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How to Read Your Offer: Undergraduate Housing

Congratulations on receiving your housing offer! We can’t wait for you to join our campus community.

If you’re still in the process of applying, head to our Housing Portal to finish your application. When your offer is ready, this page will guide you through what’s included in your housing offer, how to review it, and the next steps to secure your new home at UC Berkeley.

Click the links to jump directly to the section below.

What your housing offer includes

Building and room type: The residence hall or apartment you’ve been assigned to, and whether it’s a single, double, triple, etc.

Additional housing details: Any specific features of your assignment, such as a single-gender floor, ADA-accessible unit, or participation in a Theme Program.

Contract dates: The start and end dates of your housing contract. If you’re a new student participating in Golden Bear Orientation, your contract dates are not the same as your move-in dates. Move-in dates depend on your housing assignment and will be shared with you later in the summer.

Rate information: The rate of your assigned housing for the academic year. If you were offered a residence hall room, the rate information will also include the cost of the standard Blue and Gold meal plan.

Deadline date: The date by which you must accept your housing offer. If you do not accept by this date, your space will be forfeited and offered to another student. There is no guarantee you will receive a second offer. Please note that your financial aid package may change if you don’t accept your housing offer on time.

Abbreviations in your offer

If you see new or unfamiliar language in your housing offer, refer to the following list of abbreviations.

  • RH = Residence hall
  • Apt = Apartment
  • RH Apt = Apartment in Residence Hall Buildings
  • Std = Standard room – i.e., not in a suite, mini-suite, or apartment
  • Tpl = Triple – three people in the bedroom
  • Dbl = Double – two people in the bedroom
  • Sgl = Single – just yourself in the bedroom
  • Quad = Quadruple – four people in the bedroom

The occupancy designation refers to the bedroom. If you have been assigned to a quad room, you will have three roommates in your bedroom; if you have been assigned to a triple room, you will have two roommates in your bedroom; if you have been assigned to a double room, you will have one roommate in your bedroom. If your room is part of a suite or apartment, in most cases there will be additional occupants in other bedrooms.

Theme Program abbreviations:

How to accept your offer

Follow the steps below to accept your undergraduate housing offer. If you miss your deadline or do not respond to your offer, your application is moved to the end of the queue, and you are not guaranteed to receive another offer.

  1. Review your housing offer. When you receive your housing offer email, log in to the Housing Portal to view your offer and review your assignment details.
  2. Read the terms and conditions. Note: Once you accept your offered housing contract, you are financially responsible for the entirety of the housing contract.
  3. Choose a meal plan. Students with residence hall offers will have the option to upgrade their included meal plan. Students with apartment offers will have the option to add on a meal plan.
  4. Provide your online signature. Accepting your contract offer in the Housing Portal is the equivalent of signing a legal contract on paper. Students under 18 years old must also have a parent or legal guardian provide a signature.
  5. Complete all steps until you click “Finalize Acceptance” and see the Accepted page.
  6. Verify your confirmation email. If you have successfully accepted your housing offer, you will receive a confirmation email.

Please note that we are no longer collecting an advanced payment as part of the acceptance process.

Offers cannot be changed

Housing offers cannot be changed. If you prefer a different residence hall, accept your current offer by the deadline to reserve your space, then submit a Housing Relocation Request form found in your offer email to join the waiting list. Room relocations are not guaranteed.

How to decline your offer

Students receive one offer they can accept or decline. If you decline your housing offer:

  • Your financial aid package may be changed or reduced.
  • Your application will be cancelled and you will not receive another offer for that application period. 
  • You will need to arrange other housing.

While there is an option to resubmit your application in the housing portal after you decline, there is no guarantee you will receive a second offer. If you need assistance with resubmitting your application please email reshall@berkeley.edu.

To decline your undergraduate housing offer:

  1. Log in to the Housing Portal and view your housing offer.
  2. Select “Decline Offer” and complete all following steps.

How to apply for housing accommodations

To learn how to request an accommodation, visit Apply for Housing Accommodations. You must accept your current offer to be eligible for a room relocation accommodation. For additional questions, email housingaccommodations@berkeley.edu.

Cancellations and contract responsibility

Signing and accepting your housing offer online is a legally binding contract. Once accepted, you are financially responsible for the full academic year.

Visit Cancellation and Appeals to learn how to request to cancel your housing contract. Cancellations are only granted under specific circumstances, such as study abroad, graduation, or withdrawal. Read Terms, Conditions, and Agreements for full cancellation policies.

Don’t get stuck paying for two housing contracts

If you are considering off-campus housing, do not sign another lease until you have been officially released from your UC Berkeley Housing contract.

Your contract remains active until UC Berkeley Housing provides written confirmation of your cancellation. If you sign another lease before being released, you will be responsible for paying for both your on-campus and off-campus housing at the same time.