Frequently Asked Questions

Move-In / Move-out Related

• What day is move-in?

  Move-in day for Fall 2023 is set for Thursday August 24, 2023 (QUAD) and Friday August 25th, 2023 (UVA & North Commons) for CSUSM Housing. Residents will receive more information regarding move-in day, such as roommates and what time to arrive. 

  For students moving in during the Spring semester 2024, move in begins Saturday, January 20, 2024

  Please make sure you have a fully signed license agreement (signed by all parties) prior to moving in.

• What day is move-out?
  The move out date for Spring 2024 is May 17, 2024. 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?
  CSUSM Housing will not be providing push carts for Spring move-in day. 
  
• I want to bring my own furniture. Is that allowed?
  CSUSM Housing 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 housing@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 to all residents who have reserved housing. Roommate requests are not always guaranteed due to floor plan and gender constrictions.  If you have used an email address through your high school for your Housing application, please email us to update your email address. Roommate requests are not available for Spring move in. 
• What do I need to bring?
  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 communities do have the Paw Print printing system, so purchasing and bring a printer is not required. More information on CSUSM's Paw Print printing system.

Payment & Financial Aid Related 

• How do the payments work?

  All Housing installments will be placed on the student’s MyCSUSM account. This means: 

  • Other than the $250 Licensing Fee and $50 Application Fee that was paid when you applied for Housing, you will pay all fees directly to CSUSM instead of paying the Housing office. 
  • Financial Aid will automatically be applied to your Housing costs (once any outstanding Fees and Tuition have been paid) rather than having to wait for your refund to pay for Housing. 
  • All costs and bills will be conveniently located in one place. 
  • Housing fee due dates have been updated to match CSUSM’s due dates, again allowing for one convenient payment plan. 
  • As in previous years, no installments are charged in December and May. 

  • For more information on payments and student accounts, please visit Student Financial Services. 
• 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.  

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 can I get along with my 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 are available on our web site. Spaces are limited so apply today!
• 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.

• How will I receive my license agreement?

  When your application is processed you will be sent a license agreement to the email address you provided on your application. You may also be emailed if there are any issues with your application that need resolution prior to sending out a license agreement.

  It is very important that you regularly check for housing correspondence with the email you provided on your application. 

• What if I cannot access my CSUSM email?
  If you are having trouble accessing your cougars.csusm.edu email address, please make sure to contact our office and update your email address. You must make sure you are able to access the account that we will be sending the license agreement and/or update requests to. Applicants and their guarantors have 48 hours to sign license agreements or risk losing an available space. 

General Questions  

• Is there parking at the UVA/QUAD/NCSM?
  All parking is enforced through campus. Residents can park overnight in Lot O and in  parking structure  one (PS1).  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).  For more information, please visit CSUSM Parking website.

   

  The QUAD and North Commons has short term parking along Campus Way and in parking structure two (PS2) for retail and unloading purposes. 
• What's the difference between a standard Double and a Deluxe Double?

  While some Deluxe Doubles are larger in size than standard Doubles, this isn't always the case. So, what's the difference?

  At the QUAD, a Deluxe Double means a smaller number of roommates (from 3-7 students total in the apartment) as opposed to a standard double (8 students in the apartment.) At the UVA, a Deluxe Double has between 4 and 5 students in the apartment as opposed to 6 students in a standard double apartment. At North Commons a Deluxe Double has a front facing view of campus.

• 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

   

  North Commons Residents:

  Resident's First and Last Name

  190 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 and North Commons 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 request my roommates?
  Once you have a fully executed License, residents can choose their roommates with My College Roomie (Fall semester only). This is an app where you can view other residents' profiles and choose one another to live with.  
  
  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.

Have additional questions? Please contact us at:

• housing@csusm.edu,  phone: (760) 750-3711