Frequently Asked Questions

Applications | Acceptance and Assignments | Move In & Packing | Meal Plans | Other | Upper year move in

Applications

I am having trouble logging into the Application.

  •  Sign in to Trent's Residence Application by entering
    your student number and password.  NOTE : If this is your first time logging in, or you are resetting your password please enter your date of birth in the format YYYYMMDD in the password box. If you are still having problems you can 'reset password' this will reset the password back to your birth date. You will need to refresh your browser after doing this. If you are still having problems please contact us at residence@trentu.ca

I don't have a Trent Student number yet, but would like to apply to Residence.

  • Your student number will be a 7-digit number and can be found on any correspondence from Trent University. You must wait until you have received your student number before applying to residence. However you do not need to have accepted an offer from Trent or have recieved an offer in order to apply for residence.

Why do I need to fill out my personal information on the application form?

  • We recommend that you fill out your personal information on the application because we want to make residence the most positive experience possible. In order to achieve this, we make our best effort to match roommates and floor mates by the preferences in this section. 

How do I find out if my application has been received?

  • The best way to find out if your application has been received is by emailing residence@trentu.ca. Remember that your application will not be processed until the $30.00 non-refundable application fee has been received.  

Do I need to rank all of the residences on my application form?

  • We suggest that you rank all of the residences on your application form. If you fail to do so, Housing Services staff will rank your choices for you.

What if I want to change my preferences on my application?

  • In order to change your preferences on your application,you will need to log back into the Application system and make those changes. Changes cannot be made to you Application once a residence is assigned.

What if I want to waitlist for my choice?

  • If you would like a change after the residence has been assigned you will need to contact the Housing Office at residence@trentu.ca. You will need to accept your current offer and pay your $500 advance fee by your deadline before we can add you to the waitlist. We will not accept phone calls, or emails from parents/guardians wishing to change preferences for their student without prior written permission from the student. 

Are the prices on this web site correct?

  • The prices have been updated for 2011/2012. Please visit the Residence Prices page for details.

Acceptance and Assignments  

When will I find out if I have been accepted into Residence?

  • New students applying by June 1st 2011 at 4:00pm are guaranteed a place in residence, however, not necessarily their first choice. 
  • Anyone applying after the 4:00 pm June 1st 2011 deadline will receive their offers on a first-come first-served basis.  We endeavor to process applications and return offers of residence as quickly as possible, and we appreciate your patience. 
  • Applicants will receive residence offers via the email address on your residence application.  Be sure to check the e-mail account listed on your residence application for communication from our office on a regular basis.  E-mail will be our primary method of communicating with applicants over the summer.  

Please ensure that your hot mail and yahoo accounts have “trentu.ca” on the safe lists so communications is not disposed of by filters.

The Residence Application Instructions page provides further details.  

When does my $500 advanced payment have to be in?

  • Your advanced payment must be in by the date specified on your residence assignment letter. This will be approximately 2 weeks after your residence assignment email is sent out. If your advanced payment is not in by the specified date, your assignment will be cancelled.   

How will I be contacted by the Housing Office?

  • The Housing Office will be emailing your residence assignment to you. If you need to get in touch with the Housing Office, the best way to do so is via email at residence@trentu.ca  

I have decided that I do not want to live in Residence at Trent University. How do I get my advance payment back?

  • The first thing you need to do is let Housing Services know, in writing, that you are canceling your application. You can do this by sending an email to residence@trentu.ca or mailing a letter to Housing Services.
  • After your advance payment has cleared (takes about one month), a credit of $350 will be placed on your student account if you cancel your application prior to 4:00 pm July 29, 2011 deadline. If you cancel after 4:00 pm, July 29, 2011, you will not receive any of your advance payment back. 

What are the chances of me getting my first choice?

  • Housing Services will do their best to assign you to your first choice. We do not guarantee your first choice, but the earlier you apply, the better your chance is of getting one of your top choices.  
  • Given the architectural uniqueness of each college there may be differences in the sizes of individual rooms.
  • Please note the University reserves the right to move all assigned students as required.

