UCF Roommate Matching: Tips for a Harmonious Living Experience

Navigating life with roommates, especially near the University of Central Florida (UCF), can be a rewarding experience with the right approach. Sharing a space requires understanding, open communication, and a proactive approach to setting expectations. Whether you are a transfer student, an international student, or a first-time renter, these tips will help you create a positive and peaceful living environment.

Building a Foundation: Move-In Day and Initial Communication

The roommate relationship begins even before move-in day. It's a great idea to start building a relationship with who you’ll be living with though social media or casual text conversation. This way, all the roommates can get to know one another and discuss things like décor and who is bringing what on move-in day - that way, you won’t end up with three toasters and a million spatulas!

When move-in day comes, aim to maintain a friendly and calm demeanor, even amidst the stress. Take your time moving in and work with your roommates to figure out how everyone’s items best fit in your apartment. This is a great opportunity to survey the space and voice your opinions and concerns with your roommate(s).

Establishing Clear Expectations: The Roommate Contract and Open Communication

One of the best ways to ensure a conflict-free environment is to be open and transparent with expectations. Consider drafting a "Roommate Contract," a set of basic ground rules and expectations that all parties agree to follow. While typically used in dorm settings, these contracts can be beneficial for off-campus living as well.

Even if a formal contract seems too rigid, having an open conversation about lifestyle, cleanliness, and preferences can set everyone up for success. Talk about important topics like quiet hours, cleaning responsibilities, what visitors you’re comfortable having and when, and boundaries regarding personal items. This is the ideal time to set standards for decorating shared spaces, inviting guests over, and the usage of communal objects.

Read also: Perfect College Roommate

Understanding that not everyone will become best friends with their roommates is essential. However, investing in developing those relationships can significantly improve the living situation. Consider an activity outside your UCF apartment, like a monthly brunch date, could help to build connection and create a smooth living situation. A courteous and respectful relationship is important, even if you don't always get along.

Addressing Conflict and Maintaining Respect

If conflict does arise, make sure to be clear in your communication and don't make it personal. It can be hard to get out of a signed lease, so getting off on a rocky start will make it uncomfortable for all involved. Make sure you maintain a level of respect. Usually, a way to avoid arguments is to bring up issues in a timely manner. If something really bothers you, bring it up in a constructive manner rather than letting it fester. At the same time, make sure you have had time to cool down and collect yourself before going straight into confrontation.

Transfer Student Housing Tips

For transfer students, finding housing near UCF involves additional considerations.

Getting to Know Orlando and UCF

UCF has experienced awesome growth and has solidified Orlando as a university town. When beginning your search for an apartment near UCF, you'll want to focus on the Winter Park neighborhood as well as Downtown, depending on the location of your classes. These neighborhoods are closest to UCF campus locations and offer prime transportation routes to make your commute to campus easy and stress free. Additionally, these neighborhoods offer plenty of student housing options with individual leases, entertainment and dining options for all interests.

Timing Your Apartment Search

Understanding the leasing timelines is crucial. If you're planning a Fall semester program start, the best time to plan to sign a lease is between December through February for a Fall move-in. It's also not uncommon for transfer students to start during a Spring or Summer semester. If you're planning a move to start your program during the Spring, you'll ideally want to sign your lease between September through early December of the year prior to the Spring Semester. For a Summer start, plan to sign a lease during February or March.

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Utilizing Roommate Matching Programs

As a transfer student to UCF, you may not know other students in the community or have roommates already arranged to share housing with. This is a great time to take advantage of roommate matching programs common at Orlando student housing communities. Through a survey or questionnaire, you'll share some information about your interests and habits and get matched with other roommates to share an apartment with. If living solo in a one-bedroom apartment, which is also an option, doesn't appeal to you then roommate matching is a great way to begin meeting friends in your new community. We also encourage you to get involved in campus activities and organizations that align with your interests.

