Dear Wake Forest Families,
We know you have received many communications from Wake Forest over the past week, given the snow and ice we have experienced, and we normally try to give your inboxes a break. However, we have a couple of upcoming housing-related processes your students will experience, and we want to ensure families are well informed about them.
As we hope you know, Wake Forest has a long-standing commitment to global education, with more than 80% of students participating in study abroad or study away programs in recent years. As families begin planning for Fall 2026 study abroad, we want to share important information about housing considerations for students who may return to campus in Spring 2027.
We know housing decisions can feel stressful, particularly when a student is away from campus. We are sharing this information early, so families and students can plan thoughtfully and avoid last-minute decisions.
Why Housing Requires Early Planning
Each year, many juniors choose to study abroad during the fall semester. While this is an exciting and valuable experience, it also means many students return to campus at the same time in the spring.
Residence Life and Housing works diligently to support students who remain under Wake Forest’s six-semester residency requirement, while on-campus housing availability for Spring 2027 will be limited. As a result:
- Not all students returning from abroad will be able to live on campus
- Roommate choice cannot be guaranteed
- Many students choose to live off campus after returning from a semester abroad
To help manage demand fairly, Wake Forest offers an Off-Campus Lottery, a long-standing process that allows eligible students to request a release from the residency requirement.
Important for families: Students should not sign an off-campus lease unless they have received written confirmation from Residence Life and Housing that they have been released from the residency requirement.
What Happens While Your Student Is Abroad
Students studying abroad in Fall 2026 will hear directly from Residence Life and Housing beginning in October 2026. At that time, students will submit a Spring Intent Form indicating whether they plan to:
- Return to campus housing
- Remain abroad
- Request to live off campus
Based on these responses, Residence Life and Housing will guide students through the appropriate next steps, whether that is spring housing selection or the Off-Campus Lottery.
At this time, no action is required from families or students who plan to return to on-campus housing for Spring 2027.
Key Dates for Families to Be Aware Of
February 1, 2026
Students may apply for the first phase of the Off-Campus Lottery for Spring 2027.
- Decisions are shared by February 13
- Students studying abroad may also choose to apply during a second phase in October 2026
March 31, 2026
Deadline to withdraw from Fall 2026 study abroad if a student wishes to participate in the 2026–27 Housing Selection process in April.
October 2026
Residence Life and Housing opens the Spring Intent process for all students, including those studying abroad.
December 2026
Spring-Only Housing Selection takes place for students returning from Fall 2026 study abroad.
On-Campus Housing Options for Spring 2027
- A newly-renovated Babcock Hall will reopen in January 2027, providing just over 200 beds for students returning from abroad
- Additional housing across campus will be very limited
- Students returning from abroad are often placed in rooms with available space, which may include roommates they did not select or previously know
Understanding the Off-Campus Option
Residence Life and Housing recognizes that students’ living preferences may change after studying abroad. The Off-Campus Lottery supports these evolving needs and has been part of Wake Forest’s housing system for many years.
Families are encouraged to talk with their students about both on-campus and off-campus possibilities so decisions are not made while the student is overseas.
Common Family Questions
Will Wake Forest require my student to live off campus before completing the residency requirement?
The University works closely across departments to house all students who are still under the residency requirement and wish to live on campus. While spring housing availability is limited, Wake Forest has historically met this obligation.
To date, RLH has been able to house everyone, even during spring semesters. On-campus inventory (which can be low) has historically been offset by a high proportion of juniors wanting to live off campus upon returning from abroad.
Why does the University say many returning students should not expect on-campus housing?
In recent years, approximately 800 students have studied abroad during the fall semester. Historically, many of those students have preferred to live off campus when they return to Winston-Salem, and RLH accounts for that in our occupancy planning. We share this information early so families and students can plan with clarity whether to apply to the off-campus lottery, and they have more time to secure housing.
How do costs differ if my student lives off campus?
- Students living off campus are not charged for on-campus housing
- Meal plans are optional for off-campus students
- Financial aid generally does not change. Families with questions should contact:
- Student Financial Aid: finaid@wfu.edu | 336.758.5154
- Scholars Office (for scholarship residency requirements): wfscholars@wfu.edu | 336.758.4497
We appreciate your partnership as we support students in pursuing meaningful global experiences and in carefully planning their return to campus. Please encourage your student to review messages from Residence Life and Housing and to reach out to them at housing@wfu.edu with questions as they arise.
Best –
Zach Blackmon, Ph.D.
Director of Operations
Residence Life and Housing