First-Year Student Information

Congratulations on your acceptance to the University of Maine! We hope your first year here will be a great introduction to the endless experiences that are available to you as a student on campus.

Living on campus maximizes opportunities for social, cultural, and extracurricular involvement and is positively linked to students’ persistence toward attaining a degree. The University of Maine believes that residence hall living is an educational opportunity that all new students should experience.

apply for housing as soon as possible

You may even apply for housing if you have not confirmed admission to UMaine. All housing assignments are made based on availability and the application date once admission is confirmed.

Apply for housing pay housing deposit

Once your housing deposit has been received and you have confirmed with Admissions that you will be attending the University of Maine, we will mark your application as ready to be assigned.

Intensive English Institute Students are exempt from having to pay the housing deposit.

first year live-on residence requirement

The University of Maine requires all first year students to live on campus. All first-year students must submit a housing application. Living on campus supports students’ success in pursuit of their degree. It also provides students with valuable life experiences in a supportive environment.

For students who would like to request an exemption, they must do so on the housing application, found at myHousing Portal.

First year “on-campus residence” requirement

All incoming first year students must fill out a housing application. No exceptions.

A student may apply to waive the on-campus requirement if they are:

Over age 21
A veteran or transfer student
Living with a parent or legal guardian within an easy commuting distance (e.g., 25 miles from campus)
Have exceptional circumstances that do not permit them to live on campus

Students who meet one of these criteria must request a first-year housing exemption on their application. A representative from UMaine Residence Life will respond to the student regarding their exemption request.

Living on campus brings you access to:

Secure access to your building and residence hall room tied to your Mobile MaineCard
New people who will become lifelong friends
New experiences you won’t get anywhere else
Opportunities to learn skills for transitioning into adulthood
Included amenities like electricity, Wi-Fi, and streaming entertainment — no extra bills
On-site laundry that you don’t have to pay for
Parking in one of our many lots with a parking pass
Free or low cost access to campus activities such as athletics, arts and cultural events
A robust student life activity calendar
More than 200 clubs, organizations and Greek Life
Ride the Campus Connector bus for free
Easy access to academic support like tutoring, career counseling and healthcare
Academic and personal support from trained residence hall staff and university personnel
University Police available 24/7
Access to a large river and trail system as well as MaineBound activities

Simply put: When you’re on campus, you are supported in class and beyond. Academically, students who live on campus have proven to be more successful in attaining their degree.

Because all first-year students are required to.

A first-year student is enrolled in, or seeking to enroll in, classes at the University of Maine for the first time within one calendar year of their high school graduation.

Any University of Maine operated residence hall.

The exemption request is in the housing application accessed through the myHousing portal.

If the exemption is granted before the start of the academic year, your contract will be automatically canceled — no fee.
If the exception is granted during the year, you will be reimbursed through a credit on your student account for a pro-rated amount.

Yes. You must fill out a new application for housing and we will be happy to welcome you to campus.

Housing Application Tips

Apply for housing even if you have not confirmed your admission to UMaine.
There is a required $75.00 Housing Deposit paid upon housing application completion.
Housing assignments will be released on July 15.
Housing assignments are made based on availability and the application date once admission is confirmed
UMaine’s residence halls include non-break and break housing as well as two suite-style buildings for upperclass students.
UMaine residence halls do not include general use kitchens, but all floors have microwaves in lounges.
As part of your application you must choose a meal plan. Details at https://umaine.sodexomyway.com/my-meal-plan.
Laundry is included in your housing and available on-site.
Honors College students:
Apply and confirm admission early.
Honors Housing is limited and fills quickly.
You must have accepted the Honors College invitation before applying for Honors housing.
When selecting a roommate, BOTH students must be enrolled in the Honors College to be eligible for Honors housing.

communities within umaine residence halls

Living Learning Communities (based on academic majors)

Themed communities (based on shared interests)

Virtual communities (residential & online communities)

Requests for Living/Learning Communities and Themed Housing will be assigned based upon space availability.
Learn more about them here: https://umaine.edu/reslife/residence-hall-communities.

Communities within UMaine residence halls

First‑year students may request general first year housing. They may also request up to three themed communities or Living and Learning communities.

What communities are available at UMaine?

UMaine offers:

Living Learning Communities (based on academic majors)
Themed communities (based on shared interests)
Virtual communities (residential communities with online components)

Requests for Living/Learning Communities and Themed Housing will be assigned based upon space availability. Learn more about them here: https://umaine.edu/reslife/residence-hall-communities

When do I move in?

Move-in is part of the Maine Hello (dates change annually so be sure to follow the website). More specific details will be announced closer to August but you may reference our Residence Hall Opening/Closing page in the meantime.

Property Insurance

Students are strongly encouraged to have property insurance for their personal belongings. The University does not insure student belongings while they live on campus. Comprehensive, affordable property insurance is available through CSI College Student Insurance. For more information, check out our list of what to bring to campus.

Roommates & Roommate Requests

Students who have a specific roommate request should include it on their housing application. Both students should request each other on their housing applications. Roommate requests are guaranteed with both housing applications on file. Housing will accommodate requests made received after July 15, if possible.

UMaine uses a roommate matching program called My College Roomie for first-year students coming in for the fall semester. If a student arrives new for the spring semester, it will either be a random assignment or an assignment with a specific roommate request.

Fall semester first-year students who match with a roommate through My College Roomie will be assigned their matched roommate, and do not need to contact our office to request a roommate.

If you find a roommate after submitting your housing application and you did not participate in My College Roomie, please email us with the name of your requested roommate. Roommate pairings will be honored as much as possible.

ready to live on campus?

apply now

Questions?

Email um.housing@maine.edu