General Tips for Renting Student Apartments Near UCF

Regardless of whether you're a transfer student or not, these tips can help you find the right apartment:

Start Early

Apartments near UCF are consistently in a state of high demand and are notorious for selling out early. You’ll want to start your apartment search in October and begin attending tours for communities on your short list no later than January. Plan to sign a lease by March, as most apartments near the University of Central Florida campus will sell out between March and May, leaving latecomers with limited options. Don’t miss out on a great apartment waiting for a last-minute deal, as apartment communities in the UCF market don’t typically offer leasing specials. The early bird gets the worm: Don't delay!

Set a Budget

In comparison to other student housing markets, apartments near UCF are fairly expensive. Due to the high demand for apartments in Orlando, especially those around the University, renters should consider what’s included in the rent when evaluating an apartment’s price. At first glance apartment A may seem like the better deal, but if you have to pay for parking each month it may cost more than apartment B which includes parking in the monthly rent.

Consider Location

With thousands of students coming and going at any given moment, commuters are likely to face traffic delays and congestion when driving around the UCF area. Use Google Maps to see what your route to the campus may look like during peak travel times. Or, choose an apartment on the UCF Shuttle route to avoid honking horns, costly parking permits, overcrowded campus parking lots, and rising gas prices altogether. The Shuttle picks up at the front of over 20 UCF apartments and drops off at popular destinations on and off campus like the Student Union, Kings Plaza, and the library. Just flash the driver your student ID and enjoy the free ride to class! Location, location, location.

Read also: Find Your Ideal Roommate

Roommate Matching Services

As a student, every penny counts! Consider sharing your space with a couple of fellow Knights to split the costs and stay within budget. Choose a 3- or 4-bedroom apartment with a split floorplan and individual bathrooms to maintain your privacy. Many apartments near UCF offer roommate matching services and individual (by-the-bed) leases, with which you’re only held responsible for your portion of the apartment. Share your space with confidence, knowing you’re protected in the event your roommate causes damages or is unable to pay rent.

Widen Your Search

If apartments near UCF begin to sell out, don’t panic! There are a wide-variety of student-housing options in Orlando, including apartments near Full Sail in the Winter Park area - a short 15-minute drive from the University of Central Florida campus. This area, similar to UCF, is home to a big college population and a wealth of student-friendly apartments.

Deeper Dive into Roommate Matching

Finding the right roommate can significantly impact your off-campus living experience.

Five Steps to Finding a UCF Roommate

Use Roommate Matching Services: Many apartment communities near UCF offer roommate matching services designed to pair you with someone compatible. You'll typically fill out a questionnaire about your lifestyle preferences, such as sleeping habits, study routines, and cleanliness. These services can help you avoid awkward situations by connecting you with someone who shares similar habits.
Red Flags to Watch For: Choosing the wrong roommate can lead to stressful situations, so it's important to be mindful of potential red flags. Poor communication, inconsistent stories, and disrespect for boundaries are all warning signs.
Setting Expectations Early: Once you've chosen a roommate, it's crucial to set clear expectations to avoid misunderstandings. Discuss household responsibilities, talk about guests, agree on shared expenses, and create a communication plan.
Friends vs. Roommates: Living with friends can be great, but it can also complicate the roommate dynamic. Make sure you can separate friendship from living arrangements.

UCF Housing Options and Agreements

UCF Housing and Residence Life is proud to offer a variety of residential communities to UCF students. There are many types of available floorplans and price points ranging from traditional shared suites to 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom, luxury apartments. A shared suite typically accommodates two students to a bedroom, and two bedrooms (4 students) share a bathroom. Apartments can accommodate 2 to 6 students and typically feature private bedrooms, with shared living rooms and kitchens or kitchenettes.

Housing Agreement Types

With different styles and agreement lengths, we are often asked, “how do I choose?” There are a variety of different factors that can help you narrow down which agreement type is best for you. Keep in mind, that no matter where you live, all residence halls have similar amenities such as high-speed Wi-Fi, laundry facilities, included utilities (no caps), maintenance services, and activities like social programs and events.

