Frequently Asked Questions

Housing Agreements

What is the Housing Agreement?

The Housing Agreement is a legally binding agreement for your residence hall assignment. It is binding for the entire academic year, both FALL and SPRING semesters. You are obligated to all Terms and Conditions of the Housing Agreement. There are separate Housing Agreements for each SUMMER semester.

How do I submit a Housing Agreement?

By submitting a Housing Agreement you are agreeing to abide and be legally bound by the terms and conditions of the Housing Agreement.

• Complete and sign the Housing Agreement. (If you are under the age of 18, your parent or guardian must also sign the Housing Agreement).
• Indicate roommate requests with Panther ID, First and Last names on the Housing Agreement. Roommate requests must be mutual. (Roommate requests are not guaranteed).
• Rank your top five room preferences and indicate any interests you may have in our special living options.
• Complete the Hepatitis B⁄Meningitis vaccination form or complete the waiver of liability.
• Submit the Housing Agreement with the $100.00 (USD) processing fee. Agreements without the processing fee will not be accepted.

Submitting a Housing Agreement is NOT a guarantee that you will receive a space, room type or the roommate preferences requested. Spaces are assigned based on availability.

If we do not assign you to your preferred room you will be assigned to what is available. An incomplete Housing Agreement will be returned to you.

When does the Housing Agreement become binding?

The Housing Agreement is legally binding once you submit the Housing Agreement with your Processing Fee. You are obligated to the Terms and Conditions, it is important you review them carefully before signing and submitting the Housing Agreement.

Financial reasons are not a reason for cancellation.

When are Housing Agreements for the upcoming semesters available?

Housing Agreements for the upcoming Fall - Spring and Summer semesters are generally available at the beginning of every year. Housing Agreements can be downloaded from our website, mailed to you upon request and are available at the Housing Office.

I require special accommodations, what are my options?

If you require special accommodations, please indicate on the Housing Agreement the special needs you require along with proper documentation. This information is voluntary and will be kept confidential.

Cancellation

How do I cancel my Housing Agreement?

Please review your Housing needs and financial resources before signing the Housing Agreement.

Financial resources are not a reason for cancellation.

The only reasons for cancellation from the Housing Agreement are:

1. Withdrawal or graduation from the University
2. An internship outside the Dade ⁄ Broward area
3. Marriage
4. Denied admission or not enrolled in the current/upcoming semester

If any of these conditions is applicable, fill out a REQUEST FOR RELEASE FORM. Approved cancellations are assessed a cancellation fee, cancellation fees vary from $100.00 to $500.00.

I was assigned but have not moved in and wish to cancel my Housing Agreement.

Please see how do I cancel my Housing Agreement?

Housing Assignments

How will I be assigned?

Preferences serve as a guide for your assignment; we cannot guarantee that you will receive your first preference. Housing Agreements are processed by a date received order, assignments are completed based on the date the Housing Office received the Housing Agreement. Preferences are considered in the following order Special Needs, Roommate Requests, Room type preferences, Special Living options.

Is there a priority system for the assignment of space?

Returning residents from the previous academic year are given first priority for Housing during the FALL and SPRING Sign-Up period in the spring semester, usually in March. New Housing Agreements are processed on a first come, first served basis. If unable to meet your preferences, we will offer you a space based on the availability at the time we assign you.

When can I find out my assignment?

If able to assign you a space, we will mail you an invoice that indicates your room type, room assignment and payment deadlines. Return the invoice along with payment established by the specified deadline. Room assignments are subject to change after the initial invoice has been sent however room type and cost will not change.

When do I Check-In?

Each semester has established dates for check-in. Review your Housing invoice for exact dates and times for check-in. Check-in takes place at the Front Desk of the residence hall that you will be living in.

Payments

Is there a payment plan, I am unable to make payment in full?

Submit the Payment Plan Form that was emailed to you along with your housing invoice, along with the first installment.

Are payment plans available?

Yes, a 3-part payment plan is available by written request for residents with financial needs. A processing fee of $50.00 is accessed each semester.

Can I have a payment extension for payment deadlines?

Requests must be made to the Housing Office by the resident prior to the payment deadline.

Can the University’s Cashier, Bursar or Financial Aid Offices answer my Housing Account balance questions?

No, correspondence sent by the Housing Office should be directed to the Housing Office Staff.

I owe a past due balance, can my Housing Hold be lifted?

No, all past due balances must be paid in full, before a hold can be lifted.

My parent’s pay my bills; can I have correspondence sent to them?

No, all correspondence from the Housing Office is sent to the residents on campus housing address and FIU email address.

Do I submit a Fee Deferral Request Form every semester?

Yes, Fee Deferral Request Forms with a copy of your award summary must be must be submitted by the payment due date each semester. This includes Florida Pre-Paid.

