As part of TCU’s long-term campus development plan, parking across campus will be reallocated to support several major construction projects beginning in the coming years. The frequently asked questions below are here to help you navigate this transition with ease.
The parking permit portal will open on August 4 for faculty, staff, commuter students, residential students, and first-year students who were selected to receive a permit in the lottery.
Due to the lack of available spots and ongoing construction projects, first-year students will not automatically be allowed to bring a car to campus.
Students can fill out the Parking Permit Exemption form here. *Closed*
Things to note:
Students are encouraged to utilize the numerous available on-campus jobs to negate the need for transportation. Visit the career center website to see what is available: careers.tcu.edu.
We could not announce that the policy for first-year students was changing for the 2025-26 school year until after the approval of the construction plans by the Board of Trustees in mid-April.
We encourage you to explore alternative transportation options, such as rideshare services, ZipCar rentals, the on-campus transit system, or carpooling with friends. Please note that parking lots may not be located near residential buildings, so plan accordingly.
The transit system is expanding in Fall 2025.
Currently, service runs from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. Routes begin at Lot 4, and shuttles run in opposite directions around central campus, north and south bound down University and Stadium Drive. Two Groome Transportation transit vans will carry 10 passengers each. The approximate wait time will be 10 to 15 minutes. Always consider that high-traffic areas of campus may slow down the routes during busy times, much like other vehicle traffic.
There are no lots that TCU contracts with within 15 minutes of campus that students can utilize.
The following map shows the east campus lots that will be closing on April 20, 2025 for Phase I:
Phase I will begin on April 20, 2025.
Phase II will begin on May 12, 2025
Some lots will never reopen because they will be used to build residence halls or academic buildings.
These lots are part of the campus master plan and will be used for residence halls or academic buildings.
Closures will affect commuters, faculty/staff, EV chargers, Tier 1 holders, and handicapped parking.
Tier 1, commuter and faculty/staff permit holders will have to park in another available east campus lot that is not involved in the closures or on the West side of campus near the stadium, and utilize the shuttles. More information about the shuttle service can be found here.
Beginning Fall 2025, Molly Reid parking garage will be reallocated for Tier 1 faculty and staff.
Tier 1 permit holders have access to park in all areas of campus, except for visitor spaces or reserved spaces assigned or marked with a sign.
The 4 EV chargers currently on campus will no longer be available as the lots housing these devices are being removed for the master plan.
Facilities began a study on EV chargers on campus, but currently, we have not been made aware of the next steps.
The 1st floor of the Molly Reid Garage has 7 ADA spaces available and the 2nd floor of the garage has 3 ADA spaces available.
No, we do not have any available parking lots to store cars on, or off campus.
Notifications to first-year students who were selected in the lottery for the opportunity to purchase a parking permit were sent via email. These students must accept/deny their permit by Friday, July 18. They can purchase a permit on August 4 with the portal opens.
Those who were not selected were notified via email. If any student who was selected in the lottery declines or does not accept their permit by July 18, their permit will be allocated to another student in the lottery who was not originally selected. Those students will be notified on Monday, July 21.
Any transfer or commuter student who completed the lottery application received an email stating that they are already eligible to purchase a permit and were removed from the lottery. They can purchase a permit on August 4 when the portal opens.
We have received your application for the first-year parking permit exemption and will be conducting the lottery this week. If drawn, you will receive an email on Friday, July 11.
During the 2024-25 academic year, 1,000 first-year students purchased parking permits. Approximately 900 incoming first-year students requested a parking exemption for the upcoming 2025-26 school year.
The number of spaces will vary from year to year based on our community’s continued growth and ongoing campus planning. We have 400 spaces available in the lottery for this academic year.
There is no appeal process for those not drawn for a permit in the lottery.
Please keep in mind before accepting a permit exemption:
Residential students who receive a parking permit will not be able to park close to their residence halls. Permits will be assigned primarily for lots 2, 3 and 4 which are located away from campus housing.
