Why live on campus?

Your time in college is an opportunity to grow not just academically but also expand on your maturity and social skills. For many students, this is their first opportunity to live away from their parents or guardians. We take your academic and personal growth seriously. So, we do everything we can to make sure you have the resources to succeed both inside the classroom and out. 

Terms to Know

  • RA- Resident Assistant
  • RHA- Residence Hall Association
  • NRHH- National Residence Hall Honorary
  • HD- Hall Director
  • Single- A room set up for only one person (1 bed, 2 desks, 2 chairs, etc.)
  • Double- A room set up for two people (2 beds, 2 desks, 2 chairs, etc.)
  • Private- A double room where one person has purchased both sides of the room so no one else can live in the room with them. 
  • Contract Buyout- paying to get out of the remainder of the housing contract.
  • Prorated- Only paying for the time you were living in the room.
  • Board- Meal plan
  • Deposit- a sum of money placed up front and kept in a holding account to later be returned or placed toward charges, cancelation fees, or damages upon moving out (Paid during completion of the housing contract)
  • Deferred Deposit- an approved delayed deposit, based on the student's SAI score (-1500 to zero), that is charged to the student's account at the beginning of the incoming semester to be paid with the student's bill. 
  • SAI- Student Aid Index, found on the FAFSA award letter
  • FAFSA- Free Application for Federal Student Aid

Residency Requirement

Living on campus at SEMO is an essential part of your college experience.  Students who live on campus tend to be more involved and are more likely to return the following year. That’s why full-time Southeast students are required to live on campus for their first four semesters. Find out more about Residency Requirements and if you may be exempt. Students requesting an exemption to the on-campus policy should complete a Student Residency Release Application.

A student organizes her belongings in her new dorm room with the help of her family.

New Students

Applying for housing at SEMO is easy and can be completed entirely online once you’ve been admitted. Choose between traditional community-style housing and ever-popular suite-style housing. Rooms are available in single or double occupancy. The sooner we receive your deposit or deferred deposit approval, the higher priority you will have during the room selection process. However, if your contract and deposit/deferred approval are submitted later than April 30, your room assignment will be made for you by Residence Life staff. Visit the Room Selection Page to learn more about the process including deadlines. 

If you require special accommodations, please fill out the Special Accommodation Request Form and submit it to the Office of Residence Life.

Residents of Towers South enjoy each other’s culture with an international celebration.

International students

International Education and Services will be your primary contact for all important information regarding your admission and arrival at SEMO. You are strongly encouraged to complete the housing contract prior to your arrival to ensure an assignment can be made.  

The application process is simple and can be completed online once you have been admitted to the university. You have two options to make your housing deposit, an electronic check, or a credit/debit card. If you use a credit or debit card, you will be asked to provide a billing address. Some country codes are not accepted with this method. To complete the transaction please use 1000 Towers Circle, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701. Using this billing address does not change where you receive your credit card statement.

If you require special accommodations, please fill out the Special Accommodation Request Form and submit it to the Office of Residence Life.

Residents watch a video on a laptop in a dorm room in Towers East.

Current Students

If you’re a current student, you can complete your housing contract starting in October. The sooner you submit your housing contract, the higher priority you will have during the room selection process. However, if your contract is submitted later than April 20, your room assignment will be made for you by Residence Life staff. Visit the Room Selection Page to learn more about the process including deadlines, selection dates, and a step-by-step video on how to pick your room. 

If you require special accommodations, please fill out the Special Accommodation Request Form and submit it to the Office of Residence Life.

Housing Contract instructions

Your housing contract is completed through MySEMO

  • Log in to https://my.semo.edu
  • Search “Housing Portal”
  • Select the StarRez Housing Portal tool
  • Select the “Apply for Housing” link
  • Identify the appropriate application period and select the “Continue” button
  • Click the “Start Application” button

Fall 24/Spring 25-Academic Year Contract- Available now!

Spring 24 Only Contract- Available now! (Students arriving in January 2024 for Spring Classes)

Summer 24- Coming Soon!

Summer room rate
  • $16/night, or $1456 for the entire summer
Summer Meal Plan rates
  • 170 Block + $161 Flex*= $15.71/day
  • 119 Block  + $425 Flex*= $15.71/day
  • 72 Block + $460 Flex*= $13.30/day

*The Flex dollars are prorated based on your arrival date

  • Log in to https://my.semo.edu
  • Search “Housing Portal”
  • Select the StarRez Housing Portal
  • Click “Apply for Housing”
  • Click "Continue" to continue two part 2 of the application for 2024-2025.
  • Click "Roommate Selection"
    • There are 3 ways to search for a roommate:
      • If you know your future roommate's name, email, etc. click "Search for Roommates by Details"
      • if you don't have any particular person in mind and you want someone who answered the roommate/room condition questionnaire in a particular way, use the "Search for Roommates by Roommate Profiles" option.
      • If you want the system to suggest roommates for you based on your profile and answers, click on the "Suggest Roommates" option.
  • When you find someone you would like to room with, click "Send Roommate Request"
  • This will send the resident a message asking them if they would like to be your roommate. These messages will be visible in the housing portal.
  • Click "Save & Continue" to view your timeslot information.
    • Please note that you will not be able to select a room until it is your timeslot.

