Affiliate Housing
Affiliate Housing @
Creekside at the Grounds
Affiliate Housing, announced in January 2026, is designed to create a clearer pathway for students as they transition into off-campus living, while maintaining a connection to the broader Wake Forest community.
In April 2026, the University advanced the initiative with the selection of Creekside at The Grounds as the University’s affiliate housing property.
This reflects a continued commitment to providing students with an intentional, student-centered off-campus housing experience that aligns with Wake Forest’s residential model and supports long-term planning.
Through the Affiliate Housing Initiative, eligible students will be able to apply their residence at Creekside toward the University’s six-semester housing requirement.
Leasing Process for 2027-28
Getting started at Creekside is designed to be a clear and straightforward process:
- Submit your application to live at Creekside
Students begin by completing a brief application. - Authorize eligibility confirmation
As part of the application, students will be asked to provide permission for Creekside to confirm eligibility with Wake Forest. - Review your lease materials
Creekside will share the lease agreement with the student and guarantor for review. - Eligibility confirmation
After the student signs the lease, Creekside will verify eligibility with the University. - Lease finalized
Once eligibility is confirmed, Creekside will countersign the lease, completing the process.
Eligibility
Who this opportunity is designed for:
Beginning in Fall 2027, Creekside will be part of the expanded housing options available to students as they move through their Wake Forest experience.
This includes:
- Graduate or professional students.
- Undergraduate students who:
- Are in their third year or beyond (juniors and seniors)
-and- - Will have earned four or more (4+) housing credits
- Are in their third year or beyond (juniors and seniors)
This will include most students entering their third or fourth year in the 2027-28 Academic Year.
Housing credits continue to be reviewed and assigned by the University, including for transfer students.
A note on eligibility
Some students will continue to live on campus as part of the Wake Forest residential experience. This includes:
- Students whose scholarships require on-campus residency
- Students who have not yet reached four housing credits
- Students who are required to live in on-campus housing in accordance with University policies
About Creekside
Creekside at The Grounds is a new residential community currently in development near campus, with a planned opening in Fall 2027. The community is designed with students in mind and will offer a mix of furnished apartment-style living, shared amenities, and access to outdoor and community spaces.
Creekside has opened an interest list for students considering this option. This is especially relevant for students who will be in their junior or senior year in the 2027-28 academic year and are beginning to think about their housing plans.
Frequently Asked Questions
Housing Credits continue to be managed by Residence Life and Housing. Students who have not yet reached six credits will continue to earn them each semester (based on the census date), including while living at Creekside.
Once a student has reached six Housing Credits, no additional credits will be awarded.
Yes, since students living at Creekside are technically living off-campus, they will be expected to register their address and complete the off-campus orientation course like any other off-campus student. Learn more on our off-campus living page.
Some scholarships require living on campus. Students with this requirement will continue to reside in campus housing and will not be eligible for Creekside.
Because scholarship requirements can vary, we encourage you to review the requirements from the Wake Forest Scholars Program as well as your specific award details to better understand your options. Contact the Wake Forest Scholars Program with any questions at .
- Private lease: Creekside operates under a private lease; rent and any required deposits are paid directly by the student to the property rather than billed through Wake Forest.
- Financial aid: A student’s institutional financial aid will not change based on whether they live on campus or in affiliate/off-campus housing. Financial aid is determined using standard housing and food allowances that are applied consistently to all students, rather than a student’s specific housing choice.
- Billing and refunds: Students living at Creekside will not have housing charges on their university bill. As a result, their billed charges may be lower, and more of their financial aid may be issued as a refund.
- Timing: Refunds are processed after the start of the semester, so they may not be available in time to cover initial rent payments such as those due in August or January.