FAMU North and South Towers Photo Courtesy: FAMU Forward

As students gear up for another academic year at Florida A&M University, the Office of University Housing says it is introducing significant changes to the on-campus housing application process to streamline procedures and ensure fair access to housing.

In an email sent to all FAMU students before Spring Break, OUH announced that the Fall 2024 online housing application portal will open on Monday. The launch of the application, OUH said in the email, coincided with the opening of class registration for the same semester.

OUH says this synchronized timing aligns housing assignments with academic schedules, emphasizing the university’s commitment to holistic student support. Students, however, are encouraged to act quickly, as OUH assigns housing on a first-come, first-served basis and limited space.

FAMU students like Jamyah Lawhorn expressed their concerns regarding the limited applications and the strain it has on prospective and current students. 

“I feel like it is already hard to get housing, but it gets worse when it’s the beginning of a new semester and more students are coming on campus,” Lawhorn said. “As students, we run into the same problem every semester. I think they’re making changes to the process to make it more selective. 

OUH also shared that room assignments would begin in early June. New university policies require returning students to be registered for fall 2024 classes before OUH assigns them to on-campus housing. 

OUH says they will skip students who have completed the application but have not registered for classes once the office begins assigning bed spaces. Once the list is processed, OUH says assignments will resume from the top, emphasizing fairness and equity in housing allocation.

One of the key factors in the application process is the nonrefundable housing advanced payment of $200. Students must first complete this payment to gain access to the online housing application and secure eligibility for bed space assignment. 

Students with an account balance of more than $500 will not be allowed to access the application, and the housing application fees will go toward their balance. 

OUH provides detailed instructions on the university’s website, supplemented by instructional videos for visual learners. 

Students are encouraged by OUH via phone or email during business hours if they have questions or need assistance.

For more information and updates regarding on-campus housing, please visit the official website of FAMU’s Office of university housing.