FAQs and Answers

A: As you go through the online application-contract process, you will be asked to read and signify your understanding of the Housing Terms and Conditions.

Submission of the online application-contract indicates that you agree to abide by the contract terms and conditions and that you consent to the policies described in the document.

You will also be asked to submit a $25 housing application fee and a $100 housing pre-payment within the application - contract channel on the Housing application portal. A Visa, MasterCard, or Discover credit or debit card is needed to pay your housing application charge and make your initial housing payment.

A: Students moving in for the Fall 2023 semester will receive their housing assignment in July 2023. Those that apply after the first round of housing assignments are sent, will be sent theirs as they complete their Housing Applications. 

Once an assignment has been made, the student will receive an email at his/her GSU address with information about the assignment and assigned roommate(s).

A: Application-contracts are accepted on a "first-come, first-served" basis and admission to Governors State University is not a guarantee of housing.

The housing application is currently available to all ENROLLED students. 

If you have any questions about the process please contact us at: 708.235.7110 or via email at housing@govst.edu. 

If you need information about the admissions process please contact Admissions at 708.534.4490 or admissions@govst.edu.

The fall 2023 housing application will be available starting March 28, 2023.

The summer 2023 housing application will be available starting March 7, 2023.

A: There are two types of housing contracts. Housing rates are based on the housing accommodations and the type of contract selected.  

The academic year contract covers housing for the Fall 2023 and Spring 2024 semesters. Breaks such as winter, spring and summer, are at an additional cost and are billed on a nightly basis. The nightly cost depends on the type of housing accommodation a student has. University Housing strongly recommends that first year students sign up for the Academic Year Contract, which does not require enrollment in summer classes.

The 12 month contract runs from August 2023 through August 2024 and includes all breaks. Students that have a 12 month contract with housing will be billed every term (Fall, Spring, Summer) which will equal the entire cost of their contract. In addition, the acceptance of a 12 month contract commits the student to attending summer school for at least 3 credit hours.  

Students with a 12 month contract who decide not to stay in housing during a break will not receive a reduction in cost. Please review the Floor Plans & Rates page for information on the cost of the two contracts relating to each specific housing accommodation.

A: It's impossible to predict how early you would have to turn in your contract to get into University Housing. Although your chances are enhanced the earlier you turn in your contract, it is still no guarantee.

A: A $100 initial prepayment and a $25 housing application fee is required to complete the online university housing application-contract. You will be asked to submit your housing payment within the university housing application-contract channel. You will need a Visa, MasterCard, Discover credit or debit card to complete the transaction.

A: Yes. Your financial aid award can be used toward paying for on-campus housing. The cost for housing will be applied directly to your student account each semester just like any financial aid you have been awarded.

A: A Request for Cancellation of the contract before moving into university housing (checking out keys), and prior to the applicable opening day of University Housing, will be accepted with one of the following guidelines:

1. A written request for cancellation received on or before June 1, 2023, for the fall semester or January 1, 2024, for the spring semester (new spring semester applicants only) will result in the refund of the $100 pre-paid housing payment.
2. A written request for cancellation received after June 1, 2023, for the fall semester, or January 1, 2024, for the spring semester (new spring semester applicants only) but prior to the Friday before the first day of classes each semester will result in forfeiture of the $100 pre-paid housing payment.
3. Approved cancellations after the first day of the semester will result in a prorated charge for usage of the room and a $250 assessment for an early release.

A request for cancellation of the University Housing Contract (before semester starts) OR a Petition for Contract Release (after the semester has started) must be done by logging into the student portal, clicking on the HOUSING tab and selecting the TAKE CARE OF BUSINESS link.

A: Suite (room with roommate and shared bath)
Four Bedroom Apartment (single occupancy bedroom)
Two Bedroom Apartment (single occupancy bedroom)
Two Bedroom Apartment (share bedroom with roommate)

More information about the above housing options may be found by viewing the housing floor plans.

A: If you need special accommodations because of a disability, medical need or transgender identity, you may list them on the housing application. If the need arises after the housing application was submitted, please contact University Housing at 708.235.7110 or housing@govst.edu

A: Not all first year students may live with another first year student - we try to accommodate mutual roommate requests of incoming students who know a student already enrolled at GSU or who is a transfer student. When University Housing staff members make new student assignments, we work to assign students of similar academic standing to a room or apartment. Please note that we will also make assignments based on the preference information you provide in your application regarding your Room Preferences, Roommate Preferences, and the Roommate Profile Questionnaire.

A: Not necessarily.  The third floor of the building provides housing for graduate and upper-class residents. We understand that student needs and styles may change at different stages of their academic career. We will do our best to accommodate students’ preferences. While filling out your application, make sure you state your roommate preferences. We will make assignments based on the preference information you provide in your application regarding your Room Preferences, Roommate Preferences, and the Roommate Profile Questionnaire.

A: Once an assignment has been made, you will not be able to request a room change until after the first 10 days of classes in the semester.

A: Yes. We will make matches based on the information you provide in your application regarding your Room Preferences, Roommate Preferences, and the Roommate Profile Questionnaire.

When filling out your application, make sure you choose your preferred characteristics in a roommate and we will match you to the best of our ability.

You will also have an opportunity on the housing application to identify a specific student you would like to have as a roommate and/or apartment mate. You will need identify the students email address under Roommate Preferences in your application. We will work to accommodate this request provided both (all) students have identified the other student as a preferred roommate on their applications.