How can I make a payment for my Housing?

You can make payment with a credit card or checking account via PantherSoft or at the cashier window at the housing office. The university does not accept Visa.

Can my Housing be paid with financial aid?

Yes, submit a Fee Deferral Request Form with your current Financial Aid Award Letter for each semester that you want to defer.

I have Florida Prepaid and Bright Futures for tuition; can I utilize one of these awards to pay a portion of my housing?

Yes, after tuition and fees have been paid, the remaining balance will be applied to the housing charge.

What is the $100.00 Processing Fee?

The $100.00 (USD) is a non-refundable Processing Fee that is assessed each time you apply to live on-campus. Current residents signing up for future housing are not assessed a Processing Fee if they sign-up for housing during the designated periods.

How can I pay the $100.00 (USD) nonrefundable processing fee?

The $100.00 (USD) non-refundable processing fee can be submitted in the form of check, money order or traveler check drawn on a U.S. bank to the Housing Office. Housing Agreements will not be accepted without the processing fee.

Residents

I’m not happy with my room and wish to transfer.

Transfers are processed during the second and third week of the semesters. Residents may change to any residence hall or room provided there is an available space. Transfers are handled on a first come, first served, basis unless it involves a financial, medical or academic request. The Residence Life Coordinator must approve room transfers.

If transferring to a more expensive room, the difference must be paid prior to transferring. Failure to follow proper transfer procedures will result in a $100.00 improper checkout fee. Information regarding transfers will be posted in the residence halls.

Can my parents call and inquire about my Housing Account (ex: my balance, current room information)?

No, federal privacy acts require us to ensure that a student’s right to privacy is protected. We cannot release information regarding your housing assignment or housing financial information to any person, other than the resident, unless written permission is given by the resident. Residents may complete a Release of Housing Assignment and Financial Information Form at the Housing Office.

Can I stay in my current room for the summer semesters?

During the Summer A and B terms, housing is available for residents. Not all Residence Halls are open during the summer; residents do have to move for the summer. Residents sign-up for Summer Housing during the month of April (specific dates are designated each year). If not currently living in Housing, you can submit a Housing Agreement for the summer semesters. Each summer semester is separate and you sign up for Housing for either or both semesters.

How does a current resident sign-up for housing for the upcoming semester?

Log-on to Housing Online Services (RMS) at https://rms-stuweb.housing.fiu.edu/

How do I logon to Housing Online Services (RMS)?

Log-on to Housing Online Services (RMS) at https://rms-stuweb.housing.fiu.edu/

The username is your Panther ID. PASSWORDS are case SENSITIVE!

The default password is your birth date (YYMMDD), first 3 letters of your last name, and first 3 letters of your first name. Example: John Smith born March 15, 1985 would be 850315SmiJoh. If you forgot your password, enter your username and click the "Forgot your password?" link and it will be emailed to your FIU Email account.

Are guests of the opposite sex allowed in the residence halls?

Yes, residents are allowed to have guests of the opposite sex overnight for no more than three consecutive nights and no more than ten nights per semester. Residents must have approval of all of their roommates prior to the guest staying overnight. Residents must register their guests with the Front Desk prior to their guest staying overnight. Guests must be escorted by their host at all times while in the Residence Hall. Ask your Residence Hall front desk for more information.

When are quiet hours?

Quiet hours exist in all of the residence halls. Hours are from 10PM – 8AM Sunday - Thursday and 12AM-10AM on Friday - Saturday. Courtesy Hours are 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Excessive noise is not allowed outside resident rooms that could disrupt the community.

Can I have a car on campus?

Yes, residents must get a university parking decal and a housing decal in order to park in housing lots. Again, parking is limited. There will be times, particularly during business hours where parking is very limited and scarce throughout the campus, including Housing designated lots.

Who has access to my room?

Housing & Residential Life staff has access to all Residence Hallrooms. Reasons for entry include requested repairs and routine maintenance, Health & Safety Inspections, or emergency situations.

Are there curfews in the Residence Halls?

No, residents may make their own decisions regarding when they come and go to the residence halls. With the exception of the University Park Apartments, all of our residence halls are private facilities that require a key to enter the facility. Each of these residence halls has a 24 hour desk.

May I decorate my room?

Residents are allowed to decorate their rooms, within limits. Residents are not allowed to do any painting or alterations to their room, furniture or any furnishings in the room. Residents should avoid using nails, tacks, or any other item that may damage the walls, floors, or other areas of the apartment. Residents and Staff fill out a Room Inventory Form at the beginning of the semester. This form is used at checkout to assess charges for cleaning, excessive wear and tear or damage that has occurred to the residence over the course of the academic year.