  • This process is coming soon.

Returning students who have submitted a Fall 24/Spring 25 contract by January 31 will be eligible to enter the Private Room Lottery.

  • Email sent out to students who qualify: February 12 
  • Students’ response collected:  February 12-16 
  • Notify Winners: February 19-23 
  • Private Room Selection for Winners: February 26-March 1.  

 

There will be two rounds of self-selection for Special interest Housing. The round you will take part in will be determined by the date you were approved to be part of the community. 

  • Round One: March 4-8, 2024 
  • Round Two: April 29-May 3, 2024

Students will only be allowed to select a room on the floor of the Residence Hall the community has been assigned to. Only students who are approved to be in a community can live there. This includes requested roommates. Students no longer interested in being part of the Special Interest Housing community must complete a request to be removed from the community.  This allows them to select another space on campus if their preferred roommate is not approved for the community.

The housing contract must show Contract Part 1 submitted to participate in room selection. If you are a returning student who has moved off campus and is moving back on, you must pay the $150 deposit or be approved for a deferred deposit. Student's assigned room selection date is based on their Contract part 1 submitted date.

Tier I 

  • Qualification: Returning students who have Contract Part 1 submitted by the end of the day on December 31, 2023.
  • Room Selection Date: March 19 - April 26, 2024 

Tier II 

  • Qualification: Returning students who have Contract Part 1 submitted between January 1 -February 29, 2024
  • Room Selection Date: March 26th - April 26, 2024 

Tier III 

  • Qualification: Returning students who have Contract Part 1 submitted between March 1 - April 25, 2024
  • Room Selection Date: April 3 – April 26, 2024

Tier IV

  • Qualification: Students eligible for self-selection who did not choose a room during their allotted time frame and all contracts showing Contract Part 1 submitted after April 26, 2024.
  • Residence Life Assigned Room Selections: April 27-August 17, 2024 into available spaces

The housing contract must show Contract Part 1 submitted to participate in room selection and the $150 deposit must be paid or deferred to participate in room selection. Students' assigned room selection Tier is based on the date their Contract Part 1 is submitted.

New Student Suitemate Group Selection  

  • Qualification: NewStudents who have completed an entire suitemate grouping of FOUR students by April 28
  • Suite Selection Date: April 29- May 3, 2024 

Tier I 

  • Qualification: New students who have Contract Part 1 submitted by the end of the day on December 31
  • Room Selection Date: May 14- June 7, 2024 

Tier II 

  • Qualification: New students who have Contract Part 1 submitted between January 1 - February 28, 2024
  • Room Selection Date: May 21- June 7, 2024 

Tier III 

  • Qualification: New students who have Contract Part 1 submitted between March 1 - April 30, 2024 
  • Room Selection Date: May 28- June 7, 2024

Tier IV

  • Qualification: Students eligible for self-selection who did not choose a room during their allotted time frame and all contracts showing Contract Part 1 submitted after June 7, 2024.
  • Residence Life Assigned Room Selections: June 8-Aug 17 into available spaces

  • Room change requests: Room change requests will open June 10- July 12, 2024, after the room self-selection process has closed. Waitlist and room changes will end on August 1 so the Residence Life staff can focus on ensuring all students have been placed into a room assignment. Those not receiving a requested room change will move into the assignment they are in.
  • The room change request form will reopen during the 3rd week of classes.
  • Students can email residencelife@semo.edu after the room change form closes for special circumstances.
  • Reminder: Room availability can change from hour to hour, there is no guarantee all requests will be filled.

Returning students only canceling a 24/25 housing contract before the 24/25 room selection opens will not be charged a penalty fee. Returning students canceling their 24/25 housing contract after 24/25 room selection begins but before finals week (May 12-May 18) will be charged a $150 cancellation fee. Returner cancelations for the 24/25 contract after finals week will be assessed a cancelation fee based on the reason for cancellation up to $750.

New students only canceling a 24/25 housing contract are charged based on rates listed on the Contract for University Housing if canceling before moving on to campus. 

  • Thru May 1- $25 cancellation fee- $125 Deposit refund
  • May 2 - June 15- $50 cancellation fee- $100 Deposit refund
  • June 16- August 1- $100 cancellation fee- $50 Deposit refund
  • After August 1- Forfeit Deposit

Additional cancellation costs may be assessed based on the date of cancellation and the reason for the cancellation after move-in. If you have questions regarding room selection, don't hesitate to get in touch with the Office of Residence Life at residencelife@semo.edu.

Phone
Location
Office
Towers Complex 102
Mailing Address

One University Plaza, MS 0055
Cape Girardeau, MO 63701