A: If you know someone you want to live with - whether it's a friend from high school, a friend who is transferring to GSU or a friend who is already at GSU - you will be able to identify them as a roommate preference through the assignment website.

A: To be a good roommate, you have to be willing to negotiate and to compromise on some things and understand your roommate rights and responsibilities, even though it's not always easy. In order to avoid conflicts, at the beginning of every year roommates are required to sit down together and fill out a Roommate Bill of Rights. The Bill of Rights helps roommates talk through some of the most frequent areas of conflict, such as guests/visitors to the room, use of the TV, whether or not to share items (like food), etc. If, during the course of the semester, a conflict arises that you and your roommate are unable to resolve, you should talk to your RA or Residence Hall Director. If both you and your roommate have tried to resolve a conflict and have not succeeded, you may decide you don't want to live together. At that point, if there is space available, it may be possible for the RHD to reassign you. If not, then you may have to wait until second semester to make a room change.

Once a student has been assigned, we do not make room assignment changes before the school year begins. Students should come, move in to their assigned space, and meet roommates before making judgments on compatibility. The University has a 10-day room freeze - meaning, during the first 10 class days of the fall and spring semester no room changes occur. This is in order for us to determine whether everyone assigned a space has arrived on campus.

A: Yes. Guests are allowed 24 hours a day, seven days a week in University Housing. A guest may stay a maximum of 48 hours within a seven-day period with the permission of your roommate. Residents in violation of this policy may have their hosting privileges revoked.

All guests (male and female) must be accompanied by a resident of the residence hall at all times. All guests must be registered at the Residence Hall main desk. Residents should understand that ‘visitation’ is a privilege and that it does not take precedence over a roommate’s right to study, sleep and have privacy.

GSU commuter students have the option to select a convenient & flexible meal plan that can specifically be used for food and beverage purchases on the GSU campus. The meal plan is available to all enrolled GSU students and can be use in the GSU Café, Prairie Place C-store, and for purchases made via the GSU Eat Well on Campus App.  Residents of Prairie Place will be assigned a Meal Plan according to their housing assignment type.

The cost of the meal plan is placed directly on your student account.  Students who have sufficient financial aid will be able to pay for the meal plan with financial aid like any other charge on their student account. There are three declining balance meal plan options available:

GOLD PLAN - $1500/semester:  Recommended for students who live in the suite style housing units or who are living in an apartment but don’t want to cook and are planning to purchase food or beverages on campus daily.

SILVER PLAN - $1000/semester: Recommended for students who will be eating regularly on campus but don’t plan to purchase food or beverages daily. This meal plan will be assigned to all Prairie Place residents.

BRONZE PLAN - $500/semester: Recommended for students who only plan to purchase occasional meals or beverages at the café. 

Unlike meal plans on many other campuses, the GSU Meal Plan Program provides you with maximum flexibility and value:
•    Use is not limited to only designated meal plans
•    Not limited to a specific number of meals/week
•    Carry out meals permitted
•    Treat your family and friends to food/beverage in the Café or C-Store
•    Meal Plan monies not used by the end of the spring semester will be forfeited

Click HERE for more information about the GSU Meal Plan options.

A: The university supplies a desk, chair, wardrobe/dresser unit, a bed and extra-long twin mattress (36" wide x 80" long) for each student. Window coverings, garbage can and recycling bin, cable television and internet access are also provided at no additional cost. Apartment units also contain full kitchens with appliances and living room furniture.

Each residence hall floor has lounges for study and socializing as well as a community kitchen for programs and use by students. A laundry room, vending machines and a convenience store is located on the first floor of the hall.

A: You should bring your own extra-long twin sheets, blankets, bedspread and pillow. All rooms have cable TV outlets and wireless internet. However, you must provide your own cable cord and bring your own computer.

Please review the University Housing Handbook for additional information on appliances and other apartment furnishings that are permitted or prohibited.

A: Academic Year Contract residents that sign up to stay in Prairie Place for the winter and/or spring breaks will be charged a nightly rate based on what type of housing unit they are assigned to. 

Please contact University Housing office to determine what the nightly rate for your housing room style is: 708-235-7110

A: Yes. There are professional and paraprofessional (resident assistants, or RAs) staff working and living in the residence hall. The staff provides opportunities for each resident to enhance their personal, interpersonal and educational development. Residents are encouraged to talk to their RA or the professional staff about any concerns or questions they have. The Reception Desk is staffed 24/7 with student employees and community police officers.

A: The application process to become a Resident Assistant for the next school year begins in March. If you have questions about how to become a RA for the 2023-2024 school year please contact our office at housing@govst.edu.

A: There are numerous jobs available for students. Please check out the Career Services employment site for more information.

A: Yes. Parking is available for no additional cost. Students are required to display a residential permit on their cars in the rear driver's window at all times and park their cars in the designated aisle in West Lot 2 (between the hours of 10pm to 8am). There is also a small parking lot adjacent to the residence hall that is assigned on a first come first serve basis. The cost for a RESERVED space in this gated residential lot is $50/semester. Please note that the $50/semester is in addition to the Parking and Walkway Fee paid by all enrolled students.

You must register your car or apply for the reserved parking lot by logging into the student portal, clicking on the HOUSING tab and selecting the TAKE CARE OF BUSINESS link.

A: At this time we do not have family housing available.  It may be considered in the future when we expand our on-campus housing program.

A: Pets are not permitted in Prairie Place.

If you have a documented need for an Assistance Animal, you can submit a request to have your assistance animal live on campus. Please click here for the Governors State University Assistance Animal Policy and Agreement.