FAQ
New UC San Diego students assigned a space in on-campus Residential Housing typically have many questions; click to download a comprehensive Question & Answer sheet from the Housing • Dining • Hospitality (HDH) Director, Mark Cunningham.
In addition, here are some of the most common questions:
THE APPLICATION PROCESS (NEW UNDERGRADUATES)
When should I apply for Housing?
You should apply for Housing online as soon as you receive your admit letter, usually mid- to late-March. There is no fee to apply and no penalty for declining your Housing offer, so we highly recommend you apply even before you decide to attend UC San Diego.
After applying online, am I done with the Housing process?
No. It is your responsibility to confirm that all deadlines are met, including submission of admissions SIR (Statement of Intent to Register) and payment. Confirm receipt of your Housing Contract & payment online at: http://myapplication.ucsd.edu. If you have a question regarding your Housing status, call 858.534.4010.
How do I accept my Housing offer?
Refer to the Important Deadlines section of the website for a checklist and deadlines.
What if I am admitted to UCSD after the May 1 Statement of Intent to Register deadline?
First-year students who submit their Housing Application after May 5, 2008 for any reason, including late admission or admission resulting from appeal, are not guaranteed campus Housing for Fall 2008 and forfeit the 2-year guarantee. However, we still encourage you to apply so that you will automatically be placed on our Wait List.
What happens if I miss a deadline?
Deadlines are firm and there are no exceptions. Be sure to apply well in advance. If you miss the Statement of Intent to Register or Housing Application deadlines, you will not receive the Housing Instructional E-mail.
What if I am a Winter Admitted first-year student?
Unfortunately, students admitted for Winter 2009 will not have a guarantee of campus housing due to the high demand and 100% occupancy expected for the Fall 2008.
We strongly encourage you to look at the UC San Diego Off-Campus Housing Office Web site. The office offers a full range of excellent services including near-by rentals and roommate matches.
What if I am a Transfer student?
Unfortunately, we can not guarantee Housing to incoming Transfer students. We highly recommend you apply for our Wait List to be considered for vacant space as it becomes available for Transfer students. First-year students and continuing students are given higher priority for available space.
How will I receive my e-mail with instructions?
In late-May, all eligible first-year students will be e-mailed instructions on how to access the Housing Contract information online. You will be directed to a website containing the Housing Contract, prepayment coupon, payment options, and steps to complete the process. Please keep in mind that you will not receive this e-mail if your Housing application is received after the May 5 Housing Application deadline or if you fail to submit your SIR by May 1.
What should I do if I don’t receive the Instructional e-mail?
Students who meet the May 5 Housing Application and the May 1 SIR deadline will receive an instructional e-mail at their UCSD e-mail account in late-May. It is your responsibility to contact Housing and Dining Administrative Services at 858.534.4010 if you have not received this instructional e-mail by June 8.
What if I am away from my UCSD e-mail account when the Housing e-mail is sent?
If you will be away from your UCSD e-mail account for any period of time, arrange for someone to open your e-mail and meet all deadlines for you.
What if I have a name or address change?
It is your responsibility to inform Housing and Dining Administrative Services as well as the Office of Admissions of name and/or address changes.
How is Housing assigned?
Your Housing assignment is determined by your Housing application date, college of registration, AND room type preference. All of these factors play a role in determining if you are placed in your college of registration, tripled, or wait-listed.
First-year students are housed in their college of registration whenever possible; however, enrollment fluctuations, college policies, and availability sometimes make it impossible. In these instances, students may be offered a Housing space elsewhere on campus.
Campus Housing demand is extremely high. As a result, we expect 65% of first-year students to live in a triple room. These spaces are outfitted with furniture appropriate for three students.
You will receive your specific room assignment details (roommate(s), building, floor, double, triple, or single room) sometime in early September from the Residential Life Office of the college where you will be housed.
How long will I be on the wait list?
Although vacancies may arise throughout the summer up until move-in day, if you have not been offered a space by early August, you should pursue off-campus Housing alternatives.
Is it possible to be released from my housing contract?
There is an appeals process; details of this can be downloaded here.
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ROOM ASSIGNMENT/ROOMMATES
When will I be notified of my room assignment and roommate(s)?
College Residential Life Offices send out a welcome letter in late August/early September with important move-in information including the link to access your room assignment, mailbox number, and roommate information online.
How are roommates assigned to first-year students?
Rooms are assigned by the Residential Life Office of each college. Students are matched based on their gender and preferences indicated on their Personal History Form. Date of application and college of registration also play a large role in your assignment.
What should I do if my friend and I want to room together?
If two students have the same college of registration they can request each other as roommates by e-mailing the residential life office of their college of registration by June 29. All requests must be mutual and are not guaranteed.
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MOVE-IN INFORMATION/WHAT TO BRING
When can I move in?
Your contract begins Saturday, September 20, 2008, but all information pertaining to move-in will be included in the welcome letter scheduled to be mailed late August/early September.
College Welcome Letters
The 6 UC San Diego Colleges Residential Life Offices sent out Welcome Letters at the end of August. Some were sent via email and some were mailed a welcome letter. Your Welcome Letter provides you with important information about move-in week, things to plan on and where you can check your room assignment and roommate information. Contact your College Residential Life Office with questions.
What should I bring?
