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New Student Guide

We are very excited that you are interested in joining us on-campus for the upcoming year!  Check out this list of FAQs regarding the housing application process & living on-campus.

Important Dates

  • May 1– Housing Application Deadline for Guaranteed 2020-2021 Housing
  • June 15– Deadline to Request a Roommate
  • July 17– Roommate & Roommate Assignment Information Sent to Students via UMBC email
  • August 1– Fall E-bill available with Housing & Meal Plan Charges
  • August 8- Deadline to order a BedLoft
  • August 20- Deadline to order a Microfridge
  • August 22- New Student Move-In
  • September 10- Deadline to change meal plan

Application & Deposit

  • Where do I go to complete the housing application?
  • When is the application deadline?
    • We have extended the May 1 deadline to May 7 for first-year guaranteed on campus housing for the Fall semester.
    • Meanwhile, the General Housing (Wait List) Application will now be available on May 8 and will remain open through Winter Term.
  • If I missed the May 1st deadline, can I still apply?
    • If you miss that deadline you are still encouraged to submit a General Housing Application. Once submitted, you will be added to a housing wait list.
  • When do I need to pay the $200 Housing Deposit?
    • First-year freshmen who complete the application by May 1 are required to pay the $200 housing deposit and acknowledge the housing license (contract) as part of their application.
    • Transfers students who complete the application by May 1 are not required to pay the $200 housing deposit as part of the initial application.  They will be sent a separate application from either Resident Life or Walker Avenue requiring the $200 housing deposit and acknowledgment the housing license (contract) in May.
    • Those who complete the application after May 1 are not required to pay the $200 housing deposit as part of the initial application.  They will be required to pay the deposit and acknowledge the housing license (contract) when we are able to offer them a space on campus.
  • Can the housing deposit be waived?
  • Is the housing deposit refundable?
    • If a student completes the full term of the license (fall & spring semester), the housing deposit will be returned to them, unless they plan to return to housing for a second year.  At which point we will hold onto the deposit to secure their space for the upcoming academic year.
    • If a student cancels or terminates their housing the deposit is forfeited.
  • Can I apply to live on-campus for just the fall semester?
    • The housing license (contract) is for the full academic year (fall and spring).  When a student acknowledges the license, they are agreeing to that commitment.
  • I am under 18, how do my parent’s sign the license?
    • If you are under the age of 18, you should complete the application online fully.  As part of Step 5 (Freshmen application) you will be instructed to click the link provided for your parent/guardian to acknowledge the license: https://docusign.umbc.edu/secure/prd/FormToDocuSign/Form2DS.php?cfg=RL_HousingLicenseVerification.
    • After you click the link in the application:
      • Provide names and emails for those who need to sign the form.
      • The form will be sent via email to student complete, then
      • The form is sent via email to guardian to complete, then
      • The form is sent to Residential Life
      • The student will need to sign and acknowledge the form because it gets emailed to your parent/guardian.

Housing Options 

  • Where can students live?
    • Most first-year freshmen will live in traditional communities (Patapsco, Potomac, Susquehanna, and Chesapeake Halls). Only first-year students who are admitted into LLCs housed in suites (Harbor &  Erickson) will be placed in that style of housing. First-year students typically live in shared (double/triple) bedrooms.
    • Transfer students may have the option to live in our traditional communities, suites, apartments (West Hill, Terrace, Hillside) or at Walker Avenue Apartments depending on their number of completed credits and availability of space.  Students must have 39+ completed credits to be considered for Walker Avenue Apartments.  Students must have 50+ completed credits to be considered for Residential Life Apartments.
    • Visit https://reslife.umbc.edu/communities/ to see floor plans and information about LLC and Quiet Lifestyle locations.
  • Can I pick which building I want to live in?
    • Students are unable to specify a particular building on their application, but may be able to specify a preference for style of housing and communities.
  • What is 9-month housing?
    • Most first-year students are 8-month housing, which requires students to depart during semester break closings (Thanksgiving, Winter and Spring Break). Students who may find it difficult to travel home during those breaks and students who intend on enrolling in winter classes and will need to remain on campus should indicate a preference for 9-month housing.
  • What is Gender Inclusive housing?
    • Gender Inclusive Housing is defined as a housing option in which two or more students share a multiple-occupancy apartment or suite, in mutual agreement, regardless of the students’ sex, gender, gender identity, or gender expression.
  • What is a Quiet Lifestyle floor?
    • All communities have quiet hours, but some floors enjoy extended quiet hours per community agreement.
  • What do I do if I need an accommodation?
    • Students seeking an accommodation due to medical need should (1) indicate potential needs on the housing application and (2) work with Student Disability Services.  While its helpful for our staff to know that you might have an need on your housing application, housing placement decisions are made based on the recommendations from Student Disability Services (sds.umbc.edu).

Living Learning Communities (LLC)

  • What are the different LLCs?
  • Where is each LLC located?
  • How do I apply to live in an LLC?
    • Students are able to apply to one (1) or multiple LLCs through the Housing Application.  Priority is given to those who received invitations and completed the google interest form in March, and first-year freshmen who apply by May 1. Please note that some LLCs are only available to students in specific academic programs.
  • When will I know if I was accepted onto an LLC floor?
    • Students will be notified in mid to late-May. If they are no longer interested in the LLC that made the offer, they have the ability to decline.
  • If I get accepted onto an LLC floor, can I request a roommate?
    • If you are admitted to an LLC, you can only request a roommate who has also been admitted to that LLC. You should work directly with your LLC Coordinator around your roommate request.
  • Who should I contact if I have specific question about a LLC?
    • Contact the LLC Coordinator.  You can find their contact information on the LLC webpage.

Roommates & Room Information

  • Can I request a roommate(s)? 
    • First-year students who apply by May 1 can request one (1) preferred roommate who is also an incoming Fall 2020 Freshman. However, if you would like to form a group of 3 for a triple occupancy room (3 sets of furniture in one larger room at a reduced cost) please contact Wendy Crowe in Residential Life at crowe@umbc.edu or 410-455-8832.
  • How do I request a roommate?
    • First-year students who apply by May 1 will receive instructions via email on how to form a roommate group in mid-May.  The deadline to request a roommate is June 15, 2020 at 11:59PM.
  • If I get accepted onto an LLC floor, can I request a roommate?
    • If you are admitted to an LLC, you can only request a roommate who has also been admitted to that LLC.
  • When will I find my room and roommate information?
    • Students who completed the application by May 1 should receive their assignment and roommate information on July 17, via their UMBC email.  We encourage you to connect with your roommate(s) early.
  • Can I see my room before I move-in?
    • Due to camps, conferences, and summer programs we are unable to allow students to view their specific room. We encourage students to reach out to Admissions about opportunities to join a Black & Gold tour, or to view images and floor plans at https://reslife.umbc.edu/communities/
  • Can I change my room roommate or assignment?
    • Due to the high demand for housing, we are unable to honor any room/roommate change requests prior to the start of the semester.  Please keep in mind that during the first two (2) weeks of each semester, room changes are not permitted.  Room Freezes allow Residential Life to “take attendance,” move any students out of their temporary assignments, and place students on the wait list.
  • Can I cancel housing if I no longer wish to live on campus?

General Questions

Was there a question we missed? Contact us with your question!