Frequently Asked Questions

The following questions are a sampling of Frequently Asked Questions received by the Housing Office. 

Looking for Fall 2020 and COVID-19 FAQ? Check out our COVID-19 FAQ page

These questions are general in nature and are applicable to Housing License Agreement terms. In some instances the response is tailored to the academic year contract.

There are three factors to calculating your Housing cost:

  • Room Type
  • Meal Plan
  • Payment Plan Option

Once these have been selected, simply add the cost together and that will be your total cost for Housing. If you are anticipating receiving Financial Aid, or if you have questions about calculating your total housing cost, you can make an appointment with our Student Accounts Specialist to go over costs and see what options may be the best for your budget!

For full descriptions of Living Learning Communities, Themed Communities, and room types as well as sample floor plans, visit the Explore Housing page.

Freshman residents are matched to a roommate and assigned to a room by Housing and Residential Life.  This is done by using the rooommate profile completed in the housing application, as well as looking at the preferred room type.

Upperclass residents may self-select their roommates and/or room through the self-select system.  This system enables you to search for a specific roommate. Only individuals who have a completed housing application will appear on the roommate select screen.

A complete housing application is considered to be the submission of a deposit, the financial guarantor/co-signer form (if required), and the completion of the online application.

You will receive a confirmation email once your online housing application is complete. Then, you will receive a second email once all three application steps are done: completing the application, paying your deposit or submitting a Deposit Deferral Form, and submitting your Financial Guarantor form if necessary. Finally, you will receive another email providing either your roommate and room information (freshman residents) or your assigned lottery time (upper-class).

For freshman residents, assignment to a room and roommates is based on the following criteria:   roommate profile information provided in the housing application, availability of preferred room type, and application completion date. 

For upper-class residents, lottery placement is based on the date and time Housing processed a complete application.

Yes, but you will need to know your MyStanState ID and password. You may access information about this at the MyStanState homepage.

Yes, you may schedule a tour by visiting the Take a Tour page. For a full-campus tour, contact Campus Tours at (209) 667-3811.

Graduating seniors and single-term international students are the only residents who may enter fall only contracts. Students who wish to move in at winter term must enter a winter/spring contract. Students who wish to move in at spring must enter a spring contract.

Fish are the only animals allowed in rooms, suites, or apartments. Aquariums may not exceed 5 gallons in size. All other pets are prohibited, including, but not limited to, dogs, cats, reptiles, amphibians, rodents, birds, insects, or any other domesticated animal. Non-domesticated species and/or breeds of animals are prohibited.

University Approved Animals: Special accommodations will be made for residents with a documented disability which requires a service animal or emotional support animal. Prearrangements with the campus Disability Resource Services Office, as well as University Housing, are required. Students are required to provide proof of vaccinations prior to the arrival of the animal. Students may not bring the animal into Housing until they have received written approval from the Housing office and signed the Service Animal or Emotional Support Animal Agreement. Students are liable for any damages caused by the animal to any Housing and Residential Life property. 

Yes, but overnight nights must be registered in advance and comply with the Housing Administrative Policies and Regulations. The length of stay for overnight guests, including housing residents assigned to other suites/apartments or family members, cannot exceed three consecutive nights in a month.  Residents are limited to having nine overnight guests per semester. Overnight guests are to be temporary and infrequent. Cohabitation is not permitted. Consult the Housing Administrative Policies and Regulations for additional information.

It is not required, but it is recommended. The University is not liable, directly or indirectly, for the personal property of residents and guests due to loss by theft, damage by fire, damage by water, or any other cause. Residents are encouraged to purchase personal insurance, such as a renter’s policy, to cover such incidents.

Yes, we have a large parking lot in close proximity to the housing facility. Parking permits are not included in the cost of housing. Residents may purchase their parking permits online. You will need to print your receipt and display it on the dash of your car while you wait for your official permit, which will be mailed to the address you indicated while purchasing your permit. 

There are also economy parking permits available for purchase with a limited number of economy-designated spaces located in the parking lot adjacent to the Student Housing Complex.

Permits must be displayed at all times.  You can display your receipt for up to 7 days while you wait for your official permit to arrive.  Cars illegally parked will be cited.

Your Housing License agreement is binding for the entire selected contract term. Requests to cancel an agreement generally fall within two categories: automatic cancellation or non-automatic cancellation. Both of these categories require 30 day written notification via Request for Cancellation form to Housing and Residential Life, during which time the petition will be reviewed and based upon verification either approved or denied.

Grounds for cancellation generally include the following four circumstances:

1. Withdrawal/transfer from CSUS   
2. Non-enrollment in two or more consecutive academic terms within the contract period   
3. Marriage   
4. Extreme hardship

Students are responsible for the balance of the housing payments and any other charge on their University Student Account that is not covered and paid by your financial aid disbursement. Subject to space availability you can request to be moved into a less expensive type of on-campus housing either before or after check-in.

