Fall 2026 Move-in Guide
Message from CSUN Student Housing and Residential Life Team
Greetings Matadors –
The Student Housing team is very excited to have you join our community! We are committed to creating a living environment that fosters a strong sense of inclusion and belonging for every Matador calling Student Housing their home.
It is important to remember that as a resident, you are truly part of a something bigger than just yourself. You are part of a connected living-learning experience and the Student Housing team is committed to support every Matador in reaching their academic and personal goals. We wish you nothing but the best and your continued success here at CSUN.
Success Lives Here!
Student Housing and Residential Life Team
New Online Check-in Process (All Residents)
Complete the online self check-in form at least two hours before arriving to Student Housing. You can access the form on the Student Housing Portal. It can take up to two hours after completing the form to grant you access to your room.
- Step 1: Log into the Student Housing Portal
- Step 2: Click on the Self Check-in link in the red menu bar.
- Step 3: Select the term 2026-2027.
- Step 4: Sign and complete all pages in the self-check-in
Hold On Your Account
If you are having trouble accessing the online check-in form, you may have a hold on your account. Please contact our office during our business hours or stop by the Student Housing Office to resolve any potential issues. If you arrive outside our business hours, you will have to comeback the next business day. A hold can only be cleared during our business hours (Mon-Fri, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.).
CSUN MataCard (Mandatory)
You will need to activate your CSUN MataCard and add it to the Apple or Google wallet on your mobile device to complete your check-in. CSUN MataCard will serve as your Student Housing key, not having a MataCard activated and on your mobile device before move-in can delay access to your living space. Please note, MataCard can take up to 5 business days to activate.
Fall 2026 Move-In Schedule
| Group | Date/Time | Details |
|---|---|---|
Housewarming
| Wednesday, August 19 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. | First Step: Complete online check-in two hours before arrival. If you are not able to access the self check-in form, you may have a hold on your account, please see information above on how to resolve it. Check-in Locations: After you self check-in and park, go directly to your assigned building where you can meet with your resident advisor who will be there to welcome you to CSUN. You can find your assigned building/room information in the Student Housing Portal. Parking: For parking information, please see below. If arriving after 2:30 p.m.: If you arrive after after 2:30 p.m. and don't have a hold on your account, you can self check-in and go to your assigned living space. If you arrive before 5 p.m. and have issues with accessing your living space, go to the Student Housing Office. After hours issues: If you arrive after 5 p.m. and have issues with accessing your living space unrelated to a hold, please call RA on duty. You can find your RA Duty Phone Number listed on the front door entrance of your building or visit Important Phone Numbers. |
| Group | Date/Time | Details |
|---|---|---|
NCOD
| Wednesday, August 19 9 a.m.-noon. | First Step: Complete online check-in two hours before arrival. If you are not able to access the self check-in form, you may have a hold on your account, please see information above on how to resolve it. Check-in Location: After you self check-in and park, go directly to your assigned building where you can meet with your resident advisor who will be there to welcome you to CSUN. You can find your assigned building/room information in the Student Housing Portal. Parking: For parking information, please see below. If arriving after 12 p.m.: If you arrive after after 12 p.m. and don't have a hold on your account, you can self check-in and go to your assigned living space. If you arrive before 5 p.m. and have issues with accessing your living space, go to the Student Housing Office. After hours issues: If you arrive after 5 p.m. and have issues with accessing your living space unrelated to a hold, please call RA on duty. You can find your RA Duty Phone Number listed on the front door entrance of your building or visit Important Phone Numbers. |
| Group | Date/Time | Details |
|---|---|---|
Returning Residents
