Table of Contents
This article provides you with information on:
- What a Semester Transition is
- Eligibility
- Cost
- How to apply
What is a Semester Transition?
A Semester Transition is the period between the end of one semester and the beginning of the next semester. There are usually 2 weeks between semesters. For residents who live on campus, the last day of the semester is 24 hours after your last exam. This is when you will be required to move out of campus housing. To review the Check Out process, you can read this article: Checking out of On Campus Housing
During the semester transition time, our custodians will still need to clean the rooms, and Maintenance will still need to complete their tasks so that the rooms will be ready for the next semester. This will occur regardless of whether you are staying in your same room for the transition or not.
If you would like to stay during the weeks after your final exam up until the beginning of the next semester, you will first need to check if you are eligible to stay. Not all students are eligible to apply to stay between semesters.
Am I Eligible to Apply for a Semester Transition?
To be eligible for any of the Semester Transitions,
- You must be caught up on all of your payments and not have an A/R hold on your account
- You can apply for a semester transition if you are required to stay for an extended period due to education-related purposes.
- There will be no fee charged to your account if you are required to stay on campus due to education-related purposes
Spring to Summer Eligibility
To be eligible to apply for the Spring to Summer transition - you must meet at least one of the following criteria:
- Registered in both Spring AND Summer Housing
- A current Spring Resident that is Graduating during the Graduation Weekend
- A current Spring Resident that is a PYP student
- A current Spring Resident that is on a Global Project Trip or in a Travel Study**
The Spring Semester officially ends 24 hours after your last exam or on April 24th - which ever date comes first. If you are staying up until the 24th because of one of the above listed reasons, there will be no additional charge to your account.
If you are in a course that extends past the 24th, you will need to apply for the Summer Semester so that we can plan your stay accordingly. You will likely be required to move into a Summer Room/apply for the first 2 weeks of the Summer Semester.
**If you are leaving on your Global Project Trip and will return after the Summer Semester begins (April 27) - you will need to book space in storage to move your things there BEFORE you leave on your Global Project Trip.
You MUST apply by April 10 - any applications received after April 10 will not be accepted.
Summer to Fall Eligibility
To be eligible to apply for the Summer to Fall transition - you must meet at least one of the following criteria:
- Registered in both Summer AND Fall Housing
- An Athlete that is approved to arrive early by their coach for training
- A Student Leader that is approved to arrive early by Student Life
You MUST apply by July 15 - any applications received after July 15 will not be accepted.
Christmas Break Eligibility
If you are staying in your room on campus for the Christmas Break, please apply for the Fall to Spring transition.
To be eligible:
- You must be caught up on all of your payments and not have an A/R hold on your account
- You must be registered in both Fall AND Spring Housing
- Exception: You can apply for a semester transition if you are required to stay for an extended period due to education-related purposes.
- There will be no fee charged to your account if you are required to stay on campus due to education-related purposes
You MUST apply by November 15
Only Current Residents are eligible to apply for the transition. You will remain in your same room; you can keep your items in your room and keep your key(s). Please review our Housing Dates and Deadlines article to see when returning students can move back into their rooms.
Note that if you do not apply for the transition and Security finds you in your room before January 3, you will be charged the Semester Transition Fee plus a fine.
If you want to go home for the Christmas Break, of course you are more than welcome to! If you applied for both Fall and Spring semesters, you can keep your keys and return to your room on January 3. You will not be charged the semester transition fee, but you cannot arrive any earlier than January 3 (unless you are a student leader or approved athlete arriving on the 1st or 2nd).
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How Much is a Semester Transition and What is Available to Me?
The Transition fee is dependent on where you are staying on campus. The fees are as displayed below; they are calculated based on the charges for a Full Semester, calculated to 2 weeks.
Exception: If you are required to stay on campus for educational purposes, you do not need to pay for the transition fee (i.e., PYP, Global Project Trips, Travel Studies, graduation, etc.)
| Building |
2 Week Fee |
| DeVries Economy Double Occupancy |
$ 242.00 |
| Douglas 6/7 Double Occupancy |
$ 285.00 |
| Douglas 4/5 Double Occupancy |
$ 265.00 |
| Douglas 2/3 8/9 North Double Occupancy |
$ 215.00 |
| Jacobson 4-pod Double Occupancy |
$ 400.00 |
| Jacobson 6-Pod Double Occupancy |
$ 365.00 |
| McMillan Apt 1 bdr |
$ 460.00 |
| McMillan Apt 2 bdr |
$ 440.00 |
| Robson Hall Premium Double Occupancy |
$ 415.00 |
| Skidmore Hall Premium Double Occupancy |
$ 400.00 |
| Douglas Single Room |
$ 422.50 |
| DeVries Single Room |
$ 485.00 |
| Skidmore POD Single Room (w/ Kitchen) |
$ 702.00 |
| Jacobson Single Room |
$ 727.00 |
You will be charged the full 2 weeks regardless of how many days you choose to stay. If you apply for a Semester Transition, you apply for the entire 2 weeks. The Semester Transition fees cover the cost for added security required to maintain the safety of the university during your stay. This fee will also cover the ancillary costs (i.e maintenance, facilities, administrative fees, hydro, electricity, etc.)
If you do not apply for the Semester Transition, but your status in our system remains as "Checked In" then you will be charged the Christmas Break Fee. Please ensure you check out of your room with the Residence Life Leader prior to leaving for Christmas Break.
Note that the Dining Hall and the Campus Store Cafe will be closed during this time. Starbucks will remain open.
Reminder: If you do not apply for the transition and Security finds you in your room before January 3, you will be charged the Semester Transition Fee plus a fine.
What is the Process of Applying for a Semester Transition
During the semester transition, our custodians will still need to clean the rooms, and Maintenance will still need to complete their tasks so that the rooms will be ready for the next semester. This will occur regardless of whether you are staying in your same room for the transition or not.
The steps to successfully apply for a Semester Transition are as follows:
- Complete the Semester Transition Application Form
- If you are eligible and approved for Semester Transition, you will receive a response in your ticket (which will also appear in your email) letting you know that you have been approved to stay for the transition, as well as additional details regarding your stay.
- If you have an approved room change, the email will include instructions regarding:
- The Check-out process and Checklist you will need to complete
- What room you are moving to and when you can move in
- Where you can pick up your keys
- If you will not be changing rooms during the transition, your email will include instructions regarding:
- The Check-out process and Checklist you will need to complete
- An additional checklist for the custodians, as they will need to clean your room while you're there
- When your scheduled cleaning is
- Please review the Check-In Process when checking in to your room and ensure that all steps are followed.
You MUST apply for the Semester Transition BEFORE the due date. We will not accept any applications after the due date, as we have to schedule cleaning times with the custodians. If you have not applied for the Semester Transition, you will not be allowed to remain on campus and will be asked to leave. To confirm when you need to apply, please review our Housing Dates & Deadlines Article
If you have any additional questions or concerns, you can file a ticket with Housing, and we will answer as soon as we can.