UCLA Housing Contract: A Comprehensive Guide

Securing housing at UCLA is a significant step for students. This guide provides detailed information about the UCLA housing contract, covering everything from accepting offers to payment options and potential contract termination.

Accessing Housing Applications and Offers

To begin, students need their UCLA Logon ID and password to access the Housing StarRez portal. This portal serves as the central hub for housing applications, managing preferences, and accepting offers. Several helpful walkthrough guides are available, including:

Undergraduate Housing Roommate Group Walkthrough (PDF)
Undergraduate Application Walkthrough (PDF)
Undergraduate Offer Walkthrough (PDF)

Accepting a Housing Offer

After logging into the housing portal, students should select "Application" from the menu bar and proceed with the appropriate academic year term (e.g., 2025-2026 Undergraduate Academic Year). The housing offer specifies the building and room type. Students are also required to select a meal plan at this stage.

The process involves signing the contract and completing the initial payment (if applicable) via a payment portal. The offer acceptance is finalized upon reaching the Application Status page.

Initial Payment Eligibility

Whether an initial payment is required depends on the student's FAFSA status and Student Aid Index (SAI). A $500 initial payment is required if:

A FAFSA has not been submitted.
FAFSA processing is delayed.
The Student Aid Index (SAI) is greater than 10,000.

This initial payment is not an additional fee but is applied toward the Fall quarter installment.

Making the Initial Payment

After signing the contract, students are redirected to a payment site to complete the initial payment. After payment, it's crucial to return to the housing portal and click "Complete Offer Acceptance."

Payment Issues for International Students

Some international MasterCards may not be compatible with the payment system. In such cases, using a Visa, Discover, or American Express card is recommended. Contacting the bank or using a different payment method may also resolve the issue. Wire transfers are not accepted for the initial housing payment.

Credit Card Declined Multiple Times

If a credit card is declined multiple times, the system may interpret it as fraud and disable the credit card option.

Payment Options and Schedules

Students will have an initial payment due at the time of their offer acceptance. The remaining housing contract charges are billed quarterly, aligning with tuition due dates. Payments are made via the student’s BruinBill account.

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Forms of Payment

Payments for the initial and future housing installments are made through the BruinBill account. While payments made with VISA, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express incur a 2.75% transaction fee, the eCheck option allows for free payments directly from a bank account.

Meal Plan Options for On-Campus Housing Residents

UCLA offers a variety of meal plan options to suit different eating habits and schedules:

19 Premier: This flexible plan offers a set number of meals at the beginning of each academic quarter. Unused meals carry over from week to week and can be used at any time during the quarter. All meals must be used by the end of the quarter.
19 Regular: A cost-effective plan designed for students who eat in the residential dining facilities most of the time. It provides for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Monday through Friday, as well as brunch and dinner on Saturday and Sunday. Meals not eaten during the week cannot be accumulated or saved. Only one entry per designated meal period is allowed.
14 Premier: Similar flexibility to the 19 Premier, but designed for residents who often go home on weekends or skip breakfast. The carry-over privilege applies.
14 Regular: Provides 14 meals per week. Meals that are not eaten during the week cannot be accumulated or saved. Only one entry per designated meal period is allowed.
11 Premier: Offers the same flexibility as the 19 Premier and 14 Premier, designed for residents who eat only one or two meals per day. The carry-over privilege applies.
11 Regular: The most basic plan for students who are not on campus during weekends or who eat only one or two meals a day. Meals that are not eaten during the week cannot be accumulated or saved. Only one entry per designated meal period is allowed.

Change of Assignment Request (CAR)

After accepting the housing offer, students can submit a Change of Assignment Request (CAR) online through MyHousing. CARs are subject to space availability and are not guaranteed. While requests to change to a double room are possible, availability is limited.

Gender Inclusive Housing

Students who selected gender inclusive housing in their application will be assigned with other students who also requested it. Gender is not a factor in roommate assignments, meaning roommates may have different gender identities.

Opting Out of Gender Inclusive Housing

Students can opt out of gender inclusive housing after accepting their housing offer via the "Manage Your Housing" option on the housing portal. While Housing Services tries to maintain the same building and/or room type, opting out may result in a change to the housing offer and potentially increase contract costs.

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Roommate Requests

If two students have been offered the same building and room type, they can mutually request each other on the housing application. If they have been offered different buildings or room types, a Change of Assignment Request must be submitted to attempt to move into the same building/room type.

Accommodations and Appeals

Students who have submitted an appeal for accommodations to the Center for Accessible Education (CAE) should still accept their current housing offer. Housing Services will modify the assignment if an accommodation is subsequently approved by CAE.

Move-In Information

Move-In takes place over four days before the start of the academic year. For the 2025-2026 academic year, move-in is scheduled for Wednesday, September 17 - Saturday, September 20, 2025. Students will receive a specific date and time in late August, depending on their building.

Contract Renewal and Summer Extensions

All contracts and rental agreements end on July 1st each year. However, residents can renew their contract for the next academic year if they remain eligible and submit the required application.

Summer Contract Extensions

Students whose contracts end on July 1st but need to stay longer can request a summer contract extension until August 15th. While most summer extension requests are approved, Housing Services reserves the right to deny them. Approved requests will include additional information about payments and due dates.

Subleasing

Single Graduate Housing residents can sublease their units with prior approval from Housing if they need to be away for the summer or during the academic year. This allows them to maintain their contract and 3-year housing guarantee. However, residents in Student Family Housing may not sublease their units.

Terminating Your Contract

If a student wishes to terminate their housing contract after accepting the offer and making the initial payment, a request must be submitted via the housing portal.

Non-Discrimination Policy

The University of California does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, sex, physical or mental disability, medical condition, age, sexual orientation, citizenship, or service in the uniformed services. The University also prohibits sexual harassment. This policy covers admission, access, and treatment in University programs and activities.

Housing Payments

Housing payments are made to the tenant’s BruinBill account. Tenants must have an activated UCLA Logon and password to access My UCLA and their BruinBill account.

Important Dates

Move-In 2025-2026: September 17-20, 2025
Contract End Date: July 1st each year
Summer Contract Extension Request Deadline: August 15th

Graduate and Undergraduate Transfer Requests

During the academic year, students looking to move to a new room can submit a room swap and transfer request during each quarter’s Open Transfer period. Students residing in Graduate and Family housing are welcome to submit a transfer request after your contract start date.

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