Housing
Welcome Home!
The Office of Residence Life at St. Edward’s University cultivates intentional living-learning environments that foster development of the heart and mind, preparing students to take on their world. By engaging in the residential experience at St. Edward’s University, students will develop independent living skills, build community and relationships, prioritize health and wellness, and grow personally and intellectually. Living on campus means that residents are just a few steps away from friends, classes, and the exciting opportunities that Austin has to offer, with the added benefit of enhanced safety and security on campus.
Students have a variety of living communities to choose from, each with their own distinctive personality. Visit each community's page to see the amenities available. Our room type definitions provide a helpful starting place to learn more about room types available in each community.
Sign Up for Housing
Choose the applicable term to learn how to sign up for housing:
Select your student status to sign up for 2021-2022 Academic Year Housing.
Incoming Freshmen
On-Campus Housing Application
Before you can sign up for for housing, you must be accepted to the university and submit your nonrefundable $500 enrollment deposit. Please allow 24–48 hours for processing from the time you submit your enrollment deposit. Then you may access your housing application through the pre-orientation online course, Hillstart. Be sure to look for the invitation to Hillstart in your email!
Housing is granted on a first-come, first-served basis. Academic Year housing registration opens online February 1. Spring only housing registration opens online in October. Log in to Hillstart through myHilltop to select your residence hall and room.
Watch our Freshman Housing Selection Process video for more detailed step-by-step instructions.
Freshmen Housing Exemption
All first-time freshmen are required to live on campus unless they meet the following criteria:
- Commuter – living with a parent or legal guardian who resides in the Austin area (within a 20 mile radius from the St. Edward's campus)
- Married – you must provide a valid marriage license
- Non-traditional – a student who has been out of high school for more than one calendar year
- Disabling condition – a condition that cannot be accommodated in campus housing
To submit your housing exemption, log in to Hillstart through myHilltop to begin the housing application. On the appropriate page, select the box to indicate that you are applying for a housing exemption and provide documentation that supports your request. Residence Life will contact you via email to confirm your request.
Questions? Check out our Resident Resources page for more information!
Current Students
Current students will be able to sign up for Fall housing beginning on February 24, 2021. The two-step online housing sign-up process is required for participation. Read our Online Housing Sign Up FAQs and watch our instructional videos: Current Students Housing Sign Up & Create a Roommate Group for help with this process.
STEP 1: Get your housing sign-up time. Log in to myHilltop and begin your housing application via the housing portal between 9 am on February 24 and 5 pm on March 2.
STEP 2: Select your housing. Log in to myHilltop during your assigned timeslot and make your selection via the housing portal.
If you missed Step 1: You will be able to select housing beginning on March 15, 2021.
Questions? Check out our Resident Resources page for more information!
Transfer and Exchange Students
Online housing registration opens March 15, 2021. Log in to myHilltop and select "Apply for Housing." Complete the application to select your residence and room.
Questions? Check out our Resident Resources page for more information!
The Spring housing application opens for returning students on October 1 via the housing portal, accessed through myHilltop. New students will apply for housing through Hillstart, which will be available beginning November 1. Spring housing is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Housing assignments will be assigned in December. Meal plans are assigned to the student in conjunction with their housing assignments. If you wish to change your meal plan, you may do so at the Hilltopper Card Office in Main Building G3. Housing and meal plans will be billed to the student's account within 24-48 hours after an assignment is made, payable via myHilltop.
There will be a limited amount of housing available in the Maryhill and Hilltopper Heights Apartments in Summer 2021. It is important to note that these apartments are unfurnished and electricity costs are not included in the summer session rate.
The summer housing application will be open in myHilltop from 9 AM April 7 through 5 PM April 14. Housing assignments are not guaranteed and will be made on a first come, first served basis.
To see summer housing rates, visit Housing & Meal Plan.
Housing & Meal Plan Rates
Visit the Billing and Financial Aid pages to see the current housing and meal plan rates. You will use your Hilltopper ID card to purchase food at campus dining facilities with your meal plan or Topper Tender.
Move-In/Move-Out & Other Housing Dates
Here are important housing dates to help you plan out your semester and academic year.
If you need an on-campus housing accommodation such as service animals, location requests, or assistive devices, submit a request to Student Disability Services (SDS). SDS staff reviews all requests in consultation with Residence Life.
9 Reasons to Live On Campus
Living on campus means that you're just a few steps away from friends, classes, and the exciting entertainment that Austin has to offer. Here are 9 advantages to on-campus living.