The University of Nebraska–Lincoln requires incoming first-year students taking six or more credit hours to live in approved on-campus housing for the academic year, unless they are exempt, and its housing application costs a non-refundable $100. Its 2025-26 housing and dining policies list meal plans but no room rates. That is the latest policies document I could find, so check housing.unl.edu for current rates.
Details come from UNL Housing’s 2025-26 housing and dining policies and its housing home page, checked on 29 October 2026. Amounts are in US dollars.
Live-on requirement and contract rules (2025-26)
| Question | What UNL says |
|---|---|
| Who must live on campus | Incoming first-year students enrolled for six or more credit hours |
| How to comply | Apply for residence hall housing, confirm residency in approved Greek housing, or be approved for an exemption |
| Deadline | 1 August for fall or academic-year admits; 1 January for spring admits |
| Exemptions | Approved reasons include graduation, military service, study abroad or being an out-of-state student not enrolled at UNL; second-year students and beyond are generally not subject |
| Application fee | $100, non-refundable |
| Contract | Legally binding for the whole academic year; 2025-26 ran 17 August 2025 to 9 May 2026 |
Room rates are billed once per semester. For 2025-26, UNL projected a 3% to 5% rise over 2024-25 rather than publishing amounts in that document. First-year residents must buy a weekly meal plan, for example 14 meals a week with $200 Dining Dollars a semester. Cancellation refunds depend on dates: for new students, 100% on or before 15 July 2025 for fall, with partial refunds to 19 October 2025 and none after that.
I could not verify current room rates or off-campus rents in Lincoln, so I have not quoted them or ranked neighbourhoods. If you rent privately, view the property in person or on a live video call, get a written lease and never pay before you have one. Before you commit, read our guide to university halls versus private housing, the checklist of what to look for before you sign and our safety guide.
FAQs about student accommodation in Lincoln
Do UNL first-year students have to live on campus?
Yes, if they are enrolled for six or more credit hours, unless they receive an approved exemption.
When is the housing deadline?
1 August for fall and academic-year admits and 1 January for spring admits, according to the 2025-26 policies. Students who miss it are charged for an unassigned traditional double.
Sources
All checked 29 October 2026.
