The South Campus Commons (Commons) and The Courtyards (Courtyards) Apartment Selection Process for the 2027–2028 lease term begins on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at 12 p.m. with the launch of the leasing application in the Housing Portal.
To participate in the apartment selection process, students must submit their leasing application by Thursday, January 21, 2027, at 12 p.m. The leasing application will remain open after the participation deadline, however, students who submit an application after the deadline may not be able to participate in the apartment selection process.
Eligibility and Priority
Eligibility Requirements
To participate in the apartment selection process and sign a lease at South Campus Commons and The Courtyards, a student must be a registered, full-time undergraduate student at the University and be in good academic and student conduct standing.
Apartment Selection Priority Order
After a student’s eligibility is determined, apartment selection priority process is based on the number of semesters the student has been enrolled in college or university since graduating from high school and their current residency. Higher selection priority is given to rising juniors, seniors, or fifth-year seniors living in the residence halls over rising sophomores, off-campus students, and students living in fraternity and sorority housing.
The chart below outlines the apartment selection priority order.
| Priority Order | Student Population | Semesters Enrolled in College or University |
|---|---|---|
| First Priority Group | Residence Hall Rising Junior | 3–4 |
| Second Priority Group | Residence Hall Rising Senior / Fifth-Year Senior | 5 or more |
| Third Priority Group | Residence Hall Rising Sophomore | 1–2 |
| Fourth Priority Group | Off-Campus Students / Students living in Fraternity and Sorority Housing | Any number |
| Fifth Priority Group | Students who miss the apartment selection participation deadline | Any number |
Commons/Courtyards Leasing Application
Students interested in living in South Campus Commons (Commons) or The Courtyards (Courtyards) only need to submit one leasing application to be considered for either community.
Submitting a leasing application is required to be considered for a lease in either community. The application is non-binding and does not require proof of income or credit check.
Submitting an application does not guarantee an apartment lease offer in South Campus Commons or The Courtyards. However, it is the first required step in the apartment selection process.
Participating in Residence Hall Room Selection
Students interested in participating in both the residence hall Room Selection process and the Commons/Courtyards apartment selection process may submit a Housing and Dining Agreement for the residence halls and a leasing application for South Campus Commons and The Courtyards. Submitting both forms will not affect your ability to participate in either selection process.
However, once you sign a lease at South Campus Commons or The Courtyards, you become responsible for the terms and conditions of the lease and will no longer be able to participate in the residence hall Room Selection process.
Apartment Selection Process Overview
Step 1: Submit Your Leasing Application
Complete South Campus Commons/ The Courtyards leasing application by apartment selection participation deadline.
Students interested in housing accommodations, gender inclusive leasing, and the student pull-in process should refer to the “Other Housing Consideration" section for more information on these processes.
Step 2: Review Your Eligibility and Selection Priority
Students who submit their leasing application by the apartment selection participation deadline will receive notification of their eligibility, apartment selection priority group, and apartment selection appointment time.
Step 3: Find a Roommate and Form Your Group
Students can connect with potential roommates and form their apartment selection group. Students will be invited to attend a roommate mixer and webinar about forming an apartment selection group.
Step 4: Select Your Apartment
Students, or the designated Group Leader, will participate in Commons/Courtyards Apartment Selection Day and select an available apartment in either community.
Key Dates
Apartment Selection Process Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026 at 12 p.m. | Commons/Courtyards Leasing Application, Student Pull-In Form, and Gender Inclusive Leasing Application open in Housing Portal |
| Thursday, Jan. 21, 2027 at 12 p.m. | Deadline to submit the Commons/Courtyards Leasing Application to participate in apartment selection |
| Thursday, Jan. 21, 2027 at 12 p.m. | Deadline to submit the Commons/Courtyards Student Pull-In Form and Gender Inclusive Leasing Application |
| Thursday, Jan. 21, 2027 at 12 p.m. | Deadline to submit the Commons/Courtyards Housing Accommodations Form |
| Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2027 | Students receive notification on the status of their Student Pull-In Form submission |
| Thursday, Jan. 28, 2027 | Students receive notification on the status of their Gender Inclusive Leasing Application |
| Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2027 | Students receive notification of their eligibility to participate in the apartment selection process |
| Monday, Feb. 8, 2027 | South Campus Commons / The Courtyards apartment selection priority group designation and appointment time will be available in the Housing Portal |
| Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2027 12 p.m. | South Campus Commons/ The Courtyards Group Formation Webinar |
| Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2027 at 4:30 p.m. | South Campus Commons/The Courtyards Roommate Mixer |
| Monday, Feb. 15, 2027 at 12 p.m. | South Campus Commons/ The Courtyards Apartment Selection Webinar |
| Wednesday, Feb. 17 and Thursday, Feb. 18, 2027 | South Campus Commons/The Courtyards Apartment Selection Days |
| Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2027 at 12 p.m. | Deadline for students to sign their 2027–2028 Commons/Courtyards Apartment Lease |
Gender Inclusive Leasing Events
Students interested in the Gender Inclusive Leasing Program are encouraged to attend an information session to learn about the leasing process and a roommate mixer to connect with other students interested in the program.
