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. Fall term payments are due by September 15, and Winter term payments are due by January 15.
- 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 $45.00 CAD. This fee is non-refundable.
- 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 $85 CAD ($91.80, including tax). For more information, please visit Student Property and Liability Insurance Program.
How Much Will Residence Cost?
The below fees are pending McMaster University approval (last updated March 20, 2025).
| Room Type | Full-Year Fee (Fall 2025 – September to April 2026) | Fall 2025 Term Only Fee * |
Winter 2026 Term Only Fee |
| Quad – 4 Person (Traditional Room) | $6,475.00 | $3,577.50 | $3,237.50 |
| Triple – 3 Person (Traditional Room) | $6,700.00 | $3,690.00 | $3,350.00 |
| Double Room | $9,025.00 | $4,852.50 | $4,512.50 |
| Double Room with Access to Single-User Washroom | $9,300.00 | $4,990.00 | $4,650.00 |
| Double Room (Twin Bed) with Connected Shared Washroom | $9,500.00 | $5,090.00 | $4,750.00 |
| Double Room (Twin Bed) with Ensuite Washroom | $9,750.00 | $5,215.00 | $4,875.00 |
| Double Room with Connected Shared Washroom | $9,750.00 | $5,215.00 | $4,875.00 |
| Double Room (Double Bed) with Ensuite Washroom | $9,900.00 | $5,290.00 | $4,950.00 |
| Single Room | $10,100.00 | $5,390.00 | $5,050.00 |
| Apartment – 4/6 Person (Single Room) | $10,215.00 | $5,447.50 | $5,107.50 |
| Apartment – 2 Person (Double Room) | $10,215.00 | $5,447.50 | $5,107.50 |
| Single Room with Access to Single-User Washroom | $10,500.00 | $5,590.00 | $5,250.00 |
| Suite – 4 Person (Single Room) | $11,150.00 | $5,915.00 | $5,575.00 |
| Single Room (Twin Bed) with Ensuite Washroom | $11,200.00 | $5,940.00 | $5,600.00 |
| Single Room (Doubled Bed) with Ensuite Washroom | $11,300.00 | $5,990.00 | $5,650.00 |
| Single Room with Connected Shared Washroom | $11,350.00 | $6,015.00 | $5,675.00 |
| Super-Single Room with Connected Shared Washroom | $11,500.00 | $6,090.00 | $5,750.00 |
* Fall Term Only Administrative Fee for filling bed space after departure: $340.00
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 a date to be determined. 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.
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.