Students must use the storage space provided in their bedrooms and must reach an agreement with their roommates about storage in common living areas. Housing and Residential Life does not have the ability to store furniture or personal belongings.

Depending on the time of year and availability of space, early check-in may be possible. Residents must submit a Request for Early Check-In in order to be considered. In general, early check-in is available to athletes, International students, out-of-state students, elected and appointed student leaders, and foster youth in the Promise Scholars Program. Residents approved for early check-in may be assessed a nightly fee.

The only residents considered for late check-out are graduating seniors, students serving as standard bearers in Commencement, or students performing with the Commencement music ensemble. Residents must submit a Request for Late Check-Out by the specified deadline in order to be considered. Residents approved for late check-out may be assessed a nightly fee.

You do not have to move out for the Thanksgiving holiday or spring break, but Housing and Residential Life does shut down for the winter holiday break between the dates of December 20, 2019-December 31, 2019. With the exception of residents on a Year Round Housing Contract, these dates are not part of the Academic Year Housing Contract and no resident is permitted to reside in their assigned living quarters on these dates. Residents can Pay to Stay by contacting the Housing Office prior to the winter break. 

A resident, 21 years of age or older may possess alcohol, consume and store alcoholic beverages within his or her assigned bedroom. If all residents of the unit are over the age of 21 alcoholic beverages may possess, consume and store alcohol in the common living area of the apartment. No person under the age of 21 may have alcohol within the premises of their bedroom, suite or apartment.

Residents may not possess or consume alcoholic beverages within public areas of the housing facility. This includes the pools and outdoor recreational areas. Residents should consult the Housing Administrative Policies and Regulations for additional information about policies and procedures which govern the presence of alcoholic beverages within the residential community.

Stanislaus State is a Smoke and Tobacco-Free campus.  As such no smoking or use of tobacco products is permitted on university grounds, including the student housing complex.  

Housing and Residential Life has a zero-tolerance of the use or possession of illegal drugs. Residents found to be in possession or using illegal substances are referred to the University Office of Judicial Affairs and are subject to eviction. In such instances residents remain responsible for the cost of housing through their contract term.

Stanislaus State is a Drug and Alcohol-Free Campus in compliance with Federal law.  As such no marijuana is permitted on campus, including University Housing.

Housing charges are posted in the fall and spring. Fall charges include all of the fall term plus 1/2 of winter housing fees. Spring charges include the other 1/2 of winter charges plus all of spring. Residents can view their balances for each term online through their MyStanState account. Separate charges will appear for housing rent and meal plans.

Financial Aid refunds are processed by the Student Financial Services Office. It generally takes 2-3 weeks for a refund to be processed after a Financial Aid disbursement is made. Financial Aid disbursements occur on a schedule and are authorized by the Financial Aid Office.

Financial Aid funds (loans, grants, and scholarships) are applied to all charges and fees due to the University with the remaining funds then released directly to the student. University tuition and fees include: tuition and fees, meal plan, housing rent, New Student Orientation, lab fees, etc.

Housing and Residential Life will issue damage notice letters to residents within the first two weeks of June. These notices will be emailed to each resident's university email account.

There will be a 2-week appeal process. All appeals should be submitted to Lili Jimenez by the resident.  Appeals submitted by other parties will not be considered.

At the conclusion of the appeal process, all damages will be final and Financial Services will issue refunds. This will occur in late July/early August.

Security deposits will be refunded through 2 mechanisms: Electronic funds transfers (EFT) - If you are receiving financial aid your refund will be by EFT - or Check - all other residents will receive a check mailed to the permanent address on file with the university.

Note: Your permanent address may not be the same as the mail forwarding address you filed with Housing and Residential Life upon check-out.

Yes, meal plans are mandatory for all residents. Annual meal plans are allocated by term. Meal plan funds roll between terms, but not between academic years unless a resident contract to live on campus concurrent years. In this case, a resident may roll up to 10% of prior year's unused meal plan funds to the subsequent contract year.

When selecting a meal plan we recommend that you consider how many meals a day you think you will eat.  Meals typically cost between $8-$12, so looking at the meal plan daily rate gives you an idea of what plan option might work best for you.

Dining service begins on Move-In Day. For Spring Only contracts, Dining services begin January 1.  

University ID cards function as a campus dining card and will be needed before a resident can purchase food at any campus dining location.

Students who wish to add additional dollars to their card or learn more about the uses of their Warrior Card may do so by visiting the Warrior Card website. There, you can check your meal plan balance and add funds to your card. If you share your card number with someone such as a family member, they can also add funds for you. 

That's simple: during the operating hours of any Campus Dining facility, from the Village Cafe to Stan's Choice and everywhere in between. 

Updated: August 13, 2023