Skip to McMaster Navigation Skip to Site Navigation Skip to main content
McMaster logo

Housing & Conference Services

Living At McMaster

Residence Fees & Other Costs

Coming to university is a big financial investment in your future and there are some costs that you may not have yet planned for. During first-year, you’ll have to budget for everything from textbooks to transportation. Read on for information on some of the costs you can expect while living in residence, as well as the most frequently asked questions we get about these fees!

Residence Fees

Students are responsible for paying the full residence fee for their assigned room. Students approved for guaranteed residence will be required to pay a residence deposit, submitted with their residence application.

The deposit to secure your residence space goes towards the overall residence fees.

Your residence fee includes:

  • Your furnished accommodations (which vary by room type)
  • Room type fees will be charged to your Mosaic Student Account and split into Fall term and Winter term payments.
  • Access to residence facilities, including study rooms, common area kitchens and laundry facilities (laundry is a separate cost)
  • Wireless Internet in each residence building (more information can be found here)

Other Fees

  • Meal Plan Fees: All students living in residence will need to purchase a meal plan. Meal plan costs are not included in the residence fees quoted.
  • Residence Life Health and Wellbeing Fee: Students will be charged $44.00 CAD.
  • Student Property and Liability Insurance Program: Students living in residence will be enrolled in the insurance program. This insurance covers your personal belongings, and protects you against loss or damage that you may be liable for an annual premium of $80 CAD ($86.40, including tax). For more information, please visit Student Property and Liability Insurance Program.

 

Meal Plan

All students living in residence are required to purchase a meal plan. For more information including pricing please visit the Hospitality Services website.

Meal plans can be changed in the Housing Portal until August 6, 2024. After this deadline, any meal plan change requests should be submitted in writing to Mac Express Centre at express@mcmaster.ca.

Have Specific Dietary Needs? Please visit the Dietary Restrictions page on the Hospitality Services website for details on how your dietary needs can be accommodated on campus.

Visit Hospitality Services

How Much Will Residence Cost?*

2024-2025

Room Type Full Year Fee (Fall 2024 – September to April 2025)
Quad (4 person traditional room) $6,475.00
Triple Room $6,700.00
Double Room $8,590.00
Double Room with Access to Single-User Washroom $8,975.00
Double Room with Twin Bed and Connected Shared Washroom $9,350.00
Double Room with Twin Bed and Ensuite Washroom $9,350.00
Double Room with Double Bed and Connected Shared Washroom $9,550.00
Double Room with Double Bed and Ensuite Washroom $9,550.00
Single Room $9,650.00
Apartment – 4/6 Person (Single Room) $10,125.00
Apartment – 2 Person (Double Room) $10,125.00
Single Room with Access to Single-User Washroom $10,150.00
Single Room with Twin Bed and Ensuite Washroom $10,700.00
Single Room with Connected Shared Washroom $10,800.00
Single Room with Double Bed and Ensuite Washroom $10,800.00
Suite – 4 person (Single Room) $10,950.00
Super-Single Room with Connected Shared Washroom $10,950.00

*Fees still pending approval for 2024-25 academic year, and are subject to change.

** Fall Term Only Administrative Fee for filling bed space after departure – $330.00

View our Room Types

Other Costs to Consider

Property Tax Credit for Residence

As a residence student, you may claim a property tax credit of $25 when you file your income tax return; this does not require a receipt. This is the only claim you may make for residence expenses. Your residence fees are not deductible; therefore, the University does not issue tax receipts.

Laundry Laundry Guide

All McMaster residence buildings have laundry rooms that you can use with your refillable laundry card that you will receive get on move-in day or can purchase from the residence service centres.

  • Cold water $1.50
  • Warm water $1.65
  • Hot Water $1.80
  • Dryer $1.60

*Prices may vary per building

Fridge Rental Coldex Refrigerator Rental

Want to keep some snacks on hand? Students interested in having a refrigerator in their room can make arrangements with the University’s contractor Coldex, for rental of a 3 or 5 cubic foot refrigerator.

On-Campus Parking

If you decide to bring a vehicle to campus, you must be prepared to pay for parking. Students can buy parking pass per semester or per year for one of our many on and surrounding campus parking lots. Visit Parking & Security to learn more.

Room Lock-Out Fees

We’ve removed the majority of fees from the room lock-out process. If you lock yourself out of your room, don’t worry about it. Simply visit your nearest Service Centre to borrow a spare key and get back into your room. If you need tips on how to remember your keys, talk to your CA’s for some helpful advice. After 8 lock-outs per semester, fees will be incurred.

Tenant Insurance Learn More

McMaster is not responsible for the loss or damage to your belongings while you live in residence. To ensure your stuff is safe, lock your room doors, do not let unauthorized people into your building, and double check that some form of household or tenant’s insurance package covers you for fire, injury, or damaged caused by the student, property damage and personal/public liability.