Eligibility:
- Must be a full-time graduate student or a married undergraduate student.
- Must not be a visiting researcher or scholar.
- Must be working towards a matriculating, degree-earning program.
Students can only apply for housing when there is an open lottery process. Due to limited availablity, we are not able to guarantee housing for all students.
Important Information About Apartments:
Housing rates posted are charged to ONE STUDENT and are not split by bedrooms.
NOTE ABOUT ROOMMATES: All apartments no matter the maximum occupancy are offered to one student, known as the leaseholder. The leaseholder has the option to add roommates to the apartment if they wish, so long as they do not surpass maximum occupancy. Maximum occupancy is the maximum, not the recommended amount. These roommates can be fellow students or family members. Housing Services does not have the ability to match roommates to an apartment, and we will only bill the leaseholder regardless of the number or type of roommates.
You are responsible for finding your own roommates if you want them. If you plan on adding non-family members as roommates, be sure you are comfortable with each other and aware of how you will be sharing the space. We recommend in a 2 bedroom apartment to have one student per bedroom for the most comfortable arrangement, especially if you decide to live with someone you do not know. Of course, it is ultimately up to you how many people you have sleep in one room. Please view the tours and floor plans to get a sense of the size.
Graduate students who need an accommodation are encouraged to contact Disability Support Services. The DSS Deadline for Graduate Students applying for Summer 2025 start is February 14, 2025. The deadline for Fall 2025 start is May 16, 2025. PLEASE NOTE - accommodation documentation must include proof of need to live on campus.
Graduate Housing Lottery:
After applying, a student is randomly assigned a number by a computer-generated program. This lottery number determines the order in which offers are sent to students. Note that demand for housing greatly exceeds what we have available. We encourage all students to apply to live on campus and to be prepared to look off campus. The lottery is NOT a guarantee, and the application process is completely randomized.
On their application, students are asked to select their preferences for housing (ie: Packer vs. Saucon Village, one bedroom vs. three bedroom). Students are encouraged to indicate a first and second preference increase their chance of being offered housing that meets their selections. Students may include requirements for their apartment - note that if we have no housing that meets these requirements, the student may not be offered any housing.
Accepting an Offer for an Apartment
All apartment offers are sent to the student’s Lehigh email account unless a different email address is used during the application process. Students have 48 hours to respond and accept an offer for housing (unless otherwise stated) or their offer will be given to the next student in the lottery. Students should read the offer details carefully and ask any clarifying questions before accepting the offer. Students who wish to decline the offer should respond in kind.
Once students submit their offer acceptance and security deposit, they will receive communication about completing Health & Wellness Center requirements and any other necessary forms. Students should be sure to check their email regularly as this process is time-sensitive.
Signing Your Lease
At least two weeks prior to move-in, students will receive an email requesting information on their move-in details and asking them to schedule a lease signing. During the lease signing students will be given an introduction to living in on-campus housing at Lehigh. After your lease signing, students will be able to obtain a parking permit if they have a vehicle. Students should come prepared to their lease signing with any questions they have - we encourage all family and roommates to attend the appointment with the leaseholder.
Lottery Timeline
There are three housing lotteries throughout the year. Below are the dates during which a student must submit their housing application to have full consideration for housing. The dates are listed below and are updated in advance of each process:
Summer Lottery 2025 (move-in dates May 5 to June 30) - Limited Openings*
March 15 through March 31: Lottery application open for summer housing.
April 1: Lottery numbers are emailed to students
April 2: Housing offers begin. Offers will continue until all spaces are filled.
There will not be a waiting list for the summer lottery.
*Please note: This lottery is not open to current residents who are living on-campus unless the leaseholder in their apartment is graduating.
*Students are required to sign a contract that ends either 12/31/2025 or 5/31/2026. Summer only contracts are not available.
Fall Lottery 2025 (move-in dates June 26 to September 5)
June 2 at 9 am: Application Opens
June 16 at 9 am: Application Closes
June 16: Lottery Numbers are emailed to students by 5 pm
June 17: Housing offers are sent to student's email
June 23: Waiting List
Winter/Spring Housing Lottery 2025 (move-in dates TBD) - Limited Openings*
November 17 at 9 AM EST through December 1 at 9 AM EST
December 1: Lottery Numbers are emailed to students
December 2-8: Housing offers are sent to student's email
December 9: Waiting List is posted