Living on campus can be an incredibly rewarding part of your university experience. As a first-year or transfer student, you're guaranteed a spot in one of our residences. Enjoy a supportive living environment and easy access to your classes, libraries, and recreational facilities.
How to reserve your spot in residence
1. Accept your Offer of Admission
- Accept your academic Offer of Admission to Waterloo by the deadline (June 1, 2026 for most students).
- When we receive your acceptance, we'll send your Waterloo ID number by email. You can then move to step 2.
2. Claim your Waterloo ID
Once you've accepted your Offer of Admission and received your Waterloo ID number, create your WatIAm ID (using the New User Registration link).
- After you've claimed your WatIAM username, wait 72 hours for it to be activated. In the meantime, you can go onto step 3.
- Tip: Since it takes 72 hours for your WatIAM username to be activated, you should do this several days before the June 8 deadline.
3. Set up two-factor authentication
Once you have your WatIAM username, you'll need to set up two-factor authentication (2FA). This will protect your Waterloo account throughout your time as a student.
- Log in to the 2FA website using your WatIAM username followed by @uwaterloo.ca as your email address. You'll use your WatIAM password.
- Step-by-step instructions for setting up 2FA.
4. Complete the residence application form by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on June 8, 2026
Once you've waited 72 hours for your WatIAM to be activated, you can fill out the New Student Residence Application.
- To log in, use your WatIAM username followed by @uwaterloo.ca as your email address along with the WatIAM password (created in step 2).
- Once you've logged in, rank your preference for Campus Housing residences, Renison University College, St. Jerome’s University, and United College.
- Learn about the residences which are part of the guarantee.
- You can also let us know whether you'd like to live in a Living Learning Community.
- Review and confirm your gender identity. This will be used when assigning a residence floor and/or roommate. Need to make a change? Edit the personal details in your profile on the Ontario Universities' Application Centre website.
5. Submit your $500 non-refundable housing deposit
- Your residence guarantee application isn't complete until you pay your non-refundable deposit.
- We'll send you instructions on how to pay by Visa, MasterCard, or American Express. Your deposit is due by 11:59 p.m. ET on June 8, 2026.
6. We'll confirm your residence
- We'll email you in mid-June to let you know whether you’ve been placed in a Campus Housing residence, Renison University College, St. Jerome's University, or United College.
- Your residence will email you with the next steps.
Notes
- The guarantee does not apply if you miss the June 8 deadline to apply to the residence guarantee.
- Your grades and when you receive an offer of admission do not affect your options for residence.
- Conrad Grebel University College is another on-campus residence. A separate application is required.
From the Missing Manual
For tips and advice from Waterloo students and staff, visit our Missing Manual website for articles like these.
What are the different residences at Waterloo?
Knowing which residence best meets your needs can be a bit tricky, but you're in luck! Read the rundown on each residence at Waterloo to help you differentiate them and figure out the right place for you.
Choosing your Waterloo residence
Finding the "perfect residence" can be a crucial step in experiencing a smooth transition to university, here are answers to some of the important and common questions you might have.
Completing the residence preference form
If you’re planning on living in residence, there's a few things you'll need to complete. Here are a few tips to consider as you fill out these applications!