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.

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.

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.

Returning students who have submitted a Fall 25/Spring 26 contract by January 31 will be eligible to enter the Private Room Lottery. Southeast Missouri has a limited number of rooms that can be purchased as Privates* (Double rooms- Purchased by one person). We hold a lottery to see who will have the opportunity to make this purchase. The cost of a private is the cost of the room + 1/2 the cost of the other bed in the room. (example: LaFerla room is $4000 + $2000= $6000 total cost for the semester) This process will be run in February of 2025. 

*Winners of the Private room Lottery are expected to pay the cost of the room. Winning the Lottery means they are eligible to purchase one of the limited spaces. This does not mean they get a private room for free. 

Students will live in 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 be assigned to another space on campus if their preferred roommate is not approved for the community.

Fall 25/Spring 26 Housing information coming in October of 2024.

Fall 25/Spring 26 Housing information coming in October of 2024.

To help control traffic around campus, residents checking in Monday, August 11 through Thursday, August 14 will need to reserve a move-in timeslot. Students approved to arrive before August 11 will not select a timeslot and will instead fill out the early arrival form.

• Log into your SEMO portal at my.semo.edu
• Search "StarRez Housing Portal"
• Click on the "Sign Up for Move In!" link at the top of the page
  • If you are using a phone it is the three lines at the top left corner
• Select your status
  • New Student- Never lived on Campus
  • Returning Student- Lived on campus before
• Review the available times for Check-in
  • If you do not see the day/time you want then it is either full or not an approved day/time
• Select the time you want to arrive on campus for check-in
• Click "Confirm" 

A confirmation will be shown on the screen and sent to your Southeast email account. You will then have the option to add this time to your Outlook calendar, change your date, or cancel your move-in time. Check-in will take place at the Show Me Center: 1333 N. Sprigg Street, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701.

• Room change requests: This Process is Under Construction
• The room change request form will reopen after 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.

Where do I go on my move-in day? All students moving in on Monday, August 11, Wednesday, August 13 and Thursday, August 14 go directly to the Show Me Center (SMC) to pick up their keys between 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.  Students arriving after 5 p.m. should go to the Towers desk. Students arriving before Monday, August 11 will check in at the Towers desk. Those arriving Friday, August 15, or after will check in at their residence hall. 

What happens in the Show Me Center (SMC)?   Students pick up their keys/keycards and receive their new student t-shirts and other check-in information. Parents and students will be able to visit with a few campus departments to learn about services. 

What do I need to bring to the Student Rec Center with me?  Bring your Southeast ID (or a picture ID), and meningitis documentation if that has not already been submitted. 

Is any money needed as part of the check-in process?   Departments will be providing information about their services, but no selling of products will take place. 

How long will this take?   The process of picking up your keys at the SMC usually takes ~15-20 minutes. Wait time from the SMC to Towers ranges from 20-30 minutes due to traffic. Wait times for all other residence halls are normally less than 15 minutes. Once you arrive at your residence hall students are normally able to unload in ~30 minutes or less if they have access to volunteers.  

Where do I park after I drop off my stuff?   Vehicles are instructed to park in resident parking after they have unloaded.  Overflow parking will be at the Show Me Center (SMC).  Shuttles will be available for access from parking lots to residence halls after unloading on Wednesday and Thursday only. 

Returning students only canceling a 25/26 housing contract before the 25/26 room selection opens will not be charged a penalty fee. Returning students canceling their 25/26 housing contract after 25/26 room selection begins but before finals week (May 5-May 9) will be charged a $150 cancellation fee. Returner cancelations for the 25/26 contract after finals week will be assessed a cancelation fee based on the reason for cancellation up to $750.

New students only canceling a 25/26 housing contract are charged based on rates listed on the Contract Terms and Conditions for University Housing if canceling before moving on to campus.

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 contact the Office of Residence Life at residencelife@semo.edu.