Move In & What to Bring

When can I move in to Residence?

  • FIRST YEAR STUDENTS: You can move into residence on Monday September 5th 2011. 
  • UPPER YEAR STUDENTS: where possible can move in on Sept 7th 2011

Please note there will be NO early move-ins permitted.

What time should I arrive on move-in day?

  • You can start arriving any time after 8:30am, and before 3pm. Suggested arrival times designated by last name are listed below. These times are only a suggestion so if you need to come earlier or later than your scheduled time you do not need to make special arrangements. Check in will be open from 8:30 until 3:00 pm. Please pack your patience and be ready to have fun and meet new people. 

A-H      8:30am – 10:30am
I-Q      10:30am – 12:30pm
R-Z      1:00pm – 3:00pm
International students 3:00pm – 4:00pm

Further details can be found on the Move In page.

What do I need to bring for my room?

  • Your room will include the following items: bed, desk, lamp, closet, vanity and bookshelves. You will need to bring your own linens. In Champlain College you will have to bring extra long twin sized sheets, as the beds are long. In Gzowski College, you will need to bring double sized sheets as each student has a double bed.  Please note that there are 4 rooms in GC with single beds.
  • You may also decide to bring a small refrigerator (which may also be rented through an outside company) and a small microwave. All other appliances are prohibited from residence. 
  • You may want to bring posters and pictures for your room in order to brighten it up and make it more personal.  Remember, most students will visit home during the semester a couple of times – you do not have to bring everything for the whole year at move-in.  If you know you will go home at Thanksgiving – leave your winter clothes at home till then and take your summer clothes home at Thanksgiving.  It will save you space in your room. 

What is the cost of my room and what does it include?

Can I find out my roommate’s name before I move in?

Are internet charges included in my room?

  • Internet charges are included in the cost of your room. Residence rooms are set up with internet access upon arrival of the students. More information will be provided by email throughout the summer.

Meal Plans 

I have been assigned to a college with a Board Meal Plan but I would prefer a Flex Meal Plan (or vice versa). Can I change my meal plan?

  • For first year students, the meal plan that you have been assigned is the one that you must stick with. Each college has their own meal plan, and therefore whatever college you live in, you must have the meal plan that fits accordingly.   
  • For students who are attending for half year- your meal plans will be half year plans- Board Plans will be 12 or 16 Board meals per week with half the yearly flex amount i.e. 400 or 300 Flex. - Flex plans will be either 1400 or 1300 flex dollars for the term.

Can you explain what each of the meal plans are?

Other 

Will my parents be notified of any changes, personal information or things that go on in residence?

  • Parents will not be notified of any changes or a students’ personal information. Unless we receive written permission, we are unable to discuss anything with parents.  
  • Parents will only be contacted if they are listed as the emergency contact and the student is determined to be at risk. 

For more information regarding parental contact please visit our new Parents' Page.

Do I receive a tax receipt for living in residence?

  • If you lived in a residence at a designated Ontario university, college or private school residence, you can claim only $25 as your occupancy cost for the part of the year you lived in such a residence.
  • Ontario tax credits are funded by the province. Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) administers the program on behalf of Ontario through the federal income tax system. Claim your $25 tax credit on form 5006-TC ON 479 Ontario Credits (student residence line 6114) included in your federal T1-General income tax return. An official letter from the University is not required as the student completes the information requested in the declaration for the property tax credit.
  • The Canada Revenue Agency stipulates that you cannot claim meals and lodging as tuition fees. Current information on CRA regulations and guidelines for tuition and education amounts can be found online on the Students and Income Tax page.

 

What is ISW all about?

  • ISW stands for “Introductory Seminar Week”. During the first week students are at Trent University they will have the opportunity to get involved in academic and social activities as well as get oriented with the university.

Insurance?

  • The University DOES NOT provide insurance or assume liability for personal belongings or damaged caused by students in residence. It is strongly encouraged that you check with your parent/guardian’s homeowner’s policy and/or your insurance representative to ensure that contents and or damage coverage is extended to your residence room.

Upper year move in

When can upper year students move in to Residence?