Housing Procedures
Housing Contracts
All students begin with an application for Traditional (Fall-Spring) Housing, covering the full academic year. If you need to stay on campus during holiday breaks, such as over the winter or summer, you must apply separately. Each of these have different requirements and payment of the corresponding housing rates, ensuring you have a comfortable and secure place to stay year-round.
We accept applications on a rolling basis. However, all room assignments are made according to our availability at that time.
Fall-Spring Housing
The housing application is an agreement to reside on campus for the entire academic year (Fall & Spring). This includes minor holidays such as Fall Break, Thanksgiving Break, & Spring Break.
Move-in begins the Thursday (First-Year) & Friday (Upper-Level) before the First Day of School.
Move-out occurs when the halls close at 5PM the Day Before Spring Commencement (Graduation)
* Students who do not plan to return from Fall to Spring must checkout when the halls close in Fall, which is 5PM the Day Before Fall Commencement.
Winter Housing
The winter holiday is not covered in the traditional Fall-Spring housing contract and requires a separate application (cost per week). Students who do not apply for winter housing cannot reside within the residence halls during this time. However, they may keep their items within their assigned room over the break but will not have access to enter the premises.
Move-in is not applicable, as students reside in their assigned space.
Move-out is not applicable, unless the student has been approved for a Room Change Request in Spring.
Summer Housing
The summer term is not covered in the traditional Fall-Spring housing contract and requires a separate application (cost dependent on sessions selected). Students who do not apply for summer housing must schedule their departure checkout with their Resident Assistant by finals week. Students are required to be enrolled in either (a) summer courses OR (b) fall courses.
There are three types of summer housing to select in the application:
- Maymester: 3-wk term following Spring. Students are generally able to reside in spring assignment until move-in for Summer I.
- Summer I: 5-wk term following the Maymester. Students will be assigned to designated summer housing.
- Summer II: 5-wk term following Summer I. Students remain in designated summer housing.
** RLHO designates specific residence halls for summer housing. Students are able to select a double or single room in the application.
Holidays or Closures are when classes are not in session -- view schedule. Services are limited during this time.
Minor Holiday |
Major Holiday |
|
+ Considered a part of traditional academic year + Students have access to residence halls with no additional charge |
+ Not considered a part of traditional academic year + Students do not have access to their residence hall without an approved application (additional charge) |
|
Labor Day, Fall Break, Thanksgiving Break, |
Winter Break, Summer Break |
Account Changes
All requests can be located on the "homepage" of the StarRez Student Housing Portal.
Requests made outside our official timelines will not be processed.
Room Change Request
We host four opportunities to change your room during the academic year.
Requests are reviewed in the order received. While we make every effort to honor requests, changes are dependent upon availability.
Active Room Change Request Periods
- (Fall) June 1 – July 15
- (Fall) August – First week of classes
- (Spring) November
- (Spring) January – First week of classes
Meal Plan Change
Our department hosts two primary meal plan change request seasons.
Requests outside of the meal plan change request period will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis (not guaranteed).
Active Meal Plan Request Period
- (Fall) June 1 – Day Before 100% Drop Date
- (Spring) November 13 – Day Before 100% Drop Date
Housing Cancellation
If you wish you cancel your housing assignment, you may do so via our online cancellation form. Please note that cancellations made during the academic year, August - May, will result in a broken contact.
Effective for contracts received for the 2025-2026 academic year, the cancellation guidelines have been updated. Please review the following excerpt from the Housing Contract
Cancellation*: The Residence Life Housing Occupancy Contract may be cancelled prior to occupancy according to the refund schedule and process set out below.
Cancellation Guideline: Prior to Occupancy:
- On or before May 31st: 100% return of deposit
- Between June 1st and June 30th: 50% return of deposit
- On or after July 1st: Forfeiture of deposit
Cancellation: If I cancel this contract after occupancy, for reasons other than those stated below, I will be charged as outlined by the Cancellation Guidelines.
Approved Cancellation Reasons without fee*:
- Graduating from the University at the end of the fall semester.
- Leaving the University at the end of the fall semester due to being enrolled as an international/exchange student at
- Will be participating in a recognized UIW program outside of the San Antonio
- Leaving UIW after the exhaustion of NCAA eligibility.
- Called to active military duty.
- Withdrawing from the university
*To avoid cancellation fees, students must cancel their housing by December 1st. Failure to submit by this deadline will result in the forfeiture of the $225 housing deposit.
Cancellation Guidelines:
- Housing Charges: For cancellations after the 100% Drop Date, the student will be responsible for the full balance of their room charge
- Fee Schedule:
- During Fall Occupancy
- On or before 100% Drop Date: $500 cancellation fee, forfeiture of deposit, prorated refund based on departure.
- After 100% Drop Date to end of the 8th Week of classes: $1000 cancellation fee, forfeiture of deposit.
- During Fall Occupancy
- After start of 9th Week of classes until December 1st: $1500 cancellation fee, forfeiture of deposit.
- After December 1st and prior to the beginning of Spring 100% Drop Date: $2000 cancellation fee and forfeiture of deposit.
- During Spring Occupancy
- Responsible for full balance of room charge and forfeiture of deposit. There are no additional cancellation fees.
Room Reservation
About the Process
Room Reservation Information Sessions
- Monday, March 31st: 7:00pm | Library Auditorium
- Monday, March 31st: 8:00pm | Library Auditorium
- Tuesday, April 1st: 7:00pm | Library Auditorium
- Tuesday, April 1st: 8:00pm | Library Auditorium
- Monday, April 7th: 7:00pm | Library Auditorium
- Monday, April 7th: 8:00pm | Library Auditorium
- Tuesday, April 8th: 7:00pm | Library Auditorium
- Tuesday, April 8th: 8:00pm | Library Auditorium
The process for current students to reserve a room for the next academic year. Students must have an application on file to participate.
- Room Renewal -- Opportunity to reserve the same room.
- Room Selection -- Opportunity to reserve a different room.
** If you choose not to renew, you run the risk of NOT getting the room you want.
Timeline: Occurs Mid-April
- Week 1: Housing Application opens for current students
- Week 2: Room Renewal Begins & Ends
- Week 3: Room Selection Begins
Room Renewal
Opportunity to reserve the same room.
- Eligible to Renew: Avoca A/B/C/E, Hillside, McCombs, Joeris 2/3, St. Joseph, Township, Watson
- Cannot Renew: Agnese, Avoca D, Clement, Dubuis, Joeris 4/5, Sky View, & ADA + Athletic Transfer Spaces
** If you choose not to renew, you run the risk of NOT getting the room you want.
We encourage all returning students that are satisfied with their room but hoping for an upgrade (ex; single room) next year to complete the Room Renewal process and follow-up with a Room Change Request when it opens up. This is because we have highly desired rooms and therefore may run out quickly, leaving the possibility of not getting your same room next year (if you did not renew and went straight for selection).
Room Selection
Opportunity to reserve a different room.
- Dependent on availability after Room Renewal
- First come, first serve -- timeslot priorities
- Timeslots are generated based on class level & renewal eligibility
** If you chose not to renew, you run the risk of NOT getting the room you want.
Roommate Groups
Opportunity to match yourself with another student (in pairs) to be placed together.
- Only applies to a bedroom, not a suite. Maximum of 2 students per group.
- Students have the ability to leave or delete a roommate group, even after submission.
- Roommate groups cannot be used for single bedroom units
- Joeris, McCombs, St. Joseph's