Frequently Asked Questions

 

Who is eligible to live in University Graduate Student Housing?
All graduate students who are enrolled full-time at the University of Chicago are eligible to live in Graduate Student Housing. As defined in the Student Manualof University Policies and Regulations, full-time status is “accorded to all students enrolled who undertake an academic workload consisting of any combination of courses, work experience, research, or special studies that is considered a full-time workload.”

Full-time graduate students may request housing for themselves and their dependents. A dependent is defined as a spouse, a registered domestic partner, and/or dependent children.

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When should I apply for housing?
You may apply for housing after you have been accepted into the University. Applications are processed in the order of the date they are received; you should submit your application as early as possible.

Students who have been admitted to full-time graduate programs may request to move in one quarter prior to enrollment. For instance, students who will begin classes in the Fall Quarter may request to move in during the Summer Quarter.

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How do I apply for housing?
Complete an online or printableapplication:
  1. Fill out the entire application form, including your preferences.
  2. Submit the completed application with a $300 deposit payable to the University of Chicago using a check, money order, or electronic payment. Your application cannot be processed until both the application form and deposit have been received by our office.
  3. The receipt of your application will be acknowledged via email; please be sure to include your email address on the application.

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Is short-term housing available?
Short-term housing is available for University affiliates who qualify for Graduate Student Housing and require housing for less than one quarter and a minimum of one month. Please note that there is a 10% rent increase for short-term housing.

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Can I apply without a student ID number?
You may apply before you receive your student ID number, but you must provide either your student ID number or a copy of your University letter of acceptance prior to accepting an apartment.

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Is the deposit refundable?
Yes, the deposit is refundable if you have not accepted an apartment assignment. You must make a request in writing (within one year of the application date) to withdraw the application and receive a refund for your deposit; include your home mailing address on your request. It may take two to four weeks to process the refund check.

If you sign a lease for one of our apartments, the deposit is applied to the first month’s rent after you move in.

If you have accepted an apartment and subsequently do not move into Graduate Student Housing, the deposit is forfeited.

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How do I request to live in a specific building?
On the application, you may note the building number(s) or any other feature(s) in which you are interested under Specific Requests. Please note that while we try to assign you to an apartment that meets your request(s), we are limited by the specific apartments available at the time your assignment is made.

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Can I share an apartment with someone?
Two single students can share a furnished two-bedroom apartment in buildings 18, 20, 25, 26, and 28. (See chart) Unfurnished two or three-bedroom apartments are reserved for families with children.

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Are pets allowed?
Certain buildings, generally those that are not furnished or carpeted, allow a maximum of two pets. Please understand that you will be subject to the Pet Policy. Pets are allowed in buildings 1, 2, 3, 14, 15, 16, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, and 29. (See chart)

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Which buildings are in the Ray School district?
Buildings 14, 16, 17, 18, 30, and 31 are located in the Ray School district. See chartfor building address and features.

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What is included in a furnished studio apartment?
Most furnished studios have a futon that folds down to a full size bed*, dresser, desk, chair, one bookcase, lamps, end table, coffee table, dinette set (with at least two chairs), stove, refrigerator, and window shades. There are no dishes, linens, pots, or pans. Mattresses are sanitized and new mattress covers are provided. Furnishings may vary according to the size of the apartment.

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What is included in a furnished one-bedroom apartment?
Most furnished one-bedroom apartments have a full size bed*, dresser, nightstand, lamps, sofa, end tables, coffee table, desk, chair, bookcase, kitchen table and chairs, stove, refrigerator, and window shades. There are no dishes, linens, pots, or pans. Mattresses are sanitized and new mattress covers are provided. Furnishings may vary according to the size of the apartment.

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What is included in a furnished, shared two-bedroom apartment?
In most apartments, each bedroom has an extra long twin bed*, dresser, and nightstand. Most apartments also include a sofa, end tables, coffee table, two desks, two chairs, two bookcases, lamps, kitchen table and chairs, stove, refrigerator, and window shades. There are no dishes, linens, pots, or pans. Mattresses are sanitized and new mattress covers are provided. Furnishings may vary according to the size of the apartment.

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What is included in an unfurnished apartment?
Unfurnished apartments include a stove, refrigerator, and window shades.

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When will I receive an assignment?
Most assignments are made about one month prior to the move-in date requested on your application. However, the time frame may vary due to many factors involved in making assignments (apartment availability, demand for housing, the move-in date requested, etc.). You have one week to respond to the assignment (accept the assignment, ask to be reassigned, or request to have your application withdrawn and your deposit refunded).

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What should I do if I cannot email my acceptance form back?
The acceptance form can be emailed, faxed, or mailed. If you cannot send the acceptance form by the deadline, call or email Residential Services to accept or cancel your assignment and mail in the signed form.

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How do I apply for parking?
If you are assigned to a building that has a parking lot, a parking application will be included with your assignment letter. You may only apply for parking after you have accepted your assignment; please complete the parking application and return it with your acceptance. Submitting an application for parking does not guarantee you a parking space; you will be placed on a waiting list and contacted once a parking space becomes available. If you would like to apply for Campus Parking, please contact the parking office.

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When do I sign the lease?
After accepting your apartment assignment and providing either your student ID number or a copy of your University letter of acceptance, the lease and move-in documents will be emailed to you and you will have one week to return the completed documents.

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Where can I get directions to the University of Chicago?
Directionsto the University of Chicago are available online. For automated telephone directions, please call 773.702.1234 extension 5.8008.

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When can I move in?
You may request to move in on any business day (Monday through Friday, closed on national holidays) during the hours of 8:30am to noon and 1:00pm to 5:00 pm. The move-in date you request should be the date you would like to obtain the keys to the apartment, please plan accordingly.

The move-in date does not have to be September 1st or the first day of any month; the rent will be prorated from the move-in date until the end of the first month of occupancy. You can choose to move in one quarter before your classes begin.

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What should I know about moving in?
The apartment will be available and your rent charge will begin on your move-in date. On that date, you will need to go to Residential Services (located at 5555 S. Ellis Avenue) during office hours to obtain your move-in folder and pick up the key request form to give to the janitor. The first month’s rent minus the $300 deposit is due at move-in.

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When is the rent due?
The rent is due and payable by the first day of each month. You will not receive a monthly bill or an email reminder. For the address to send rent payments, click here. Rent payments can be conveniently paid online using NetPay.

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How do I set up utilities?
You will be provided with contact information for Peoples Gas, ComEd, AT&T, and Comcast when your lease is emailed to you.

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How do I set up internet service?
Internet service is available through service providers such as AT&T and Comcast. Contact information will be provided in your move-in documents. It is best to wait until after move-in to set up any services.

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When can I transfer to another Graduate Student Housing apartment?
We require that you live in your apartment for at least one academic year before submitting a transfer request. For transfers, DO NOT APPLY ONLINE OR SUBMIT A DEPOSIT. You will need to complete a Transfer Application and bring it to Residential Services located at 5555 S. Ellis Avenue Room 108 to check apartment availability. Submitting a Transfer Application does not obligate you to move.
Once you have selected a new apartment, you will be required to pay a $200 transfer fee before an assignment can be made. Transfers are not allowed in August or September.

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*U.S. Bed sizes:

Mattresses are sanitized and new mattress covers are provided.

 


The University of Chicago does not guarantee the accuracy of any information available on this site, and is not responsible for any errors, omissions, or misrepresentations. Product information including availability, features, floor plans and rent ranges are subject to change without prior notice and should be verified independently with the respective management office.
© 2009 The University of Chicago.

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