🏠 Lehigh University — Parent Guide

🏠 How housing selection works at Lehigh University

Lehigh University uses a three-tier housing system that guarantees on-campus housing for all first-year students and gives upperclassmen increasing flexibility each year.

First-Year Students (Tier 1):All incoming freshmen are guaranteed on-campus housing and are assigned to a residence before arriving on campus. Students complete a housing application indicating preferences for room type, requested roommates, and special accommodations. Assignments are made by the university — there is no self-selection lottery for first-years. Most first-year students live in the First-Year Houses or First-Year Complexes (Centennial I & II) on the southern end of campus.

Second-Year Students (Tier 2):Rising sophomores canselect their housing typebut not their specific room. They may choose from among the available upperclass suite-style halls (Brodhead, Singleton, Hitch, Maida) and apartment-style options. Selection is done through a housing portal during the spring semester of first year.

Third-, Fourth-, and Fifth-Year Students (Tier 3):Upperclassmen participate in ahousing lotteryeach spring. Students are assigned a lottery number and may select both their preferred room type from whatever inventory remains available. Popular options include Farrington Square, and Trembley Park apartments. Students may also choose off-campus housing — Lehigh does not require upperclassmen to live on campus.

Key dates(approximate — check Auxiliary Services each year):

• November–December: housing application opens for returning students
• January–February: lottery numbers assigned; Tier 2
• February–March: Tier 3 room lottery selection windows open by class year
• April–May: first-year assignments sent to incoming students

For specific deadlines, room availability, and application instructions, visit theLehigh Housing Application page.