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Frequently Asked Questions about Housing Selection

 
  1. What is Housing Selection (HS)?
Housing Selection is the process in which students sign up for housing for the 2010-2011 year. This process involves submitting an application, accepting an offer, and signing the licensing documents (including all financial paperwork, guarantor forms, and meningitis waivers).
  1. When does HS Begin/End?
The Housing Selection website starts accepting application on March 1st and the deadline for submitting an application for Walker is March 28th at midnight. The deadline for submitting a license to Walker Avenue Apartments is 10 pm.
  1. How does someone access the HS page? Once I log in, what do I do?
Students must go to http://www.umbc.edu/reslife/ then select “Apply for Housing”. The student will need to complete the Housing Application. If the student is eligible to live in Walker Avenue Apartments, the Walker Application will appear once the Housing Application is completed. Once the Students submits the Walker Application an offer will be issued through the Housing Selection website. The student will need to either accept or reject the offer. If they accept the offer they will be directed to the online license, which they must complete then print out the last page of the license to sign and return to the office with a $200 Reservation Fee.
  1. Who is exempt from the $200 Reservation Fee?
Current Walker Residents that renew with an Annual License do not have to pay the $200 Reservation Fee. Students coming from Residential Life, regardless of license type, that are expecting a Res Fee Roll over do not have to pay a Reservation Fee.
  1. What information does a person need to log into the HS page?
A student must have their UMBC ID # or username and their password if they are a current student at UMBC. If they are new to UMBC, they simply select the “Apply for Housing” link that is appropriate for the student’s status (i.e. “Prospective Transfer”). If a student does not know their UMBC username and/or password they should contact OIT.
  1. What if I cannot access the HS page?
If a student cannot access or log into the Housing Selection Page please contact Residential Life at 52591 or they may send an email to reslife@umbc.edu
  1. How do I pull someone in?
The student must complete the Housing Application. Once the Housing Application is completed, the student, if eligible will see the Walker Application, only the group leader should complete the Walker Application. When completing the Walker Application the student will be asked to select a group size. (Group sized 1 = only the person completing the application, 2 = person completing application plus one pull in, etc…) If the student selects a group size bigger than one, a screen will appear asking them to enter the person’s name. Pull ins should only complete the Housing Application, not the Walker Application. Once the group leader selects the person they wish to pull in an email will be sent to the pull in. The pull in will need to accept the invitation to be pulled in. Please note the pull in must have completed the Housing Application but not the Walker application in order to be pulled in by someone. We recommend that the group discuss who will be the group leader (the one to complete the Housing Application, Walker Application, selecting the group size and inviting pull ins. Every one in the group that is not the group leader should only complete the Housing Application and accept the group invite.
  1. The person I want to pull in is a commuter/transfer how do I proceed?
Commuters and transfers will not be able to be pulled in, in the traditional way (listed above). If a person wishes to request to pull in a transfer or commuter, they may list their request with the commuters/transfers name in the free form box on the Walker Application. We do not guarantee they will be able to pull the person in, since we are typically not able to offer commuters/transfers until around mid to late May.
  1. What if I do not want to pull someone in, how do I proceed?
The student should simply select a group size of one on the Walker Application.
  1. Does the group size mean the bedroom size?
The group size does not mean the bedroom size. The group size refers to the amount of people applying to live together.
  1. Can we create a group of 3?
Yes, students can create a group size of 3, it does not mean they are selecting a 3-bedroom apartment
  1. What do I do if I need to make changes, such as add/remove a pull in after I have submitted the application?
Once a student submits an application they are able to go back into the application and edit it. Changes to groups can be made prior to the group completing and submitting their group application. Once all members have accepted and the group application is submitted the group will need to contact Walker Avenue Apartments in writing via email, info@walkeravenueapts.com, with their request. It MUST be in writing.
  1. According to my Assignment Status Page, my status is “waitlisted”?
If a student has completed a Walker Application and submitted it by March 28th and it says their assignment status is waitlisted it means they have not been assigned yet. It does not mean they are on an actual waitlist and may not get housing, it simply means that they have not been offered an assignment yet.
  1. How and where do I make special request about rooms and assignments?
There is a free form field located in the Walker Application, students may enter any information they wish in this field.
  1. I am interested in Gender Neutral Housing, how do I apply?
On page 2 of the Walker Application, there is a Gender Neutral Housing request section. To request GN housing the student would select “Yes” as the answer to the question then type a brief statement about why they should be approved for GN Housing. A committee will then review the GN Applications, when a decision is made GN Applicants will be notified.
  1. When will I be notified if I have been accepted into GN Housing?
The Gender Neutral Housing Committee does not meet until Mid-April so it will not be before that date nor should it be later than late May.
  1. What is the timeline from applying to being offered and signing a license?
