Frequently Asked Questions

Move-In / Move-out Related

• What day is move-in?

  Move-in day at the UVA is Friday, August 24, 2018 and Saturday, August 25, 2018 at The QUAD. Residents will receive more information regarding move-in day, such as roommates and what time to arrive in August. Please see the Housing Checklist for exact dates and deadlines.

• What day is move-out?

  For Spring 2018, move out is May 20, 2018. The move out date for Spring 2019 is May 19, 2019. All residents must be moved out with all keys returned and apartment cleaned no later than 12PM (noon). More details regarding move out are provided via email to the resident's email in Spring.

• Should I bring a handcart or do you provide them on move-in day?

  The QUAD and UVA will be providing push carts for move-in day. There will be a limited amount, so we recommend bringing your own if you have one just in case if there isn't one immediately available when you arrive. An ID is required to check out a cart.
  

• I want to bring my own furniture. Is that allowed?

  The QUAD and UVA does not restrict residents from bringing additional furniture items, however, existing furniture cannot be removed from apartments. If you are bringing additional furniture, make sure you have enough room for all of your belongings. Also, it is encouraged to discuss any furniture purchases or thoughts on bringing additional furniture with your roommates. Remember, you all have to share the space.

• I can't arrive on move-in day at my assigned time. Is it alright if I move-in later?

  Yes, you can arrive anytime after 6PM on your assigned move in date. Just email us at uva@csusm.edu or quad@csusm.edu to let us know so we know when to expect you.

• I haven't received my roommate information yet. What should I do?

  Roommate information is sent out via email to the email address provided during the application process on August 1, 2018 to all residents who have reserved housing. If you've already selected all of your roommates in RoomSync, then you already know who you're living with! Roommate requests are not always guaranteed due to floor plan and gender constrictions. To increase your chances, we recommend residents selecting ALL of their roommates. If you have used an email address through your high school for your Housing application, please email us to update your email address.

• What do I need to bring?

  We have a list of suggested items to bring, however, it is recommended to speak with all roommates to coordinate who is going to bring what so you don't show up on move-in day with five toasters and three vacuums. Both properties do have the Paw Print printing system, so purchasing and bring a printer is not required. Click here for more information on CSUSM's Paw Print printing system.

Payment & Financial Aid Related 

• How do the payments work?

  We offer three different payment plans for the license amount: a payment in full, two equal semester payments, and eight equal installments. All of the payment options are based on the total license amount. The first installment for all payment plan options, is due August 1, 2018. The $300 administrative fee does not go towards the first installment, as the administrative fee is a separate processing fee. Residents and guarantors can pay online using their Resident Portal. If payment is not received by the due date or within the five day grace period, the resident will be assessed a late fee of $50 on the 6th of the month.

  
  If you are paying with the eight equal installments, they are due on the first of August, September, October, November, January, February, March, and April. This is NO payment due in December or May. If you set up automatic reoccurring payments, you will need to adjust your account accordingly to not be charged these months.

• What if I'm depending on Financial Aid to cover my housing costs?

  CSUSM Housing offers a housing installment extension for the first (August) and fifth (January) installments. Residents who would like an extension can submit the UVA Housing Installment Extension Form or The QUAD Housing Installment Extension Form. Please keep in mind only those who have reserved spaces can complete the form, and late fees do apply for the January installment.
  

  
  

• How do I know if my Financial Aid will cover the cost of living in Student Housing?

  When determining financial aid eligibility, the student’s cost of attendance is taken into consideration, including tuition and fees, books and supplies, room and board, transportation, and miscellaneous expenses.  All types of awarded financial aid, whether grants, loans or scholarships, may be used to pay for Student Housing costs. Students should keep in mind that tuition and fees owed to the University will be automatically paid first.  Any remaining aid is disbursed to students and may be used by students to make payments to Student Housing.

For Current Residents

• Can I stay on campus during holiday breaks?

  Yes, housing is apartment style student housing, so students are not required to leave. We ask residents to let their RA's know if they will be staying during Winter Break in case of an emergency.

• How to get along with your roommate?

  We advise students to talk with each other directly and respectfully.  Mistakes made when communicating can be around leaving notes, texting, or simply staying silent.  If a student has concerns they should bring those to the roommate.  If issues continue students should contact their RA or RD as soon as possible. 