Information Sessions
| Date | Start Time | End Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday, October 20 | 3 p.m. | 4 p.m. | Marie Mount 2411C |
| Wednesday, November 18 | 12 p.m. | 1 p.m. | Zoom registration link (11/18) |
Roommate Mixer
| Date | Start Time | End Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday, December 8 | 5 p.m. | 7 p.m. | Charles Carroll, Adele H. Stamp Student Union |
Information Sessions
Students interested in living in South Campus Commons and The Courtyards are encouraged to attend an information session to learn about each community’s apartment options and amenities, the apartment selection timeline and priority structure, and available housing resources and support services to help navigate the apartment selection and leasing process.
| Date | Start Time | End Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday, October 6 | 12 p.m. | 1 p.m. | Zoom registration link (10/6) |
| Wednesday, October 21 | 5:30 p.m. | 6:30 p.m. | Edward St. John 1202 Zoom registration link 10/21 |
| Monday, October 26 | 7 p.m. | 8 p.m | Oakland Hall Multipurpose Room |
| Thursday, November 5 | 6 p.m. | 7 p.m. | Prince Frederick 1105 |
| Wednesday, November 11 | 6 p.m. | 7 p.m. | Zoom registration link (11/11) |
| Tuesday, December 1 | 5:30 p.m. | 6:30 p.m. | Edward St. John 1202 Zoom registration link 12/1 |
| Monday, December 7 | 7 p.m. | 8 p.m. | Leonardtown Community Center |
| Friday, December 11 | 12 p.m. | 1 p.m. | Zoom registration link (12/11 early afternoon) |
| Friday, December 11 | 4 p.m. | 5 p.m. | Zoom registration link (12/11 mid afternoon) |
Community Tours
South Campus Commons and The Courtyards Housing Office invite students and their families to visit and tour their communities. During the tour, attendees will have the opportunity to tour a furnished bedroom and apartment, explore community amenities, and speak with current students and staff about the community.
Advance registration is not required. Tours are offered on a rolling basis and last approximately 15 minutes.
Tour Check-In Locations
Please check in at the following locations for your community tour:
- South Campus Commons: South Campus Commons Building 5 (6903 Preinkert Dr, College Park, MD 20740)
- The Courtyards: The Courtyards Clubhouse (8000 Boteler Lane, College Park, MD 20742)
Tour Schedule
| Date | Start Time | End Time |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, September 25 | 2:30 p.m. | 4:30 p.m. |
| Saturday, October 24 | 11 a.m. | 2 p.m. |
| Sunday, November 22 | 11 a.m. | 2 p.m. |
| Wednesday, December 9 | 4 p.m. | 7 p.m. |
Other Housing Considerations
Students requesting housing accommodations for the first time at South Campus Commons or The Courtyards for the upcoming lease term should complete the Commons/Courtyards Housing Accommodations Form and submit it to the Commons/Courtyards Housing Office by the submission deadline. The form is available at the link below.
Students must also submit the upcoming lease term Commons/Courtyards leasing application by the deadline to participate in apartment selection.
The Commons/Courtyards Housing Office will communicate directly with each student regarding the status of their request. Submitting your request by the deadline helps ensure that approved accommodations can be arranged before apartment selection begins.
Requests submitted after the deadline are not guaranteed to be reviewed in time for apartment selection. However, the Commons/Courtyards Housing Office will continue to assist students through the assignment process as availability and apartment inventory permit.
