RESIDENCE

Application

When you apply early to residence, you have a better chance of getting the type of suite you prefer. You can even apply before you have your official acceptance letter from the post-secondary institution you’ll be attending.

Before you apply

When you complete the application form, be sure to select the correct academic term. Residence Services cannot transfer an application from one term to another. If you apply for the wrong semester, your application fee is not refunded and you will need to submit a new application and fee.

The dates that you stay in residence align with the MacEwan University academic schedule and are subject to change.

MacEwan Residence offers four types of suites:

  • Bachelor
  • Two-bedroom
  • Four-bedroom

Decide which is your preferred suite type before completing the application form. Also consider the type of environment you would like to be in:

  • Quiet floor, with quiet hours from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m., seven days a week
  • Regular floor, with quiet hours from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m., Sunday to Thursday, and from 1 a.m. to 8 a.m., Friday and Saturday

In the application, you will be asked to rank your preferred suite and floor type.

OUR SUITES

Suite assignments

Bachelor and four-bedroom suites are in the highest demand, and returning residents are given priority for these units. While it is not impossible for new residents to be assigned a bachelor or four-bedroom suite, it is unlikely. Any suites remaining after returning residents have been assigned will be allocated to students who are guaranteed space and then to all other students based on the date of their application and any special accommodations requested for medical needs. We encourage you to apply as early as possible to increase your chances of getting a bachelor or four-bedroom unit.

Guaranteed housing

Applicants who qualify for guaranteed housing are assigned a suite before other applicants. Guaranteed housing is available for MacEwan University students in the following three groups:

  • Returning residents: Residents who are returning for both the fall and winter terms after living in residence the previous winter.
  • First-year students: Residents entering the first year of a full-time program.
  • Academic excellence: Residents who have been accepted into a full-time program and have received scholastic distinction, or an award or scholarship as described in the MacEwan Scholarships, Awards and Bursaries database.

To be eligible for guaranteed housing, you must apply for an 8-month or 12-month term and submit your application by April 1 if you are a returning resident and April 30 if you are a new resident. Individuals who receive a guaranteed housing offer but miss their specified deadline to accept the offer can re-apply, but are moved to a normal wait-list which is assessed on a first-come, first-served basis.

If you already have a roommate (or more than one roommate) in mind, be sure that everyone you plan on living with has submitted the same application preferences as you—suite type, floor type and stay duration. Roommate requests are only considered if the application preferences are identical and all roommates mutually request one another. All roommates must meet the guaranteed housing criteria to qualify for priority assignments.

If you don’t have a roommate in mind, we can help you find one after you apply.

MORE ABOUT ROOMMATES

Apply

Apply to residence using the residence portal. You will need to create a residence portal account or log in to your existing account before you begin. It takes about 15 minutes to complete the application form. You will be asked to pay a $50 application fee before you submit the completed form. 

RESIDENCE PORTAL

After you apply

The date you receive a housing offer depends on the duration of stay you select in your application.

Fall/Winter or 12-month contracts

If you apply to live in residence for the fall and winter terms or for a 12-month contract, you receive a housing offer sometime between April and July. Guaranteed housing offers for returning residents are sent out starting in April. Guaranteed housing for first-year students and students of excellence are sent out starting in May of each year.

One-term contract

If you apply to live in residence for one term only (fall or winter or spring/summer), you receive a housing offer a month or two prior to the start of that term. One-term contracts are subject to availability.

Housing offers are sent to the email address you used in your application. The housing offer outlines:

  • The term(s) you've applied for and the contract's start and end dates
  • Room type and rate 
  • The deadline for accepting the offer
  • Payment details for confirmation fee/deposit
  • Cancellation deadlines and instructions
  • Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FOIP) consent form

Review the details carefully before proceeding.

After you complete the application, you will receive an email with your residence offer, which includes a link to your residence agreement in the residence portal. 

Read the offer carefully. It contains information on your suite and floor type, the length of your stay in residence, the rate you will be charged, and other terms and conditions. If the details in the offer are correct, select the link to the residence agreement, which you sign and accept within the portal. After you accept the residence agreement, you will be asked to pay the confirmation fee. The confirmation fee must be received by the deadline indicated in the offer email. If the confirmation fee is not received by the deadline, your residence application is cancelled.

The residence agreement is a legal contract that outlines the terms of your stay at MacEwan Residence. It includes your fees, the services you can receive and the rules you need to follow. Your residence agreement is a license to occupy and isn’t governed by the Alberta Residential Tenancy Act. (Some exceptions apply.)

By accepting your residence agreement, you agree to adhere to the policies and procedures outlined in the Community Standards. You are responsible for familiarizing yourself with all Community Standards and other regulations outlined on this website.

COMMUNITY STANDARDS

About the confirmation fee

For MacEwan students, the confirmation fee is applied to your residence fees. For non-MacEwan Students, the fee acts as a security deposit and is kept until the end of the agreement. If necessary, it covers cleaning or damage charges.

About a month before move-in day, you will receive a welcome package that outlines your fees. All fees must be paid by the date that was included in your welcome package, which is also the date that your tuition is due.

Your residence fees can be paid online through the residence portal, or at the front desk with debit, cheque or money order. Payment plans are available. For more information and to find out if you are eligible for a payment plan, email residence@macewan.ca.

Residence Life fees

Residence Life fees are mandatory for all residents and are posted to your account in the MacEwan Residence portal in the fall and winter terms. If you applied to live in residence for more than one term, ensure that you pay the fees for upcoming terms on or before the deadline.

Additional fees may be charged to residents over the course of their stay.

ADDITIONAL FEES

Prepare for move-in day

Before you pick up your keys, set up your suite and meet your new neighbours, prepare for move-in day by checking tasks off your to-do list.

What to bring and other details
The ins and outs of residence living

Living in residence provides the perfect transition for students who are striking out on their own. Learn about the residence life experience and ways to provide support throughout the school year.

Read the parent guide

Cancellation and refund policy

If you have not yet paid the residence confirmation fee, you may cancel your application to MacEwan Residence by email to residence@macewan.ca. Please use "Residence Cancellation" as the subject line and include the following in your email:

  • Full name (first, middle and last)
  • Student ID number
  • The reason for your cancellation

Please note that the $50 application fee is non-refundable.

If you have already paid your residence confirmation fee and would like to cancel your application to MacEwan Residence, you must submit a cancellation form before the set deadline. After the deadline, requests for confirmation fee refunds will no longer be accepted.

RESIDENCE CANCELLATION FORM

Policy exceptions

Exceptions to the cancellation and refund policy apply in the following circumstances:

If you are not admitted to your post-secondary institution, you must submit a residence cancellation form within 30 days of receiving a letter of non-acceptance from your program or institution to receive a full refund.

A copy of the letter must be included with your cancellation form.

If you are cancelling your space for medical reasons, you must submit the residence application cancellation form along with supporting documentation prior to move-in day. Residence Services reviews the documentation before notifying you of a refund in full, in part or to be forfeited. Please allow a minimum of ten (10) business days for the review.

If you are an international student and your student visa is declined, submit the residence cancellation form along with supporting documentation prior to move-in day. Residence Services reviews the documentation and notifies you in writing if your confirmation deposit will be refunded in full, in part or be forfeited. Please allow a minimum of ten (10) business days for the review.