| Friday, August 21 9 a.m.-1 p.m. | First Step: Complete online check-in two hours before arrival. If you are not able to access the self check-in form, you may have a hold on your account, please see information above on how to resolve it. Check-In Location: After you self check-in and park, go directly to your assigned building where you can meet with your resident advisor who will be there to welcome you to CSUN. You can find your assigned building/room information in the Student Housing Portal. Parking: For parking information, please see below. If arriving after 1 p.m.: If you arrive after after 1 p.m. and don't have a hold on your account, you can self check-in and go to your assigned living space. If you arrive before 5 p.m. and have issues with accessing your living space, go to the Student Housing Office. After hours issues: If you arrive between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. and have issues with accessing your living space unrelated to a hold, please go to the community center in Building 18 for assistance. After 7 p.m., please call RA on duty. You can find your RA Duty Phone Number listed on the front door entrance of your building or visit Important Phone Numbers. |
| Group | Date/Time | Details |
|---|---|---|
General Move-In
| Saturday, August 22 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. | First Step: Complete online check-in two hours before arrival. Check-in Location: After you self check-in and park, go directly to your assigned building where you can meet with your resident advisor who will be there to welcome you to CSUN. *Your assigned building/room information will be available in the Student Housing Portal starting Friday, August 21 at noon. Parking: Parking: For parking information, please see below. If arriving after 4:30 p.m.: If you arrive after after 4:30 p.m. and don't have a hold on your account, you can self check-in and go to your assigned living space. After hours issues: If you arrive between 4:30 p.m. and have issues with accessing your living space unrelated to a hold, please call RA on duty. You can find your RA Duty Phone Number listed on the front door entrance of your building or visit Important Phone Numbers. |
All residents who are offered and accept a housing offer after the start of the fall semester will be assigned a check-in day. You can view your assigned date and your room assignment in the Student Housing Portal.
Fall 2026 Move-in Parking Information
Student Housing maps CSUN general parking information
Housewarming Participants
- Date: August 19, 2026
- Time: 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
- Location: Lobby of your assigned building
Students participating in the Housewarming and moving-in on Wednesday will need a parking permit to park at Student Housing parking lots and structures. If you haven’t purchased your resident parking permit, daily parking permit ($10.45) can be purchased in the F10 and F9 lots, as well as the G9 parking structure. To pay-by-phone, Text CSUNPKG to 25023.
After you have completed the self check-in form (two hours before arrival), you can go directly to your assigned building.
We will have a limited number of dollies and bins available in the lobby of your assigned building but we encourage students to bring their own as we can at times run out.
Friday and Saturday Parking Restrictions
Please note, due to Friday and Saturday move-ins, we will have the following parking restrictions until 6 p.m. on Saturday, August 22.
For Friday move-in: All residents must move their cars by Friday, August 21, 2026, at 5 a.m. to 2 p.m. from the following locations:
- all surface parking lots in the housing complex
- the first two floors of the G9 parking structure
Where to park: You may move your car to the top two floors of the G9 parking structure or G6 parking structure on this day. You will have in and out privileges.
For Saturday move-in: All residents must move their cars Saturday, August 22, 2026, 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. from the following locations:
- all surface parking lots
- the first two floors of the G9 parking structure
- Lindley Avenue
- the F10 parking lot
Where to park: You may move your car to the top two floors of the G9 parking structure on this day, however, there will be no in and out privileges between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. If you'll need to come and go during the day, you'll need to park in either the G6 parking structure or other lots on the main campus.
NCOD
- Date: August 19, 2026
- Time: 9 a.m.-noon
- Location: Lobby of your assigned building
NCOD students moving-in on Wednesday will need a parking permit to park at Student Housing parking lots and structures. If you haven’t purchased your resident parking permit, daily parking permit ($10.45) can be purchased in the F10 and F9 lots, as well as the G9 parking structure. To pay-by-phone, Text CSUNPKG to 25023.
After you have completed the self check-in form (two hours before arrival), you can go directly to your assigned building.
We will have a limited number of dollies and bins available in the lobby of your assigned building but we encourage students to bring their own as we can at times run out.
Friday and Saturday Parking Restrictions
Please note, due to Friday and Saturday move-ins, we will have the following parking restrictions until 6 p.m. on Saturday, August 22.
