Your Guide to Freshman Dorm Life at FAU

We are excited to welcome you to FAU! Moving into a dorm is a significant step in your college journey. This guide provides essential information for incoming freshmen to navigate the housing process and make the most of their on-campus living experience at Florida Atlantic University. It aims to provide you with the information you need for a smooth transition into your home away from home.

Applying for Housing

The first step toward living on campus is completing the housing application. Here’s what you need to know:

Application Access: Access to the housing application is granted the business day prior to its opening.
Application Fee: A $100 non-refundable application fee is required to complete the housing application.
Housing Contract: The FAU Housing contract is a legally binding document, similar to a lease. Before submitting, carefully read and agree to the terms.
Room Preferences: You will be able to add three room preferences on the Housing Application questions page. Room preferences are not guaranteed. If your preference is not available, the next closest room type will be assigned. Keep in mind that single rooms are limited, and requests cannot be guaranteed.
Application Term: The housing application covers only the term you apply for. For example, the Fall - Spring application covers both semesters of the academic year. Summer requires a separate application.
Meal Plan: Students living in residence halls are required to participate in the Campus Meal Plan Program.
Accessibility Accommodations: If you plan to request housing accommodations/modifications due to a disability, you must apply with Student Accessibility Services (SAS) as soon as possible. A hold is placed on their account which prevents them from registering from classes until the form is submitted.
Roommate Requests: The deadline for first time in college students to request a roommate is May 1. Roommate requests take priority over room type preferences (i.e. single room). Roommate matching is not guaranteed; however, we will make every attempt to match roommates that are mutually requested by May 1.

Move-In Day Essentials

All students will check in at the Esports Arena & Gaming Center in the Student Union during their assigned check-in appointment time. Here's what to expect on move-in day:

Check-In Location: All students will check in at the Esports Arena & Gaming Center in the Student Union during their assigned check-in appointment time.
Unloading Time: Upon arrival at your building, you will have 30 minutes to unload your belongings.
Moving Bins: Moving bins are available for checkout inside your building with a valid photo ID. Individual bedrooms are labeled with a letter.
Owl Card: You will need your Owl card to move in and access your residence hall. Make sure to download the Owl Ready App.

Financial Matters

Staying on top of your housing fees is crucial. Here’s what you need to know:

Payment Deadlines: Housing fees must be paid by the University payment deadline for each semester. Please refer to the Academic Calendar for these deadlines. The remainder of the housing fees are due when FAU tuition and fees are due.
Payment Methods: Payments may be made online at myfau.fau.edu.
Financial Aid: If you are not deferred by Financial Aid you must pay your student account in full or be enrolled in a payment plan by fee payment deadlines.
Insurance: FAU does not provide insurance for you or your property.

Getting to Know Your Roommate(s)

Building a positive relationship with your roommate(s) can significantly enhance your dorm experience.

Read also: All About Freshman Dorms at BU

Contact Information: Contact information is available through the housing portal; click on the upcoming semester to view occupant information.
Initial Conversation: Two main things you want to do in this initial conversation are to introduce yourself and to provide some information about your likes and dislikes. This is also a great time to discuss and coordinate what items you will be bringing to campus.
Conversation Starters: Some topics to get you started: Favorite music, food, movies or TV shows, your planned major or classes that you’ll be taking at FAU, what each of you will bring; TV, printer, fridge, microwave, etc.

Parking Information

If you plan to bring a vehicle to campus, here’s the parking information you need:

Registration: All residents must register their vehicle and license plate to park in green parking lots.

Room Furnishings and Amenities

Familiarize yourself with the furnishings provided in your dorm room:

Bed Sizes:
- Atlantic Park Towers, Glades Park Towers, Heritage Park Towers, Indian River Towers, Parliament Hall, and University Village Apartments feature extra-long twin beds measuring (36” X 80”).
- Beds in Innovation Village Apartments North and South feature standard full-size beds.
- For the Jupiter Campus, beds in RH1 and RH2 feature extra-long twin beds measuring (36” X 80”).
Provided Furniture: Every room on-campus is provided with a bed (extra-long twin 36” X 80” in all buildings except Innovation Village North and South which come with standard full-size beds), desk, desk chair, and dresser in every student room.
- Indian River Towers, University Village Apartments and Innovation Village Apartments also have furnishings provided in the common areas.
- Parliament Hall beds are lofted with desk/dresser under the bed.
- On the Jupiter Campus, all bedrooms are furnished with a bed, dresser, desk and desk chair per student.
Refrigerators:
- Students living in Innovation Village Apartments North and South are provided with a full-size refrigerator in the kitchen.
- Students living in University Village Apartments are provided with a full-size refrigerator in the kitchen.

Prohibited Items

Be aware of items that are not allowed in the residence halls:

Prohibited Appliances: No. Hot plates, deep fryers, toasters, grills, or any other appliance that have exposed heating elements are NOT permitted in any on-campus residence hall (HPT, GPT, IRT, PAR, UVA, BPWSH, IVAN, IVAS).
Permitted Appliances: Items that are permitted in the residence halls include: hot air popcorn poppers, small electric grills (i.e. George Foreman grill; no exposed heating element), toaster ovens, small convection ovens, microwaves, food processors, crock pots, blenders, electric mixers, coffee makers (that do not have exposed heating elements).

Important Deadlines and Requirements

Keep track of these important deadlines and requirements:

Roommate Request Deadline: May 1.
Immunization Records: Immunization records should be submitted no later than May 1. They should check their MyFAU for any Holds that may prevent them from registering.
Residency Form: Is your student a Florida resident seeking in-state tuition? Then they will want to complete the Residency Form to receive in-state tuition rates. can be found on the left side of the page. ” That link will have the required information to prove residency listed.

Getting Involved

Take advantage of the opportunities to get involved in campus life:

Read also: On-Campus Living at PSU

Residence Hall Events: Each residence hall offers events and activities to keep all students active and engaged.
Red and Blue Weeks: In addition, Red and Blue Weeks begin immediately, and offers numerous events and activities throughout the first few weeks of class. helps students make a fast, smooth, and easy transition to FAU.

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