Academic Agreement: includes the option of living at the following communities for TWO semesters (Fall and Spring).
Annual Agreement: includes the option of living at the following communities for THREE semesters (Fall, Spring, and the following Summer).
Although considered an Academic Agreement, Rosen residents have the option to add a summer semester. Residents living in Rosen do not have to vacate their space during winter break.

Applying for Housing

Students are encouraged to apply for on-campus housing immediately upon admission to UCF as on-campus housing fills up quickly. First-year students are given preference for housing on the Orlando main campus. The Rosen College Apartments agreement includes Fall and Spring, with the option of adding Summer.

Apply and submit your prepayment during the lottery or application window in order to be considered for the type of housing you have selected. Your housing agreement status will be updated from “submitted” to “confirmed” when we verify that we have space for you in the housing agreement you selected.

Roommate Matching at UCF Housing

Roommate Matching is an offered service to help you find preferred roommates. These matches should be viewed as requests and preferences only. All roommate requests are subject to availability and UCF Housing reserves the right to assign students as needed. It’s a great idea to have your web screen name available during Roommate Matching and that of any specific students you’d like to request as roommates. Every student is assigned a unique web screen name, which can be used to search for specific students or message potential roommates.

Fall agreements for Academic Main, Towers, Rosen, and NorthView will allow groups made of up to four individuals. Each applicant has the opportunity to create a profile for roommate matching purposes. Students are assigned a screen name based upon their last name only. Students are able to write a short description of themselves for potential matches to see. Additionally, there is a message function on the Housing Portal so they may screen potential matches before selecting them.

Open Housing Option

UCF Housing and Residence Life offers an Open Housing option to students of all classifications and in all housing agreement types. Open Housing allows students to reside together in the same room, suite, or apartment, regardless of sex. When students complete a housing application, they will be given the opportunity to opt in to Open Housing. Students who do not opt in to Open Housing will roommate match and room select with students who have the same sex listed on their myUCF. Students opting in to Open Housing will only be able to roommate match with other students of the same housing agreement type who have opted in to Open Housing.

Students will not be automatically placed in an Open Housing suite/apartment unless they have indicated on their agreement that they would be comfortable living in Open Housing. Students must be able to fill all spaces in the suite/apartment with other students who have requested Open Housing during room selection. Open Housing is the students’ decision and will never not be forced upon an individual. Vacancies in suites and apartments will be filled by another individual opting in to Open Housing if possible. UCF DHRL may initiate consolidation procedures to prevent spaces in Open Housing from being left vacant. UCF DHRL encourages students to discuss this program with their parents/guardians before selecting Open Housing. This program is not designed for use by romantic couples. Requesting Open Housing does not guarantee a specific room type or building.

Room Selection Process

Select your room assignment online with your roommate group during the online room selection process from May through July. Your room selection appointment times are determined based on when you completed your housing application. Rooms are available on a first applied, first served basis.

Housing Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

Students seeking housing accommodations due to a disability work with Student Accessibility Services (SAS) and the Department of Housing and Residence Life (DHRL) to determine appropriate arrangements. Students needing an accommodation may choose to have DHRL Staff assign housing based on their approved accommodation, or they may choose to use the priority room selection process and select the housing of their choice.

UCF provides reasonable housing accommodations for students with disabilities and offers two options once an accommodation is approved by Student Accessibility Services (SAS). Students may either have DHRL Staff assign them to a space that best meets their accommodation-prior to room selection and at the base rate for their Housing Agreement Type-or use the priority room selection process to choose their own space early, potentially with preferred roommates. Those who select housing beyond their approved accommodation will pay the corresponding rate for that room type. Accommodations requests are determined by Student Accessibility Services in connection with Housing and Residence Life.

Returning Residents

We encourage our returning residents to consider all living options to find the best fit for them. On-campus housing priority is given to FTIC or first-year students, so there is limited space for upperclassmen. Utilize our resources for helping you find off-campus housing, and if applying for the lottery, consider having a backup plan in case you do not receive a spot on campus.

Applications for returning residents interested in living in the Rosen College Apartments open in early January, independent of the lottery process. There is no lottery for Rosen agreements.

