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 Advisor
- RHA- Resident 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 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)
- Deffered Deposit- a delayed deposit based on the student's EFC score
- EFC- Expected Family Contrabution, found on the Student award letter sent from FAFSA
- FAFSA- Free Application for Federal Student Aid
Residency Requirement
Living on campus at SEMO is an essential part of your college experience. Students that 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.
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 recieve your deposit or deferred deposit aproval, 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, selection dates, and a step-by-step video on how to pick your room.
If you require special accommodations, please fill out the Special Accomodation Reqest Form and submit it to the Office of Residence Life.
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. For the purpose of completing 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 Accomodation Reqest Form and submit it to the Office of Residence Life.
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 Accomodation Reqest Form and submit it to the Office of Residence Life.
Housing Contract instructions
Your housing contract is completed through the MySoutheast portal and you'll be walked through each step of the way once you reach the Residence Life Housing Portal.
- Log in to MySoutheast.
- Search Housing Portal
- Select the “Residence Life Housing Portal” link.
- Click on the appropriate “Housing Contract.”
- Follow the steps provided with in the contract to complete the contract and pay the deposit.
More Housing Information
Summer housing is available for students who need to remain on campus during the summer session. Because of the relatively small number of students that choose to remain on campus over the summer and due to space needed for summer camps and conferences, summer school housing is limited to one building. Based on availability, residents can choose between a single or double room within Towers East.
Apply for Summer School Housing
Students living on campus during the summer must complete the Summer Contract for University Housing on the Residence Life Housing Portal on MySoutheast. This contract will be made available March of 2024. Be sure to include the session(s) date(s) you will need housing and what meal plan you would like. Summer housing assignments are typically made in early April and as needed after that.
Housing and Meal Plan Rates
Housing: Summer 24 Rates Coming Soon!
Meal plans: Summer 24 Rates Coming Soon!
Frequently Asked Questions
Do the same rules apply during the summer as the academic year?
Yes, as noted on the Contract for Summer Housing, the same policies and rules for the academic year apply during the summer. You can read more about the rules and policies of the residence halls by reading the Resident Handbook.
Are there desk, custodial, and maintenance services during the summer?
Yes. Many of the same services during the academic year are also provided during the summer. The Towers Desk does not operate as a 24-hour desk; however, regular mail and desk services are provided. Custodial and maintenance services are unchanged during the summer term.
Can I change rooms?
Yes, but only within the summer housing residence hall. You should contact the Summer Hall Director to discuss a room change. To discuss room changes, contact Residence Life to be put in contact with the Summer Hall Director.
Are there meals during the summer?
Yes, students will be abler to choose a meal plan during the summer. Dining service, provided by SEMO Dining, will be in the Tower's Landing venue.
One University Plaza, MS 0055
Cape Girardeau, MO 63701