Fall 2025 Ontario Secondary School Applicants
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the residence application open for Fall 2025?
The Fall 2025 residence application will open February 1, 2025. The application for Winter 2025 residence will open October 1, 2024 for new applicants only.
How does the residence guarantee work?
Residence offers are extended first to the following student groups:
- Ontario Secondary School students who receive an offer of admission to the University of Guelph on or before March 1, 2025, and complete their residence application* on or before April 15, 2025.
- International and out-of-province students who receive an offer of admission to the University of Guelph and complete their residence application* on or before June 2, 2025.
- Students who deferred an offer of admission for the 2024-25 academic yearn who were on the residence waitlist at time of deferral and complete their residence application* on or before June 2, 2025.
How does the residence lottery work?
Once a student successfully completes the residence application (which includes the $750 application deposit), they are assigned a computer-generated random priority number.
Student Housing will establish a threshold of available residence spaces. Applicants who have a lottery number below the threshold with be sent an offer of residence.
Applicants who have a lottery number above the threshold will be placed on a waiting list based on their lottery number.
How does the residence waitlist work?
The residence wait list is established using on a computer-generated, random lottery number for students who meet the June 2, 2025 residence deadline.
For students who apply for residence after June 2, 2025, applicants will be added to the waitlist based on the date and time of submission of the completed residence application and $750 application deposit.
When and how will Ontario Secondary School students know if they have a spot in residence if they do not get an offer of admission before March 1?
Beginning on May 1 and up to June 1, Ontario Secondary School students who submit a completed residence application will be informed if they have a spot in residence by email within 48 hours, or if they will be added to a residence waiting list.
What happens if I receive an offer of admission before March 1, but want to change my program choice after March 1? Am I still guaranteed a spot in residence?
Yes. As long as a student has an offer of admission to any program, the residence guarantee will honoured, as long as the residence application and application deposit are completed by April 15, 2025.
What is the residence deposit refund policy?
Ontario Secondary School applicants who submit a completed residence application, with $750 application deposit by April 15, 2025, and who subsequently cancels their residence application prior to June 2, 2025, will receive a full refund of their deposit.
All other residence application deposits are non-refundable. (Some exceptions may apply, such as approved deferrals and revoked or rescinded offers.)
How are room assignments made?
All students who receive a space in residence by June 2, 2025, will be included in a separate random lottery priority process for the purpose of room assignments.
I have accessibility-related circumstances that require me to be in residence. What can I do to ensure I receive an offer or consideration during the room assignment process?
Students with medical or accessibility circumstances that require additional consideration must submit the Accommodation Request Form by June 2, 2025, 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.
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.
