Application Guides

Floor Plan Accommodation Requests

Floor Plan accommodation requests include modifications to the on-campus housing environment, such as, but not limited to:

• Physical accessibility features (such as but not limited to ground level access, accessible shower, toilet, and sink, and remote-control door access)
• Private Bedroom: A bedroom that is not shared between roommates for disability reasons
• Private Bathroom: A bathroom that is not shared between roommates for disability reasons
• Semi-Private Bathroom: A bathroom that is only shared with one other person for disability reasons
• In-Unit Kitchen: A kitchen available and shared within a suite of roommates for disability reasons
• Private Kitchen: A kitchen that is not shared between roommates for disability reasons
• Semi-Private Kitchen: A kitchen that is only shared with one other person for disability reasons
• Strobe Light Fire Alarm
• Access for Personal Care Attendant(s)

Requests may take up to 8 weeks to fully review and implement, starting from the date the application is submitted. This timeframe does not include any time needed by the student to respond to inquiries from SAS and/or Housing and Residence Life for additional information to support a request. Implementation may take longer for unique requests and depending on specific situations.

How to Apply for Floor Plan Accommodations

1. Is Your Accommodation Request Already Met? If you are seeking a private room, private bathroom, or in-unit kitchen and already have a confirmed housing agreement, check our  Request Met by Agreement Type Quick Guide to see if your request may be naturally met by the agreement you have. If it does not meet your request or you are seeking other floor plan accommodations, proceed to the next step. 

• Per UCF Housing and Residence Life’s assignment process, any non-First-Time-in-Collegestudent will be placed in a private room if selected for a housing space through the housing lottery.

2. Submit the Floor Plan Accommodation Application (via Knights Access)

3. Submit Documentation (Optional): After submitting your online application, you will be invited to submit documentation via electronic upload. Please note that you should not delay meeting with us if you are concerned about not having the right documentation. Each consultant will discuss specific third-party documentation needs during the Welcome Meeting and steps you can take after the meeting.

• SAS provides an optional  Provider Form for UCF Housing Floor Plan Accommodation Requests that students can have a qualified professional complete to support their accommodation request(s).
• If you are seeking housing floor plan accommodations related to an allergy, we highly recommend that you provide documentation that addresses questions found in our  Allergy Medical Provider Form with your application.
• Insufficient documentation will not delay the initial meeting but may delay the consideration and possible approval of certain accommodations.

3. Check UCF Email and Follow the Prompts
After you submit your application, you will immediately receive an automated email informing you that SAS will review your application. SAS will then contact you via UCF email within ten business days regarding your next step. For those requests that require a meeting, keep these tips in mind:

• It may take a minimum of three weeks to schedule a meeting. Students new to UCF are strongly encouraged to request accommodations from SAS as early as possible prior to attending UCF.
• During the meeting, an SAS staff member will talk with you about the challenges you experience in housing relative to your disability, reasonable accommodations to address the barriers within housing, and potential next steps and accommodation options. Our goal is to keep the meeting relaxed and comfortable.
• We often need to work with UCF Housing and Residence Life to facilitate housing accommodations, which can take some time to coordinate. Here is the process Housing utilizes to finalize approved floor plan accommodations: UCF Housing and Accommodation Options

Emotional Support Animal

Under the Fair Housing Act, students may request to have an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) in their living space. An ESA is an animal that an individual with a disability utilizes solely for emotional support, well-being, or comfort. Students are encouraged to review UCF’s Service Animal and Emotional Support Animal Policy to become familiar with university guidelines and expectations for ESAs in on-campus housing.

Request Timeline: Requests may take up to 8 weeks to review and implement from the date the application is submitted. This timeline does not include time needed for students to provide additional information. Implementation may take longer depending on the nature of the request. Students may not bring the ESA to campus prior to approval from SAS & Housing and Residence Life. Doing so is a UCF policy violation.

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Please note the SAS Team considers the following factors when reviewing ESA Applications:

• Established Animal & Student Relationship: In most cases, students should have an established relationship of at least 4 months with the ESA. This helps demonstrate familiarity with the animal’s role in supporting the student’s disability-related needs and the responsibilities of caring for the animal in a residential setting.
• Non-Domesticated and Exotic Animals: Dogs and cats are the most commonly requested ESAs. Requests for other animals, particularly non-domesticated or exotic species, require additional review.
  • Examples of Non-Domesticated / Exotic Animals may include reptiles (other than turtles), ferrets, barnyard animals, monkeys, kangaroos, and other animals not typically considered household pets. These requests are evaluated in relation to:
    • Safety and well-being of the residential community
    • State of Florida regulations on keeping wildlife as pets.
    • Suitability for a high-density residence hall environment
  • Students must provide clear and compelling documentation explaining:
    • Why a typical household animal cannot provide the needed support
    • How the specific animal requested addresses disability-related needs
  • Additional considerations include animal size, space requirements, daily care, temperament, and potential risk to others. These factors may outweigh medical recommendations.
• Requests for Multiple Animals: Requests for multiple ESAs are rarely approved. Requests based solely on the animals benefiting from each other (e.g., companionship between animals) are not considered reasonable. If requesting more than one ESA, documentation must clearly demonstrate:
  • Each animal provides a distinct and necessary therapeutic benefit
  • A single animal cannot meet the student’s needs

How to Apply for an ESA in Housing

1.Submit the Housing ESA Application (via Knights Access)

2.Provide Documentation (Required): After submitting your online application, you will be required to submit documentation via electronic upload.

Part A- Medical Documentation for the Student (Required for All Applications):

Our Medical Provider Form for UCF Housing ESA Request  should be completed by your healthcare provider OR all information requested in the form must be answered in a separate letter before SAS can make a final determination. Documentation must demonstrate:

• Completion and detailed information that is specific to the student, the animal, and the disability-related need.
• Sufficient answers to all of the medical documentation
• An ongoing relationship with their provider (generally at least 3 visits) to ensure sufficient clinical knowledge.

Please Note: Certificates, registrations, or documents purchased online without an ongoing or established clinical relationship do not meet SAS documentation requirements.

Part B- Vaccination Records (Required for dogs, cats, and ferrets): Documentation must be submitted with up-to-date rabies vaccination information.

Part C- Animal Behavioral Assessment (Required for dogs): For all requested animals who must be taken outside of a student’s assigned housing unit for natural relief, the UCF ESA Animal Behavioral Assessment Form OR all information requested in the form must be answered on separate paper before SAS can make a final determination.

The behavioral assessment must be completed by a veterinarian, trainer, or qualified animal professional and indicate that the requested animal is suitable for a high-density residence hall living environment where the animal will regularly be in close contact with other individuals unknown to the animal. 

Part D- Completion and Sufficient Documentation (Required): Be sure to upload all required documentation before submitting your application. 

• Failure to provide a completed required document will result in a denial of your request until you provide all required documentation. Insufficient responses to questions will lead to an automatic non-approval of the ESA request until sufficient information is provided for reconsideration.
• Documents written or edited by persons other than the medical provider are not acceptable and may have student conduct repercussions if detected by our team

3.Check UCF Email and Follow the Prompts: After you submit your application, you will…

• Receive an automated confirmation email.
• SAS will contact you within ten business days with next steps.
• All communication will be sent to your UCF email (as soon as it is active for Knights who are new to UCF).

ESA requests are typically reviewed through documentation alone. Meetings are less common but may be requested if additional information is needed.