allergies should contact the Disability Resource Center and discuss housing accommodations for their allergies.
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If so, please register with the Disability Resource Center which includes providing disability/medical documentation, meeting with an Access Advisor, and working with them to complete the Housing Access accommodation request process. All accommodation requests for Residence Halls must be made through the Disability Resource Center. MSU reviews requests for reasonable accommodation at any time, however, provision of the accommodation is best served when the request is completed prior to housing assignments being released.
Before Coming to Campus
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Spring: Move-in for the Spring semester starts Saturday before classes at 8:00 a.m.
Fall: Move-in details for the Fall 2025 semester have yet to be determined.
Summer: Move-in for Summer semester starts the Sunday before classes begin at 8:00 a.m. -
Every student may have different needs, but our list of What to Bring is a good place to start.
Reception desks have some items that residents may check out, such as vacuum cleaners, kitchen utensils, games, and recreational equipment. Don’t forget to consult your roommate to coordinate colors and check for duplicates!
Be sure to have your BearPass card ready! -
Each traditional residence hall living unit contains the following items:
- 80” extra-long, twin-size bed
- Apartments have either an extra-long, twin size bed or a full size bed
- Dresser drawer space
- Closet space
- Drapes
- Desk
- Desk chair
- Microwave and refrigerator
You may bring carpet or scatter rugs for the tile floors. Rooms in Sunvilla, Monroe and the Wells House suites are carpeted. Visit the homepage of each residence hall for more information including specific information, room dimensions and virtual tours.
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No, only microwave ovens and refrigerators provided by Residence Life are allowed.
Our list of What to Bring outlines what items you can and cannot bring.
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A Meal Plan and Dining Dollar package are both required for students living in our residence halls and are optional for our students living in our apartments and off-campus. To see Meal Plan and Dining Dollar options, visit our Rates Page.
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Before the Academic Year Begins:
After you submit your housing application, you can update your Meal Plan or Dining Dollar plan at the following:
My Missouri State, Main Menu, Campus Life category, Housing card, Housing Application link, Update Application Preferences
Be sure to click the "FINISH" button at the bottom of the page to submit any changes. Meal plans are not loaded onto your student account until a few weeks before the start of the semester.
During the Academic Year:
A meal plan can be upgraded at any time. Decreases to meal plans may only be made during the first three weeks of the semester. Residents may manage their meal plan online at:
My Missouri State, Main Menu, Campus Life category, Housing card, BearPass Card Management link
If you need assistance, you can contact our Residence Life office at 417-836-5536. -
Before the Academic Year Begins:
If you wish to change your building or room assignment after we send you your assignment and roommate information, you can view other available spaces starting on May 1 @ 2pm through July 15 @ 11:59 pm via Change My Assignment:
My Missouri State, Main Menu, Campus Life category, Housing card, Housing Application link, Change My Assignment
Your search is for spaces available at that very moment. If there is nothing available, you can check back later.
During the Academic Year:
After you have moved in, students who wish to transfer to another room or residence hall may submit a room change request online at the following:
My Missouri State, Main Menu, Campus Life category, Housing card, Room Change Request link
Please note: at certain times of the year, the room change request process may be taken offline for administrative purposes. This process typically opens up around the 3rd week of each semester.
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All students are highly encouraged to purchase renter’s insurance or to verify adequate coverage on their parent’s family insurance. The University cannot be held accountable for loss, damage or theft of any student’s personal property.
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Follow this Parking Map on move-in day after unloading at your building. Please see the Parking website for all other questions about parking.
While On Campus
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Free laundry facilities are located in each residence hall. Students will need to provide their own detergent and softener.
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Hammons, Hutchens, Kentwood, Heitz, Scholars, Monroe Apartments and Sunvilla Tower will remain open during Thanksgiving, Winter and Spring breaks during the academic year
Blair-Shannon, Freddy, Wells, and Woods are closed for Thanksgiving, Winter and Spring breaks. If a student needs break housing, Residence Life offers limited on-campus housing in open buildings for a per/night fee.Building closing dates and times:
Thanksgiving Break at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 23 and will reopen at 8:00 a.m. on Sunday, December 1, 2024.
Winter Break at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 14 and will reopen at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 11, 2025.
Spring Break at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 15, 2025 and will reopen at 8:00 a.m. on Sunday, March 23, 2025.
