Fall term update: visit our COVID-19 Information website for more information.
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 Waterloo, residence is guaranteed for all incoming first-year students who sign a contract for two terms (fall/winter or fall/spring) by June 1. What do you need to do?
The Residence Community Ranking Form is now closed. Incoming first-year students that missed the 100% Guarantee that would like to live with us for the 2020/21 academic year can still apply for housing through the Fall 2020 Vacancy Application. We will assign incoming first-year students on the vacancy list to residences starting in August. Vacancy list students are not guaranteed a residence assignment, but we will try our best to assign as many as we can based on available space.
COVID-19 update for fall 2020: The housing deposit is typically non-refundable but if you are no longer able to come to campus, we will refund your $500 housing deposit. Please note that requesting a refund cancels your residence guarantee for two terms and you will lose guaranteed space on campus in the winter or spring. Failure to arrive in residence in the fall will result in the cancellation of your residence booking and your winter/spring accommodations. Your initial payment will be forfeited, and you will be held financially responsible for your full (both terms) residence fee. A deadline date to request this refund will be communicated once decided. As part of the residence contract, you are required to live in residence for the entire fall term in order to be continuing to have accommodations in the winter/spring.
Interested in Winter or Spring Only? Many students are asking if they can be guaranteed residence for winter only. A winter only guarantee is not an option currently. To guarantee winter housing all students must:
Please do not fill out the Residence Community Ranking Form if you do not plan to live in residence in the fall. There will be a separate non-guaranteed application process for first year students who are only interested in single term accommodation in winter or spring.
Download our printable checklist to stay on top of key dates, then apply below.
Congratulations on becoming a Waterloo Warrior!
Research the difference between Waterloo Residences, and the University College communities (St. Jerome's, St. Paul's and Renison). Check out available meal plans, Living-Learning Communities, and visit Bringing Waterloo to You for a digital experience.
The online form (RCRF) opens Saturday, February 1 and closes on Monday 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 a housing accommodation request, you must complete the Housing Disability Verification Form and submit it by the June 1 deadline.
To complete your form submission, you must make a $500 CAD deposit. Payments can be made online by credit card to ensure the deposit is received by the deadline.
Please note: The housing deposit is typically non-refundable but if you are no longer able to come to campus, we will refund your $500 housing deposit. Please note that requesting a refund cancels your residence guarantee for two terms and you will lose guaranteed space on campus in the winter or spring. Failure to arrive in residence in the fall will result in the cancellation of your residence booking and your winter/spring accommodations. Your initial payment will be forfeited, and you will be held financially responsible for your full (both terms) residence fee. A deadline date to request this refund will be communicated once decided. As part of the residence contract, you are required to live in residence for the entire fall term in order to be continuing to have accommodations in the winter/spring.Interested in Winter or Spring Only? Many students are asking if they can be guaranteed residence for winter only. A winter only guarantee is not an option currently. To guarantee winter housing all students must:
Please do not fill out the Residence Community Ranking Form if you do not plan to live in residence in the fall. There will be a separate non-guaranteed application process for first year students who are only interested in single term accommodation in winter or spring.
Check your email on Thursday, June 25 to find out which residence community (Waterloo Residences or the University Colleges) you will be joining. If you are in Waterloo Residences, you will receive a confirmation from Waterloo Residences with next steps.
Students in University College Residences will receive next steps directly from that University College through email by Thursday, June 25.
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 who you'd like to live with.
Want to live with a friend? You can! The preference form allows you to request to live with one roommate in any style residence. Read more about roommates and how rooms are assigned here.
Form opens Thursday, June 25. Closes Thursday, July 2 at 11:59 p.m. EDT.
The Waterloo Residence Preference Form allows you to indicate your preferences for building, room type, meal plan and roommate request.
Your residence room assignment offer and contract will be sent to your UWaterloo email address beginning the week of July 2.
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.
Our housing allocation process takes into consideration all the information shared with us through the Waterloo Residence Preference Form, including any accessibility needs, living-learning communities, and residence and roommate requests. This also includes the personal interest questions on the Waterloo Residences Preference Form. Learn more about how we assign rooms.
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. Note that we will be sending out room assignment offers and contracts throughout July and August. If you don’t get an offer immediately, don’t worry. Check your UWaterloo email account every few days to make sure you don’t miss the deadline.
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 excited! Follow our blog and social channels to get a glimpse into what's to come. Check out videos as you make your way to your new home.
Wondering what to bring? Check out our packing list. Start thinking about decorating your room with our printable swag!
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.