On home game days and when other campus events are announced, all vehicles with these permits must be moved off campus. To assist during these times, we’ve arranged for an off-site parking lot about 3 miles from campus, and a shuttle will provide transportation to and from this lot on a limited schedule. Please remember, vehicles that are not moved when required will be fined and towed at the student’s expense.
As you prepare for this exciting next chapter at TCU, we want to keep you informed about on-campus parking for first-year students.
During the 2024-25 academic year, 1,000 first-year students purchased parking permits. However, with our community’s continued growth and ongoing campus planning, parking availability has become severely limited.
Approximately 900 incoming first-year students requested a parking exemption for the upcoming 2025-26 school year through the lottery (which is now closed). Only a fraction of these exemptions can be granted due to construction and space limitations. Although we cannot accommodate every request, we appreciate your understanding and flexibility. Students who applied for an exemption will soon receive notification about next steps.
We understand that transportation is an important part of your TCU experience. Over 1400 first-year frogs attended successfully last year without a car. If you do not receive a parking permit in your first year, there are still many convenient and flexible ways to get around campus and the Fort Worth area, including:
We encourage you to explore these alternatives and make the most of the opportunities available. If you have any questions or need assistance, our Parking & Transportation Office is here to help.
Effective Fall 2025, the Molly Reid parking garage will be reallocated to Tier 1 faculty and staff. This change is part of ongoing efforts to optimize our campus facilities.
As changes continue, residential students will continue to see less parking near residential facilities.
Please note that all reallocations will remain in place for a minimum of two years, after which we will reassess our parking strategy based on the evolving needs of our campus community.
We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we work towards enhancing our campus environment.
Horned Frogs,
We’re excited to welcome you to TCU! If you’re wanting to bring a car to campus, here’s an important update about parking permits for first-year students.
Key Details:
Where to Apply:
Click the button to access the exemption form, or visit parking.tcu.edu for more information.
We encourage you to explore alternative transportation options, such as rideshare services, ZipCar rentals, the on-campus transit system, or carpooling with friends. Please note that parking lots may not be located near residential buildings, so plan accordingly.
Thank you, and Go Frogs!
TCU Parking & Transportation
parking.tcu.edu
Dear Students, Faculty and Staff,
As part of TCU’s long-term campus development plans, parking across campus will be reallocated, adjusted and, in some cases, permanently eliminated to accommodate major construction projects launching over the next few years.
The first phase of parking changes will begin on April 20, with additional changes taking effect in May and August. These changes will impact several lots on the East side of campus, including areas currently used by faculty, staff and students.
Key changes for the April 20 closure include:
We understand these changes may require adjustments to your daily routines, and we appreciate your flexibility as the campus evolves.
To help answer your questions, we’ve prepared a Parking Q&A with detailed information about timelines, shuttle routes and more on our website.
You will continue to receive email updates on each stage of parking changes as they evolve.
Thank you for your cooperation and continued commitment to our growing TCU community.
TCU Parking & Transportation
Dear Students, Faculty and Staff,
As shared in our April 1 communication, continuous parking adjustments are needed to support campus development efforts.
Effective April 20 through May 15, parking lots EC-1, EC-3, EC-15, Lot RH and Lot RI will be permanently closed.
Students: Commuter students may park in Lot 3, Lot 4, or existing and available commuter lots.
Employees: In addition to existing employee parking, temporary spaces have been identified in the Molly Reid Hall (formerly GrandMarc) parking garage and the Admissions Visitor Lot.
Molly Reid Hall Parking Garage Details:
Admissions Visitor Lot Details:
Expect stringent parking enforcement.
We understand these changes may require adjustments to your daily routines, and we appreciate your flexibility as the campus evolves.
To help answer your questions, we’ve prepared a Parking Q&A with detailed information about timelines, shuttle routes and more on our website.
Thank you for your cooperation and continued commitment to our growing TCU community.
TCU Parking & Transportation
parking.tcu.edu
