Housing Assignment Cancellation

On This Page
Plan Ahead and Save Time and Money
Cancellation Fee Schedule
Why do you need to cancel with HAO
How to cancel your housing assignment
Exchanges, Internships and Exemptions

Plan Ahead and Save Time and Money!

Your residence hall assignment and contract is for the full academic year. However, each semester a number of students make alternative plans for the upcoming semester. Students are encouraged to cancel during the free cancellation fee period if they make alternative plans for the upcoming semester.

Cancellation Fee Schedule:

Spring 2010

Please note: Students who cancel after the halls close for fall semester will be required to return to campus to remove their belongings prior to the halls re-opening for spring 2010.  Failure to do so will result in additional blocked rooms fees and improper check out fees being charged.  Students who cancel their on-campus housing after the residence halls have opened for the semester are also subject to the rent refund schedule as outlined under rates and fees.

Why does a student need to cancel his/her assignment, application or contract with the Housing Assignment Office?

Students who hold an on-campus assignment or students required to live on campus who have submitted an application have entered a legally-binding agreement with the University. This agreement secures housing with the expectation that once this housing is not needed, the Housing Assignment Office will be notified in a timely manner.

For non-required students who have either submitted an application or selected an assignment for on-campus housing, you have also entered a legally binding agreement with the University. You are expected to notify the Housing Assignment Office directly if you are planning to cancel that application or an assignment and are subject to the cancellation fee schedule.

Students are required under the residence hall contract to cancel their housing directly with the Housing Assignment Office within the appropriate times to avoid receiving a cancellation fee. Any student who plans on canceling their assignment or application are expected to cancel their housing directly with the Housing Assignment Office by either calling 413.545.2100 or visiting the Housing Assignment Office at 235 Whitmore. Parents and guardians are not eligible to cancel a housing assignment for a student.

Cancelling Your Residence Hall Contract and Spring 2010 Assignment and/or Application

Current residents who selected an assignment for housing for spring 2010 are responsible for cancelling their housing. If you are not living on campus for spring 2010, you must cancel your contract and assignment by calling 413.545.2100 or coming in person to 235 Whitmore. Please note the cancellation reasons and fee schedule.

The following students are subject to the cancellation fee schedule:
• Students withdrawing or transferring from the university
• Students graduating mid-year or that have secured housing for upcoming semester
• Students going on exchange, abroad, co-op or internship
• Students returning to their home university while being on exchange at UMass
• Students withdrawing for medical reason
• Students removed from housing due to a Judicial sanction
• Students who choose to commute or seek an exemption
• Students planning to live off campus
• Students accepting a Residence Life position
• Students planning to live in Hillel House
• Students planning to live in a University approved Fraternity/Sorority

Exchanges, Internships and Exemptions

Exchange/Internship

To avoid the cancellation fee, you must have cancelled your housing assignment by 5:00 PM on Friday, December 4, 2009. Students who cancel for reason exchange are subject to the cancellation fee schedule. You must contact the HAO directly by phone or in person to request a cancellation of your spring 2010 housing. UMASS students who go on exchange and/or a university-sponsored internship are guaranteed on-campus housing when they return if they submit a housing eligibility form at the time of cancellation of their spring 2010 assignment.

Committee Exemptions

Freshmen are required to live on campus. To seek an exemption from the housing requirement for Spring 2010, you must submit an exemption application to the Housing Assignment Office. The exemption application can be downloaded and printed from the Housing Assignment home page. If you currently hold an assignment, the last day to cancel for free is December 4, 2009 at 5:00 PM. If a student seeking an exemption after this date holds an on-campus assignment, they are subject to the cancellation fee schedule. These students have the option to cancel their assignment prior to approval of their exemption. However, if not exempt, charges for housing will remain on their bill, in addition to the specified cancellation fee.

Commuter Exemptions

If a student is planning on living with a parent or guardian within a 40 mile radius of the university, then a commuter card must be filled out and returned to the Housing Assignment Office. Similarly, these students are subject to the cancellation fee schedule if they hold an on-campus assignment. Commuter students may cancel for free through 5:00pm on December 4, 2009. Please contact or visit the HAO to request a commuter card.

Greek Exemptions

If a student is planning on living in a Greek house then a Greek card must be filled out.  The Greek card can be picked up from the Housing Assignments Office in 235 Whitmore Administration Building.

Thinking of Transferring or Taking Time Off?

All students must cancel by 5:00pm on December 4, 2009 to avoid a cancellation fee. The date you cancel your housing determines the cancellation fee. This schedule is posted above. For students who plan to transfer or withdraw, please contact the Housing Assignment Office to request a cancellation.

Who is eligible to cancel their on-campus housing assignment, application or contract?

The University requires that all freshmen and sophomore students live on campus. Before making arrangements to move off campus, please make sure you are eligible to cancel your housing assignment.

Remember: submitting withdrawal paperwork with another office on campus does not constitute a cancellation of an on-campus housing assignment, application, or contract. You must contact the Housing Assignment Office to cancel.

Students hold a separate contract with the Housing Assignment Office and therefore are responsible for cancelling with the Housing Assignment Office. A student's housing assignment is only cancelled by contacting the Housing Assignment Office in person or by phone and will not be cancelled in any other manner.

You are exempt from the residency requirement and eligible to cancel if you are:

• A sophomore (more than 27 credits), junior, senior or graduate student.
• A student who has lived on campus at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst for two semesters.
• A married, divorced, or separated student who has documented this status with the Housing Assignment Office.
• A parent of dependent children who has provided documentation to the HAO.
• A veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces who has submitted a DD214 to the HAO.
• A sophomore who is a member of an approved sorority or fraternity who has submitted a Greek Card to the HAO.
• A commuting student living with your parent(s) or court-appointed guardian(s) within a 40-mile radius of the Amherst campus who has filed a Commuter Card at the HAO.
• A student who has submitted and been approved of a committee exemption through the HAO.
• A student who has been approved to live in the Hillel House who has submitted a confirmation letter to the HAO.