Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions Heading link
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How do I become a Campus Housing resident?
First – apply for Campus Housing. Once a student has completed their Housing application, which includes payment of a $50 non-refundable application fee, they will then be able to take part in room selection. Room selection will allow applicants to see vacant rooms/bedspaces and select from available spaces.
Room selection for Spring 2024-only (semester) applicants will begin on December 5 for new Housing applicants.
Room selection for the 2024-2025 academic year will begin on February 28 for current residents and on May 29 for new Housing applicants.
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When are Housing applications available?
Campus Housing applications for the Spring 2024-only (semester) went live on November 2, 2023.
Campus Housing applications for Academic Year 2024-2025 went live on December 11, 2023.
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When can students apply for Campus Housing?
Students can apply for Campus Housing once they are admitted to UIC. There is no deadline for applications, however, we do encourage interested students to apply as soon as they can if they have a specific residence hall preference, room type preference, or a roommate request.
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When do applicants sign their Housing contract?
Following room selection, applicants will be required to sign their Housing contract to secure that selected room. If an applicant does not sign the Housing contract, the selected room/bedspace will become available to other applicants taking part in room selection.
Once a contract is signed, that room selection is final. No room changes will be conducted prior to the start of the contract period. A room change request may only be submitted after the 10th day of classes.
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Is there a Housing deposit that needs to be paid in addition to the application fee?
No – UIC Campus Housing does not require or collect a Housing deposit.
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What if I cannot pay the $50 non-refundable application fee?
Campus Housing will not waive the application fee but will defer it until the beginning of the applied for semester or term start and then charge it to the applicant’s student account. To have the application fee deferred, please contact housing@uic.edu.
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Can I make changes to my Housing application?
Changes can be made to the Housing application prior to room selection beginning. To update your application preferences prior to beginning the room selection process, revisit your Housing application at go.uic.edu/applyhousing and select the Apply Here tab to reenter your application and make changes.
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Do I need to apply for Fall semester and then apply again for Spring semester?
No – academic year Housing applications are for both Fall and Spring semesters.
If you are looking for a Fall semester-only contract, you will need to indicate that preference in the Housing application. Note – Fall semester only contracts are placed in SSR only; other residence hall options are not available for Fall-only contracts.
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What if I only need housing for one semester?
One semester Housing contracts are only available to students that select a room in SSR. For these students, room selection in SSR will allow them to complete their contract in December without cancellation penalties (pending graduation verification, participation in study abroad, or similar). Full cancellation penalties will apply to students who sign a contract for a residence hall other than SSR and are planning to graduate at the end of the Fall semester.
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Is emergency contact information required?
Yes – the Housing application will require that emergency contact information is provided. Applicants/residents can update their emergency contact information kept with Campus Housing at any time in the Housing Portal.
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Do I need renters insurance?
UIC Campus Housing assumes no financial responsibility over the personal property of residents nor will the institution be financially responsible for large-scale, unintentional damage caused to university property by on-campus residents, such as a fire or sprinkler-head flood.
Renters insurance is optional but we strongly all residents to identify and purchase a coverage plan with GradGuard. GradGuard College Renters Insurance provides unique student-focused coverage, through an exclusive student endorsement. What does that mean? Well, it means you’ll have access to features that you can’t find in your standard homeowner’s insurance policy or through other companies.
For information regarding policy plans, cost, and how to make a claim please visit gradguard.com
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What are Living Learning Communities (LLCs) and Affinity Dwellings?
Living and Learning Communities (LLCs) and Affinity Dwellings provide specialized attention for an enriched educational experience. They offer a sense of community through programs, conversations, and faculty interaction centered on members’ interests. To learn more about LLCs and Affinity Dwellings offered, visit the Living Learning Community page.
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Am I required to join a Living Learning Community (LLC)?
No – LLCs and Affinity Dwellings are an optional selection for applicants to join if they wish to do so. Please note that LLCs and Affinity Dwellings are located in specific residence halls offered by Campus Housing and their location may not match your preferred residence hall or room type.
Selecting an LLCs or Affinity Dwellings will limit what residence halls or room types an applicant sees in room selection. To change your LLC or Affinity Dwelling selection, update your Housing application, revisit your Housing application at go.uic.edu/applyhousing and select the Apply Here tab to reenter your application and make changes.