For Friday move-in: All residents must move their cars by Friday, August 21, 2026, at 5 a.m. to 2 p.m. from the following locations:
- all surface parking lots in the housing complex
- the first two floors of the G9 parking structure
Where to park: You may move your car to the top two floors of the G9 parking structure or G6 parking structure on this day. You will have in-and-out privileges.
For Saturday move-in: All residents must move their cars Saturday, August 22, 2026, 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. from the following locations:
- all surface parking lots
- the first two floors of the G9 parking structure
- Lindley Avenue
- the F10 parking lot
Where to park: You may move your car to the top two floors of the G9 parking structure on this day, however, there will be no in-and-out privileges between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. If you'll need to come and go during the day, you'll need to park in either the G6 parking structure or other lots on the main campus.
Returning Residents
- Date: August 21, 2026
- Time: 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
- Location: Lobby of your assigned building
Returning residents who are moving-in on Friday will be allowed 15 minutes to unload only in a parking lot near their building. Once unloaded, the vehicle must be moved to the large F10 parking lot across Lassen St. You will need a parking permit to park at Student Housing parking lots and structures. If you haven’t purchased your resident parking permit, daily parking permit ($10.45) can be purchased in the F10 and F9 lots, as well as the G9 parking structure. To pay-by-phone, Text CSUNPKG to 25023.
After you have completed the self check-in form (two hours before arrival), you can go directly to your assigned building.
We will have a limited number of dollies and bins available in the lobby of your assigned building but we encourage students to bring their own as we can at times run out. We recommend unloading your car first, then getting the bin/dolly since you will only have 15 minutes before you must move your vehicle to the large F10 parking lot across Lassen St.
Saturday Parking Restrictions
Please note, due to Saturday move-in, all residents who move in before Saturday must move their cars Saturday, August 22, 2026, 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. from the following locations:
- all surface parking lots
- the first two floors of the G9 parking structure
- Lindley Avenue
- the F10 parking lot
Where to park: You may move your car to the top two floors of the G9 parking structure on this day, however, there will be no in and out privileges between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. If you'll need to come and go during the day, you'll need to park in either the G6 parking structure or other lots on the main campus.
New Residents
- Date: August 22, 2026
- Time: 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
- Location: Lobby of your assigned building
Residents moving in on Saturday will be allowed 15 minutes to unload only in a assigned parking lot near your building. Please review the parking map and assigned unloading areas below.
After you have completed the self check-in form (two hours before arrival), you can go directly to your assigned building. Your move-in time and building/room assignment can be found in the Student Housing Portal.
We will have a limited number of dollies and bins available but we encourage students to bring their own as we can at times run out. We recommend unloading your car first, then getting the bin/dolly since you will only have 15 minutes before you must move your vehicle to the large F10 parking lot across Lassen St.
Parking at the F10 lot will be free from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. on Saturday, August 22. Please note, all Student Housing parking lots will require a parking permit after 7 p.m. If you haven’t purchased your resident parking permit, daily parking permit ($10.45) can be purchased in the F10 and F9 lots, as well as the G9 parking structure. To pay-by-phone, Text CSUNPKG to 25023.
There are specific lots assigned for unloading for specific buildings. You unload in the lot closest to your building. Please refer to the move-in parking map for directions.
- PINK SQUARE – Lot F9 – Buildings 1, 2, 3, 6, 16, and 17
Travel East down Lassen and make a right turn into the Lassen Street entrance. No left turns will be allowed into this entrance, for safety reasons. - BLUE CIRCLE – Lot E9 and Lindley Street Parking Spaces – Buildings 4 and 5
Travel North or South on Lindley to park in E9 or use street parking on Lindley. - GREEN TRIANGLE – Lot G8 and Parking Structure G9 – Buildings 8, 11, 12, 22, and 23
Travel South down Zelzah and make a right turn into the G9 Parking Structure entrance. No left turns will be allowed into this entrance, for safety reasons. The lower level of the parking structure will be for disabled and staff parking only. Please note there are only stairs leading to the upper levels of the structure. - ORANGE STAR – Lots G7 and F8 (East only) – Buildings 9, 10, 13, 14, and 15
Travel South down Zelzah and make a right turn into the G7 parking lot entrance. No left turns will be allowed into this entrance, for safety reasons. Lots G7 and F8 are connected and you can use either lot. - BLACK DIAMOND – Lot G7 (West only) – Buildings 19, 20, and 21
Travel South down Zelzah and make a right turn into the G7 parking lot entrance. No left turns will be allowed into this entrance, for safety reasons.
