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. A $600 residence deposit, submitted when an offer of a residence guarantee is made, is part of the overall residence fee.
Your residence fee includes:
- Your accommodations – which vary by residence
- Access to residence facilities, including study rooms, game rooms and laundry facilities
- Wireless Internet in each residence building (more info)
All students living in residence are required to purchase a meal plan. Meal plan costs are not included in the residence fees quoted.
There is also a separate Residence Life activity fee of $49.10*. This fee is not included in the residence and meal plan fees quoted.
*Subject to change.
How Much Will Residence Cost?*
2018-19
| Lofted Triple/Quad | $5,800 |
| Lofted Triple Room with Access to Single-User Washroom | $6,100 |
| Triple Room | $6,300 |
| Quad Room | $6,500 |
| Double Room | $6,650 |
| Double Room with Access to Single-User Washroom | $6,975 |
| Double Room with Ensuite Washroom | $7,300 |
| Single Room | $7,600 |
| Single Room with Access to Single-User Washroom | $7,650 |
| Single Room with Ensuite Washroom | $7,950 |
| Apartment – 2 Person (Double Room) | $7,900 |
| Apartment – 4/6 Person (Single Room) | $8,325 |
| Suite – 4 person (Single Room) | $8,825 |
* Pending University approval
Meal Plan
Residence Meal Plan is an integral component of living in any of the McMaster University Residences. As a student living in Residence, you must make a meal plan selection based on the residence building assigned to you. For students who do not choose a meal plan, a Regular Meal Plan from the applicable mandatory group will be added to your fees.
The meal plan fees quotes are for September – April 2018-19. Please visit the Hospitality Services website for further meal plan information.
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.
How Much Will My Meal Plan Cost?*
2018-19
Meal Plan Option |
Group A(Full Meal Plans)** |
Group B(Reduced Meal Plans)** |
| Minimum | $4,135 | $2,975 |
| Light | $4,335 | $3,175 |
| Regular | $4,535 | $3,375 |
| Varsity | $4,735 | $3,575 |
*Pending University Approval
**Certain residence buildings are limited to certain meal plans
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.
Activity & Programming Fees
Pay-as-you-go opportunities, giving you the option to get involved in the life and activities of your residence and/or LLC. These activities include intramurals, off-campus events in Hamilton and the GTA, game nights organized by your CA’s and much more.
Room Cleaning Service
Registration is now open for our Residence Room Cleaning Services. You can have your room, bathroom or suite cleaned every other week.
Laundry
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.
- Coldwater $1.50
- Warm water $1.65
- Hot Water $1.80
- Dryer $1.60
*Prices may vary per building
Fridge 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. Residence students are not permitted to bring personal refrigerators into the residence buildings.
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.
Printing & Photocopying
At McMaster, you’ll use the Printsmart system to print and photocopy across campus. There are printers available in many of the residence buildings, libraries and other campus buildings. To learn more and set up your account visit Printsmart.
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
McMaster is not responsible for the loss or damage to your belongings while you live in residence. To ensure your stuff is safe, double check that some form of householder or tenant’s insurance package covers you.