Once a student applies to live in Walker Avenue Apartments, the Licensing Coordinator will receive the information. Assignments will begin being made as early as March 10th and will continue to be made through March 31st. Once an assignment is made, the student will be able to go to their Housing Selection page and click on Assignment Status. On that page, they will be able to accept the offer or reject it. If they accept the offer, they should be directed towards the online license for Walker Avenue Apartments. If they reject the assignment, it is the students responsibility to apply to Residential Life if they want to live there. Residential Life’s deadlines for a signed contract are March 31st.
  1. How will I sign my license?
Once the student accepts the Walker Avenue Apartments Assignment, they will be directed towards the Online License for Walker Avenue Apartments. Students should read the license and check the “I accept/agree boxes” on the License. The last page of the license should be printed, signed, and submitted to the Walker Avenue Apartments Office with their $200 Reservation Fee. See Question 4 for exemption on Reservation Fees.
  1. What if I change my mind about living in WAA after I submit and application?
If a student changes his or her mind after submitting an application for Walker Avenue Apartments, he or she will need to wait until they receive an assignment. Once they receive an assignment they will need to reject the offer. Once they reject the offer it is the students responsibility to reapply for housing in Residential Life if they wish to live there.
  1. I am current student will I be able to retain my space? How do I increase my chance of retaining my space?
We always encourage residents to request to retain their space even though it is not a guarantee they will be able to retain. A student may increase their chances of retaining their space the closer they get to filling the apartment. This means a person pulling in 3 people to their 4-bedroom apartment would have a higher likelihood of retaining their space than a single person requesting to retain their space. Current Residents in Stacks 1-4 are in a different situation.
  1. I am a current student in stacks 1-4 do I get first priority on a new place to live since I am being displaced? What are my chances of getting what I asked for?
Students requesting to retain a space in Stacks 1-4 will not be able to do so unless they opt to have an Academic License, in this case the same guidelines discussed in the previous answer are applicable. Residents in Stacks 1-4 that wish to retain with Annual Licenses will not be able to. They will be given priority above all other room change request in Walker due to their special situation.
  1. When will roommate letters go out?
Roommate Letters are anticipated to go out in late April to mid-May; updates to the roommates will be sent out as needed.
  1. What priority is given to Current Residents? When does that priority end?
Current Residents get the top priority regarding their living arrangements in Walker Avenue Apartments. Residents retaining are first priority, then Stacks 1-4 Residents, then Residents requesting to change rooms. This priority is contingent on the application being submitted prior to March 14th.
  1. What priority is given to RL Residents? When does that end?
Students that currently live in Residential Life are second priority. This priority is contingent on applications being submitted prior to March 28th.
  1. What priority is given to Grad students? When does that end?
Graduate Students have a constant priority that runs parallel to Residential Life priority. Their Priority ends two weeks before school starts. Their priority may be confined to the Graduate Stack.
  1. What additional information will be needed from Graduate Students?
Graduate Students should submit proof they are a Graduate Student (example: Acceptance Letter) when they submit their License.
  1. What are the priority levels for transfers and commuters?
Transfers are 3rd priority, C/D Commuters are 4th, A/B Commuters are 5th. When we are allowed to offer these populations, we offer in the same order as priority level. Within each group is first come first serve.
  1. When are transfer and commuter students offered housing in Walker?
We do not know the dates that we will be able to offer transfer and commuters; however we do want to keep the prospect cards of transfers/commuters that have contacted us, so that when we can offer we can contact them. Residential Life is in charge of when we are able to offer to this population.
  1. Who do I contact if I am having technical problems with HS?
Students should send an email to reslife@umbc.edu. The email should contain screenshots to show the problem as well as an explanation of the problem. Please ensure to document the students name and problem on the spreadsheet provided.
  1. Can you tell me if my application has been received?
Students can check the status of their application by looking at their Housing Selection Page
  1. What paperwork must be completed for me to ensure housing with WAA?
The Housing Application and the Walker Application must be submitted prior to March 28th. The offer must be accepted by the student prior to March 31st. The last page of the license must be signed and submitted to the Walker Avenue Apartments Management Office and they must pay a $200 Reservation Fee (see section 4 for exemptions to Reservation Fee). In addition to that all students must submit a Meningitis waiver, installment plan (if applicable), Financial Aid Deferment Request Form (if applicable), A notarized Guarantor Form, and a Financial Aid Verification Form. The Guarantor Form and Financial Aid Verification form may be turned in later if necessary, but must be prior to move in.
  1. How do I pay for Walker Avenue Apartments?
Walker is financially separate from UMBC so charges will not occur on the student’s university account. Walker has three payment options: Default, Installments (8 or 12 payments depending on license type), or Financial Aid Deferment. Students choosing the Default plan do not have to complete any additional paperwork. Students opting to use the Financial Aid or Installment plan must submit applicable paperwork
 
  

 

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