Before move-in day
- Know your move-in info and room assignment. Visit your Student Housing Portal to confirm your room assignment and move-in date. Your move-in time, location, and unloading information will be available in the next few weeks.
- Activate your CSUN MataCard before move-in. Your MataCard is required in order to move in; you will not be able to check-in without it. It will serve as your Student Housing key and CSUN ID and you will need it for room access, dining, and after-hours entry into Student Housing. Please note, MataCard can take up to 5 business days to activate
- Check your CSUN email frequently. All future email communication from CSUN Student Housing will be sent to your @my.csun.edu email address. You can also find communication from Student Housing in the Housing portal.
- Get your Meal Plan. Residents in suites and apartments without kitchens – make sure your meal plan application is complete. You don’t want to miss any meals! Residents in units with kitchens – even though you’re not required to have a meal plan, several options are available. It’s convenient and the food is great! You can find available options by visiting CSUN Dining.
- Purchase your parking permit. If you are bringing a car to campus, we suggest you purchase your resident parking permit before you arrive.
- Purchase renters Insurance. We strongly recommend that all students get renters insurance. It can cover loss of personal property in cases of theft, fire and many other unexpected events. CSUN Student Housing is not responsible for any damages to personal property — so renters insurance is the best way students can protect their belongings. We have partnered with GradGuard — although you are welcome to use any other provider — to offer exclusive renters insurance plan designed for college students.
- Packages: Do you need to ship items to your new apartment or suite? Mail Services starts accepting packages one week prior to your move-in date. Please send all packages and mail to: [Your Name] Student Housing 17950 Lassen Street, Northridge, CA 91325. You will receive an email notification when your mail is ready to be picked up. For more information, visit Housing Mail Services.
On move-in day
- Arrive on time: Arrive at your scheduled move-in day and time. You can find this information in the Student Housing Portal and see move-in instructions outline above.
- Complete online check-in: You must review and sign the online check-in form located in the Student Housing Portal one hour before arriving at Student Housing. It will take up to one hour after the form in completed to grant you access to your living space.
- Hold on your account: If you are having trouble accessing the online check-in form, you may have a hold on your account. Please contact our office during our business hours or stop by the Student Housing Office to resolve any potential issues. A hold can only be cleared during our business hours (Mon-Fri, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.).
- Prepare for a busy and possibly hot day: Remember, it’s likely to be hot! Wear sunscreen and drink lots of water!
- Check your MataCard: The MataCard will serve as your Student Housing key and give you access to your your building/ living space as well as common areas in Housing. You will need your MataCard activated and added to the digital walled on your mobile device in order to check-in.
- Know where to park: Check the Fall Move-in Parking Information page for parking locations and map.
- Bins/dollies: We will have a limited number of dollies and bins available but we encourage students to bring their own as we can at times run out. We recommend unloading your car first, then getting the bin/dolly since you will only have 15 minutes before you must move your vehicle to the large F10 parking lot across Lassen St.
- Confirm your Meal Plan is active. You will access your meal plan via MataCard. If you are having issues with your meal plan, please visit the Meal Plan team at the Student Housing Office on Friday, August 21 and in G’mos on Saturday, August 22 between of 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. or contact Meal Plan Office via email.
- Share your move-in day!: Follow Student Housing on Instagram (@CSUNStudentHousing) to receive up-to-date information and Residence Halls Association on Instagram (@CSUNRHA) for social functions and events. You can also follow Matador Eats on Instagram (@matadoreats) for latest news, promotions and events. Share your move-in experience by tagging your posts and photos with #homeatcsunSH.