Lottery System

The random selection lottery process will take place from January 13 - January 23. Returning Residents, off-campus students, transfer students, and graduate students are eligible to apply and submit a prepayment during the lottery window to be entered into the lottery for the type of housing selected. Options for on-campus housing through the lottery system include two annual-year agreements (Towers at Knights Plaza and Northview).

Students who were not offered a space through the initial drawing are placed in a waitlist pool and their status will be updated to Waitlisted. The waitlist pool is not ranked, and students may remain in the pool for spaces that may become available at a later date. Remaining in the waitlist pool does not guarantee space, and students are encouraged to seek out off-campus housing options.

International Students at UCF

As one of the largest universities in the United States, the University of Central Florida is home to over 3,400 international students from 137 countries.

Important Steps for International Students

Complete the undergraduate application online. International students must declare a major for admission.
Complete the graduate application online.
Make sure you know the deadlines for submitting application materials.
UCF Global will issue a Form I-20 or DS-2019 upon your request.
All Form I-20 Requests must be submitted through the myINTL portal. To access myINTL, you will need your Network ID (NID) and password.
All Form DS-2019 Requests must be submitted through the myINTL portal. To access myINTL, you will need your Network ID (NID) and password.
As an international applicant to UCF, the immigration documents (including financial support) are not needed for an academic decision to be made on your application. If you would like to wait to submit these documents until after an admissions decision is made, that is not a problem.
Pay the SEVIS I-901 Fee. The SEVIS I-901 Fee is a mandatory government fee that all incoming students must pay at least 3 days before their visa interview. The SEVIS I-901 Fee can be paid online at fmjfee.com. Students will need to enter the information that appears on their Form I-20 or DS-2019 issued by UCF.
Pay the visa application fee. Embassy or Consulate where they will apply for their visa for detailed instructions on how to pay the visa application fee. The current fee is $185 USD.
Students who have been issued a Form I-20 or DS-2019 from multiple schools must apply for their visa using for Form I-20 or DS-2019 issued by UCF.
at another institution, will need to have their SEVIS record electronically transferred to UCF prior to the start of classes.
All international students admitted to undergraduate, graduate, and pathway programs need to complete an online orientation in WebCourses. This orientation includes important information students need to know before arriving to campus.
Certain graduate programs may require a specific departmental orientation.
Students are strongly encouraged to arrive at least 1 or 2 weeks prior to the start of classes, or at least before classes begin.
Keep in mind that F-1 and J-1 students making an initial entry into the USA with a valid F-1 or J-1 visa can arrive up to 30 days prior to the program start date listed on the Form I-20 or DS-2019.
Most students choose to arrive at the Orlando International Airport (MCO). It is a 30-minute drive to the UCF main campus. Taxis are readily available at the airport and shuttle services can also be arranged in advance and are often less expensive than taxis. Ride share services (Uber, Lyft) are also available.
Students in these programs may check in in-person during an in-person orientation at UCF Global.
At the Global Knights Welcome Event, students will receive important reminders about their first few weeks at UCF and have a chance to meet other new students, their Global Student Ambassadors, and the UCF Global Team.

Estimated Annual Expenses for International Students

The following charts provide the estimated annual expenses for international students at the University of Central Florida. Students must submit financial documents demonstrating the amount listed for their program. ** Fees are subject to change without notice. Undergraduate tuition is based on 12 credit hours, while graduate tuition is based on 9 credit hours for fall and spring enrollment. Students may be required to enroll in additional credit hours per semester depending on their program schedule. Students should check with their academic department regarding enrollment requirements. Please note some programs may have different tuition and fee rates. Due to rising costs, financial planning should allow for a 5 to 10 percent annual increase in living expenses and/or tuition.

If your financial support will come from your personal funds, you may submit a recent official bank letter or statement only. If your financial support is from anyone other than yourself, you are required to submit an affidavit of support that must be signed by your sponsor, along with a recent bank letter or statement from your sponsor’s account. You may provide a recent sanctioned educational loan letter including terms and conditions such as fund availability date and total loan amount.

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