  Here are some tips on how to get along with your roommate from psychcentral.com:

  • Find ways to admire and appreciate this person
    
  • Assume good will
    
  • Communicate
    
  • Communicate about things that interest you
    
  • Negotiate
    
  • Have fun with the situation

For Future Residents 

• When can I apply for housing?

  Applications for 2018-2019 are available online at both www.TheQUADSanMarcos.com and www.UVASanMarcos.com. Spaces are available on a first come, first serve basis.

• Are the costs per person? Or are those costs split between everyone in the apartment?

  All housing costs are per person, as Housing offers individual license agreements. This means residents are only responsible for their Housing contract. There is no worry if their roommate is having troubles paying their housing costs, moving out mid-year, etc.,  since the license agreements are individual and not shared between other residents.

• What is a guarantor?

  A guarantor is someone who is 25 years of age or older and resides in the US. At least one guarantor (at the most two) is required on the student's Housing application/license agreement. They are responsible for the license agreement cost with the resident.

  If a student cannot provide a guarantor, Housing will accept a deposit in lieu of guarantor in the amount of $1,200. It is refundable after moving out and damages are assessed. Payment for the deposit can be made with either check or money order to the respective property. If paying with an international bank account, payments can be made with FlyWire.

For Parents 

• I'm trying to make my payment for the August 1st installment, but it's showing a $0 balanc

   Your resident portal account will not show a balance until the resident moves in. You will need to click on "Make a Payment" then type in your payment amount. If you do not know how much to pay, you can download your license agreement under the Documents section in the Resident Portal.

General Questions  

• Is there parking at the UVA/QUAD?

  All parking is enforced through campus. Residents can park overnight in Lot O and in the parking structure. The price for the general student parking permit for a semester is $338 and for the academic year is $643. You can purchase your parking permit through your MyCSUSM account or at Parking and Commuter Services. You will need your license plate number, along with your make and model of your vehicle at the time of purchase.
  
  If you are visiting a resident, you will need to purchase a parking permit. The nearest parking machines are located in lots K (the parking lot next to UPD) and N (the parking lot next to the parking structure). The permit costs are: $9 for all day, $6 for four hours, and $4 for 2 hours. For more information, please visit www.csusm.edu/parking.

   

  The QUAD has short term parking along Campus Way for retail and unloading purposes. All other parking is through campus.

• Are there meal plans?

  The QUAD and UVA does not provide meal plans, as the apartments have a full kitchen, including a refrigerator, stove/oven, microwave, and dish washer. The closest grocery store, Ralph’s, is a 10 minute walk from UVA. For more information on on-campus dining, please visit USU Food Services.

• What will my mailing address be?

  UVA Residents:

   

  Resident's First and Last Name
  305 Campus View Drive #UNIT
  San Marcos, CA  92078

   

  The QUAD Residents:

   

  Resident's First and Last Name
  200 East Barham Drive #UNIT
  San Marcos, CA  92078
   

  Residents will receive their unit number on move-in day. If a resident needs to ship something to UVA prior to move-in, they may leave their unit number off of the address. Residents must add their unit number to all mail after move-in day.
  
  (QUAD Only) All residents must register for Parcel Pending in order to receive packages. If a resident decides to not register for Parcel Pending, all packages will be returned to the sender. Here is the link of a video on how Parcel Pending works.

• How do I pick my roommates?

  Residents can choose their roommates with RoomSync. RoomSync is an app through Facebook where you can view other residents' profiles and choose one another to live with. Click here to view a video on how it works. Residents must have a Facebook account in order to use the program. If you do not have a Facebook account, you can either create one or you will not be able to choose your roommates. Roommate assignments will be decided by housing staff based on availability. Residents will receive a link to join RoomSync in their confirmation email from housing within a week from being countersigned. The link is specific to the resident and cannot be forwarded. We do not advise to sign up for RoomSync on your own directly with RoomSync. Only use the links provided in your confirmation email. The deadline to select roommates is July 1, 2018.
  
  If a resident decides to not choose their roommates, all remaining roommate assignment will be done randomly based on availability. It is HIGHLY recommended to choose ALL roommates in the apartment and fill all spaces. The student knows themselves better than we do, so it is in the student's best interest to select all roommates.