Bring your own towels, pillow, bedding to fit an extra long twin bed (36" x 80") and a non-halogen desk lamp. You may also bring a telephone, stereo, television, fan, clock, computer, printer, power surge protector, and mini-vacuum. Once you receive your room assignment information in early September, it is a good idea to call your new roommates and discuss what each of you will bring. Click here for more information.
Can I bring a refrigerator or microwave?
Yes. You may want to bring your own mini refrigerator (one small refrigerator is allowed in each room). It must be smaller than five cubic feet and have a safe UL-approved electrical system. Microwaves may also be brought. Check with roommates to make sure you don’t duplicate items.
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HOUSING GUARANTEE
What is the Housing guarantee?
All new first-year students admitted to UC San Diego in Fall 2008 are eligible for guaranteed Housing space for two years. First-year students are defined as new students entering UCSD in the fall, directly from high school. To secure this Housing guarantee, all Admissions and Housing deadlines must be met.
How long is Housing guaranteed?
Two years is defined as six consecutive academic year quarters. You must continuously reside on campus for three consecutive academic year quarters. Moving off campus for any length of time other than quarter breaks, summer, or a UC San Diego-sponsored exchange program voids your Housing guarantee.
Regents Scholars, Jacobs School of Engineering Scholars and Chancellor’s Entering Freshmen Scholars who meet all first-year student deadlines are guaranteed twelve consecutive academic year quarters in campus Housing as long as they continue to meet scholarship and Housing guarantee criteria.
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AMENITIES/SERVICES
How can I get phone service?
You may want to consider cellular phone service for your primary line. Less than one third of our residents subscribe to a land line. If you would like to make arrangements for regular telephone service, local phone company representatives will be available during move-in weekend. If you want a phone and answering machine, be sure to bring them with you.
If I don’t bring a computer, am I at a disadvantage?
Having your own computer would be more convenient; however, computer labs are available throughout campus. Printing is also available. Please check with your Resident Advisor for information where computer labs are located.
Where can I do my laundry?
Washers and dryers are conveniently located in or near each residential Housing facility. Check with your specific college of residence for locations or visit http://hds.ucsd.edu/housing/laundry.asp for detailed information.
Will housekeeping clean my room?
All on-campus Housing facilities include some level of cleaning service each week. Cleaning is restricted to public areas including living rooms, dining rooms, bathrooms, and kitchens. Residents are responsible for the cleaning of their private sleeping areas. Vacuums are available at each Residential Life Office, but residents may consider bringing their own mini-vacuum.
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GENERAL QUESTIONS
Can I stay on campus during Winter or Spring Break?
Students are not allowed to stay in the residence halls during break. However, apartment residents may stay on campus during this time.
If parents come to visit, where can they stay?
La Jolla offers many hotels in the immediate area of campus. The Marriott, Radisson, and Hyatt have locations near the campus.
How can I get around campus?
Transportation and Parking Services offers numerous free campus shuttles to help students get around, both on and off campus. Please visit their website for more information.
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DINING PLAN
Can I change or cancel my dining plan?
No, our Housing and Dining is a comprehensive room and board program. The Dining Plan cannot be changed, dropped, refunded, or transferred to TritonPlus.
Can I purchase additional Dining Dollars?
You can purchase additional Dining Dollars at a bulk discount rate through the Dining Plan Administration Office with cash, check, or credit card. Parents may deposit funds in their student’s account; however, we recommend waiting until spending and eating patterns are established mid-year, since Dining Dollars are non-transferable, non-refundable, and may only be used at UC San Diego Dining Services locations.
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FINANCIAL/BILLING
How are Housing fees billed?
Residential Housing fees are separate from University Registration and Education Fees. Payments are due according to the deadlines shown on our rate schedule. The resident/guarantor should rely solely on this Rate Schedule for all dates, grace periods, and delinquency dates, whether or not these fees appear on the University Billing Statement. A separate Housing bill is not provided.
Where is my UCSD Student Billing Statement sent?
All statements will be emailed to your UCSD e-mail account. If you wish to have your bills mailed to an additional address, go to http://tritonlink.ucsd.edu/ and complete the change of billing address form.
Can I make Housing payments with a credit card?
At this time, we do not accept credit card payments. We do, however, offer convenient E-Check payments. Details follow below.
Can I pay for Housing fees online?
The University's website at http://tritonlink.ucsd.edu/ now offers electronic check (E-Check) as a payment option. E-Check provides real-time payment for all student fees. This form of payment is safe, secure, fast, and posted to the student's account immediately. There is a nominal 50¢ transaction fee for use of this service.
Do financial aid recipients need to pay the prepayment?
Yes, since financial aid is not disbursed until late September,
you are responsible for paying your Residential Housing prepayment from your own resources.
How do billing and payment due dates work?
All installments are due and payable by the last day of the
payment due date indicated on the e-statement. Fees and/or charges not paid by this date are considered delinquent and are subject to a $20 late charge.
Can financial aid be used to cover Housing payments?
Yes. The university applies your aid first to registration fees or past due amounts, second to Housing payments and third to any other outstanding payments that may be due.
Will my aid cover all college expenses?
No. Very few students receive enough aid to cover all expenses, so expect to cover some expenses yourself.
May I use loan money towards Housing?
Yes, but only after you receive a promissory note from your lender. Remember to check the EFT box on your application.
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To submit a question for the FAQ page, please email us.
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