Once these buildings are closed, students will not be permitted to return to their rooms until buildings reopen. Therefore, students should take any personal belongings with them before leaving.
Students who lived on campus for Fall will be returning to their same room for the Spring semester. They do not need to move all of their belongings from their room during winter break. -
Hammons, Hutchens, Kentwood, Heitz House, Scholars, Monroe Apartments and Sunvilla Tower will remain open during Thanksgiving, Winter and Spring breaks.
Blair-Shannon, Freudenberger, Wells and Woods close for:
Thanksgiving Break at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 23 and will reopen at 8:00 a.m. on Sunday, December 1, 2024.
Winter Break at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 14 and will reopen at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 11, 2025.
Spring Break at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 15, 2025 and will reopen at 8:00 a.m. on Sunday, March 23, 2025.
Conclusion of Contracts:
At the end of the Spring 2025 semester, all residents must be completely moved out by 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 10, 2025.
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Before the Academic Year Begins:
After you submit your housing application, you can update your Meal Plan or Dining Dollar plan at the following:
My Missouri State, Main Menu, Campus Life category, Housing card, Housing Application link, Update Application Preferences
Be sure to click the "FINISH" button at the bottom of the page to submit any changes. Meal plans are not loaded onto your student account until a few weeks before the start of the semester.
During the Academic Year:
A meal plan can be upgraded at any time. Decreases to meal plans may only be made during the first three weeks of the semester. Residents may manage their meal plan online at:
My Missouri State, Main Menu, Campus Life category, Housing card, BearPass Card Management link
If you need assistance, you can contact our Residence Life office at 417-836-5536. -
This $12/semester fee per resident is distributed through RHA for the implementation of social, educational and hall enrichment programs and activities for every resident. Please visit the Residence Hall Association page for more information.
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Campus maps, including the interactive Bear Line shuttle map, are available online and also in our MSU Mobile app.
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All our residence halls and apartments provide 24-hour staffing of the front desk (except during some extended break periods). All front desks are equipped with several items for student check-out, such as vacuums, games and recreational equipment. Residents are able to print up to 350 print outs to the front desk each semester, for free. Along with the front desk, the residence hall directors, assistant hall directors and resident assistants live in each residence hall to provide immediate emergency staffing support; there is always someone on-call. Emergency work (no heat/AC depending on time of year, suspected mold, water leaks, etc.) are also completed by custodial and maintenance staff 24 hours a day, and those concerns should be directed to the front desk.
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All our residence halls and apartments use an access card system that allows only residents to enter their building. All exterior doors require access card use 24/7 (except for special events such as move in, and where dining halls are open). All guests must enter through the front doors of the building unless accompanied by a resident using their access card.
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A lost access card should be reported to your front desk immediately. Replacement cards cost $25. If a lost card is found within 90 days, the card can be returned for a $20 refund.
Technology
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Fully equipped, 24-hour computer labs are available in all of the residence halls and apartments. These computer labs provide up-to-date hardware and software technology, including Internet access, Microsoft Office 365, and laser printing at the front desk.
Each resident in the residence halls and apartments has a dedicated Ethernet port and each residence hall and apartment provides Wi-Fi service. -
ResNet refers to the residence hall network – the computer technology, resources and support provided in the residence halls. Should a student need assistance with connecting their computer to the network or have computer related problems throughout the year, there are ResCons (ResNet Consultants) available to assist in getting the problem resolved.
Any resident with a computer-related questions should contact ResNet at 417-836-6100. -
Every residence hall is completely wireless. Most academic facilities have wireless hotspots as well. Instructions for connecting to University access points are available online.
It is suggested that a wired Ethernet connection be utilized before a Wi-Fi connection, if possible. For more information, please contact ResNet at 417-836-6100.
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Residence Life currently does not have traditional coaxial cable hookups. Instead, we utilize a TV streaming service called Streeme TV. This service can stream live or recorded TV through a web browser, iOS or Android app, or Roku and Amazon Fire TV devices. Students also have free access to Max.
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Missouri State University's Telecommunications office will provide local telephone service upon request. Students wishing to have local service may submit a request to Residence Life for installation. There will be a one-time charge of $100 and a monthly charge $25.*
*Pricing subject to price changes within the Office of Telecommunications.
Academic Advisor Guide
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Academic Advisors that would like to be better informed about the University Housing Policy, housing practices and how academic choices could impact a student's eligibility for housing may consult the Academic Advisor Guide for more information.