Please note that the housing accommodations process described above is specific to South Campus Commons and The Courtyards. You must complete the designated form for South Campus Commons and The Courtyards for your accommodations to be considered.
If you have any questions about the housing accommodations process, please contact Olivia Murphy at omurphy@cocm.com.
Students who want to live in South Campus Commons or The Courtyards with other students, regardless of sex, gender, or gender identity, are encouraged to apply for the Commons/Courtyards Gender Inclusive Leasing program. This program allows students to create a shared living arrangement that aligns with their personal preferences and comfort levels.
Group Member Eligibility
To be eligible the this leasing program, a student must:
- Meet the general eligibility requirements to sign a lease at South Campus Commons or The Courtyards,
- Be a rising junior, senior, or fifth-year senior living in the residence halls, or be a current resident of South Campus Commons or The Courtyards
Application Process
To be considered for the Commons/Courtyards Gender Inclusive Leasing program, each student must complete the following:
- Submit a Commons/Courtyards Leasing Application by the deadline to participate in apartment selection.
- Form a group of two or four students.
- Current Commons/Courtyards residents: If a group member is a current resident of South Campus Commons or The Courtyards, they must also complete their lease renewal intent form and select “Special Leasing Meeting” as their lease intention by the lease renewal submission deadline.
- Designate a group leader. The group leader is responsible for submitting the Gender Inclusive Leasing Application and ensuring all group members accept their group membership invitations by the application deadline.
Please note: Submitting a Gender Inclusive Leasing Application does not guarantee approval or placement in this leasing program. Availability depends on the number of applications received, the number of current gender inclusive residents renewing their leases, and the number of apartments designated for this leasing program.
After the application process concludes, Resident Life will contact applicants with information about their application status. Please refer to the Commons/Courtyards Apartment Selection timeline for additional information.
For questions or additional information about the Gender Inclusive Leasing, please contact Resident Life’s University Housing Partnerships Office at pppleasing@umd.edu.
Prospective students and current residents of South Campus Commons or The Courtyards may participate in the Student Pull-In Process if they want to live with a current Commons / Courtyards resident who is returning to the same apartment and bedroom for the upcoming lease term and expects to have a vacancy.
In this process:
- Puller: A current resident who is returning to the same apartment and bedroom and is requesting to pull in another student to fill a vacancy.
- Pullee: The student being requested as a pull-in.
The Student Pull-In Process consists of two required steps. Both the Pullee and Puller must complete their required steps by the established deadlines before Resident Life can review the request.
Pullee Eligibility
To be eligible as a Pullee, a student must:
- Meet the general eligibility requirements to sign a lease at South Campus Commons or The Courtyards,
- Be the same gender as the Puller, and
- Be a rising junior, senior, or fifth-year senior living in the residence halls, or be a current resident of South Campus Commons or The Courtyards
Pullee Request Process
The Pullee must complete the following steps:
- Submit a Commons/Courtyards Leasing Application by the deadline to participate in apartment selection.
- Complete the Commons/Courtyards Student Pull-In Form by the application deadline and provide the Puller’s information in the required format. The information provided by the Pullee must match the information provided by the Puller on their Commons/Courtyards Lease Renewal Intent Form.
- Current Commons/Courtyards residents: If a Pullee is a current resident of South Campus Commons or The Courtyards, they must also complete their lease renewal intent form and select “Transfer” as their lease intention by the lease renewal submission deadline.
Puller Request Process
The Puller must complete the following steps:
- Submit a Commons/Courtyards Lease Renewal Intent Form by the lease renewal submission deadline.
- Select “Renew for Same Bedroom” as their leasing intention.
- Complete the “Student Pull-In” section of the form and provide the Pullee’s information in the required format. If the Puller intends to request multiple Pullees, they must list each Pullee in the “Student Pull-In” section of the form.
Please note: Submitting the required forms does not guarantee approval of the Student Pull-in process. Requests will be reviewed after the applicable deadlines for prospective students and current residents of South Campus Commons and The Courtyards residents have passed.
After the Student Pull-in process concludes, Resident Life will contact applicants with information about their application status. Please refer to the Commons/Courtyards Apartment Selection timeline for additional information.
For questions or additional information about the Student Pull-in Process, please contact Resident Life’s University Housing Partnerships Office at pppleasing@umd.edu.