Live in residence, 100% guaranteed
Living in residences means becoming part of a great community, with support to help make your transition to University life as smooth as possible. You have the choice of living in one of Waterloo Residences 5 first-year residences, or at one of Waterloo’s University Colleges.
At UWaterloo, residence is guaranteed for all incoming first-year students. What do you need to do?
Printable checklist
Download our printable checklist to stay on top of key dates, then apply below.
The Road Home
Accept your offer to the University of Waterloo
Congratulations! You’re on your way to becoming a Waterloo Warrior.
Prepare to apply for Residence
Research the difference between Waterloo Residences, St. Jerome's, Renison, and St. Paul's. Check out available meal plans, Living-Learning Communities, life in residence through our Beyond Ideas blogs, and visit us during March Break Open House on March 10 or You @ Waterloo Day on May 26.
Go online and complete the Residence Community Ranking Form
The online form (RCRF) opens Thursday, February 1 and closes on Friday, June 1 at 11:59 p.m. EDT.
On this form, you are only selecting which on-campus residence community you'd like to live with and which living-learning community you would like to join.
If you have an accessibility request, you must complete the Housing Disability Verification Form and submit it by the June 1 deadline.
Pay your non-refundable $500 deposit
To complete your form submission, you must make a $500 CAD non-refundable deposit. Payments can be made online by credit card or INTERAC® Online to ensure the deposit is received by the deadline.
Accepted to Waterloo Residences
Check your email on Thursday, June 14 to see where you have been placed. If you are in Waterloo Residences, you will receive a confirmation from Waterloo Residences with next steps.
Accepted to a University College Residence
Students in University College Residences will receive next steps directly from the colleges through email.
Get to know your options
Visit our residences page and check out your residence options. Now is the time to think about which residence you want to live in, the room styles, meal plan options, and if you'd like to connect with a roommate(s).
Complete the Waterloo Residences Preference Form
Form opens Thursday, June 14. Closes Thursday, June 21 at 11:59 p.m. EDT.
On this form you indicate your preferred roommate(s), residence, room style, and meal plan (if applicable).
Set up your UWaterloo email
Your residence room assignment offer and contract will be sent to your UWaterloo email address beginning the week of July 10.
Note: Offers will continue to be sent out to students throughout the summer. So if you don't get an assignment right away, no worries! You're still guaranteed a room in residence.
Room allocation
Our housing allocation process assigns you a number and then places you in a room assignment based on your residence preferences, roommate groups, and personality traits. This process may run several times until we maximize the number of students in one of their top choices. Learn more about how we assign rooms.
Accept your residence contract offer
Be sure to accept your offer before the expiry date! If you do not accept your residence offer by the deadline you will lose your $500 deposit and your room assignment.
Prepare to arrive
Visit our move-in page to find out your move-in day, locations to pick up your keys, and download directional maps to find your way home.
Get connected with us
Get excited! Follow us on our social channels to get a glimpse into what's to come. Check out videos or even tune in to our Spotify playlist as you make your way to your new home.
Checklists & Printable swag
Wondering what to bring? Check out our packing list. Start thinking about decorating your room - check out our printable swag!
Contact us
If you have any questions, need assistance or would like to apply for first-year residence, please contact us:
Facebook Messenger: https://www.facebook.com/uwhousing
Phone: 519-888-4567, ext. 32679
Fax: 519-746-8152.
Email: housing@uwaterloo.ca
We are open Monday - Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. EDT, and are happy to advise you on next steps.
