For all other first-year students, if demand exceeds supply, a lottery system will be used to allocate spaces. Students will be advised by June 9, 2023, if they have received a space in residence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I guaranteed residence?
Your eligibility for an offer of residence is dependent on your classification as a student.
International students and Canadian students who reside outside of Ontario, who are attending the University of Guelph for the first time.
If you are coming to the University of Guelph for the first time as an International student or a Canadian citizen who resides outside of Ontario, you are guaranteed a spot in residence. To be eligible, you must apply and pay the $750 residence deposit by the deadline of June 1, 2023.
First-year students who reside in Ontario
Although the University of Guelph is confident that all first-year students will receive an offer of residence, first-year students who reside in Ontario are not guaranteed.
In the case where demand exceeds supply, a lottery system will be used to allocate spaces to all eligible first-year students who have applied and paid the $750 residence deposit by June 1, 2023. Students will be advised by June 9, 2023, if they have received a space in residence.
Transfer students
Transfer students within Ontario are not guaranteed residence, with offers being provided only after all eligible first-year students have received accommodation. Transfer students who apply and pay the $750 residence deposit by June 1, 2023, will be entered into a transfer student lottery and will receive a waitlist number or offer of residence (pending availability) by June 9, 2023.
You are encouraged to explore off-campus housing. For additional support and resources visit the Off-Campus Living Website.
Graduate students
Although limited spaces are available for graduate students in the Grad Houses and West Residence, applicants are not guaranteed an offer of residence. First-year graduate students who apply and pay the $750 residence deposit by June 1, 2023, will be entered into a graduate student lottery and will receive a waitlist number or offer of residence (pending availability) by June 9, 2023.
You are encouraged to explore off-campus housing. For additional support and resources visit the Off-Campus Living Website.
Upper-year students (domestic and international)
Upper-year undergraduate students, both domestic and international, are not guaranteed an offer of residence. Although you may apply and pay the deposit by June 1, 2023, to be entered into an upper-year lottery, offers will only be extended once all priority groups have received an offer of residence. You will receive an offer (pending availability) or waitlist number in mid-June after first-year housing offers are confirmed.
How will room assignments be completed?
Student Housing Services uses a lottery system to complete room assignments. All students with an offer of residence by June 9, 2023, will be included in the room assignment lottery. International students and those who reside outside of Ontario do not have an advantage in the room assignment lottery process.
Will my marks play any role in receiving an offer of residence?
The University of Guelph does not use grades as a decision factor for residence offers. This is done to ensure equitable access for all students who apply. Some exceptions apply to President’s Scholars.
Will you be using doubles as triples (or singles as doubles) again this year?
If residence applications exceed the number of spaces available, we may implement our expanded space strategy. Living accommodations are always reviewed to ensure they meet all health and safety requirements.
Expanded room types, including South Alcove Triples and East Village Doubles, can be requested on the Housing Application should these spaces be of interest to you.
I have accessibility-related circumstances that require me to live in residence. What can I do?
Students with medical or accessibility circumstances that require additional consideration must submit the Accommodation Request Form by June 1, 2023, to be reviewed by the Residence Admissions team.
Students with non-medical personal circumstances that may be eligible for exemption from the residence priority lottery should contact housing@uoguelph.ca.
Requests for additional consideration do not guarantee an offer of residence, except for very limited, exceptional circumstances when living off-campus would prevent access to post-secondary education.
What happens if I apply to residence after the June 1 deadline?
Late applications (first-year, international, upper-year, graduate, etc.) receive the lowest priority for residence and will be immediately placed on a waitlist if submitted after June 1, 2023. Your waitlist number is dependent on the date your application and deposit are received by Student Housing.
I have additional questions, who can I contact?
Additional questions related to residence priority may be directed to the Residence Admissions team by emailing housing@uoguelph.ca.