- Note – LLC or Affinity Dwelling selection is not available for Spring-only applicants.
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Does indicating that I intend to register for a Housing accommodation in the Housing application complete the process for me?
No – applicants must register with the Disability Resource Center (DRC). For fastest approval and placement, please register with DRC by May 20, 2024.
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How do I select a roommate(s)?
Our Housing application allows applicants to search for potential roommates, send messages, and send roommate requests. Search for potential roommates based on response to roommate selection questions or simply ask our application software to provide a list of recommended roommates based upon a percentage match to our roommate selection questions.
Applicants can also send messages to each other within the Housing application, allowing potential roommates to get to know each other and communicate.
Finally, roommate requests can be sent within the application, as well. Roommate requests must be mutual matching requests.
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What is room selection?
Applicants to Campus Housing select their room/bedspace assignment during their assigned room selection window. Room selection is also sometimes referred to as self-selection.
Prior to room selection beginning, applicants will receive email directions providing information regarding their room selection window and further details related to room selection. Room selection allows students to view all available units for which they are eligible and directly select the room/bedspace they wish to live in. To preview Housing options with their requirements and amenities, please view our Residence Halls page.
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How do I know the different types of housing offered?
A virtual tour of each room type can be found on the Virtual Tours page to explore room and unit types offered. Additionally, information located under our Residence Halls page and Rates page provide further information on room types offered within our various residence hall options.
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Are there any gender-inclusive housing options?
The choice to live in a gender-inclusive room or unit is up to the student at the time of application. No student will be assigned to a gender-inclusive room or unit without their expressed consent to live with a specific person(s) of any identified gender.
Our SPECTRUM Living Learning Community and our SISTERS Living Learning Community are our sole locations where gender-inclusive units are offered that students can select during room selection without having formed a roommate group that consists of students with mixed identified genders.
Gender-inclusive options also can be found through the creation of roommate groups in the application process. Roommates groups can be formed by applicants of any identified gender, allowing a gender-inclusive option upon room selection by that group.
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I have a roommate in mind; how do I request a roommate?
Applicants can search for their preferred roommate(s) in the Housing application via their University Identification Number (UIN), First name, or Last name. If their preferred roommate(s) has not yet completed their Housing application, the applicants can renter their Housing application after both parties have completed and search for each other.
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What if my room preference is not available when room selection occurs?
Some Campus Housing room types or residence hall locations are very popular and may not have vacancies available for you when your room selection window begins. Explore our various residence hall and room type options on the Housing website and have a list of second or third preferences ready for you to select if you find your first option is no longer available.
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What if I do not have a roommate in mind or intend to live alone; how should I proceed?
Room selection is not guaranteed, so it is recommended that all residents choose a few roommates in case their first or second room preference is not chosen.
To choose a roommate, you can filter out other potential roommates by searching through the questionnaire or simply by clicking suggested roommates. In the suggested roommate tab, the percentage match will show how alike your questionnaires were as well as their response to the “About Me” section. Do keep in mind, this is only shown if “Display in Roommate Search results” is checked in the questionnaire portion.
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Am I required to have a meal plan?
Meal plans are required for residents living in ARC, Courtyard, Commons West, Commons North, Commons South, and James Stukel Towers.
Meal plan purchase is optional for residents living in Marie Robinson Hall, Thomas Beckham Hall, and SSR.
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How do I select or change my meal plan?
To select and view different meal plans, visit the UIC Dining Services website. Meal plan changes are available within the first 10 days of the semester only.
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What items are prohibited from the residence halls?
To view all prohibited items, search in the Resident Handbook under Prohibited Items. Our Move-In page will go live in July and will also contain a list of suggested items for residents to bring so that they have an enjoyable experience in Campus Housing as well as a list of items not to bring with them upon move-in.
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What about parking on campus?
Campus Housing does not maintain parking lots or garages, nor is parking guaranteed for Housing residents. Parking is managed by UIC Parking Services and permit application is done through their website.
Parking on-campus at UIC is at a premium and students wishing to purchase a parking permit are encouraged to apply ASAP to give them the best chance to purchase a permit for their preferred parking location.
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Is laundry available?
Yes, all residence halls offer free laundry services.