Residence Fees and Other Costs

Starting university is such an exciting milestone, and it’s also a meaningful investment in your future! As you transition into your first year, you might discover a few expenses you hadn’t thought about yet. From textbooks to transportation, knowing what to expect can make planning and budgeting much easier and a lot less stressful. 

Below, you’ll find a helpful breakdown of some common costs you may encounter while living in residence. 

How Much Will Residence Cost?

Room Type Total Room Fees for the 8-Month Academic Year Building(s) – View Details Here
Pod Suite – 2 Person, 1 Washroom (Single Room) $13,990.00 Lincoln Alexander Hall
Pod Suite – 4 Person, 2 Washroom (Single Room) $13,700.00 Lincoln Alexander Hall
Pod – 1 Person, 1 Washroom (Single Room) $13,340.00 Lincoln Alexander Hall
Pod – 2 Person, 1 Washroom (Single Room) $12,930.00 Lincoln Alexander Hall
Pod – 3 Person, 2 Washroom (Single Room) $12,640.00 Lincoln Alexander Hall
Pod – 4 Person, 2 Washroom (Single Room) $12,360.00 Lincoln Alexander Hall
Pod – 5 Person, 3 Washroom (Single Room) $12,110.00 Lincoln Alexander Hall
Pod – 3 Person, 1 Washroom (Single Room) $11,840.00 Lincoln Alexander Hall
Super-Single Room with Connected Shared Washroom
 $11,950.00 Peter George Centre for Living & Learning
Single Room with Connected Shared Washroom
 $11,850.00 Peter George Centre for Living & Learning
Suite – 4 Person (Single Room)
 $11,700.00 Mary E. Keyes Residence
Single Room (Double Bed) with Ensuite Washroom
 $11,350.00 Les Prince Hall
Single Room (Twin Bed) with Ensuite Washroom $11,200.00 Brandon Hall, Edwards Hall, Hedden Hall, Les Prince Hall, Matthews Hall,
McKay Hall, Moulton Hall, Wallingford Hall, Whidden Hall, Woodstock Hall
Single Room with Access to Single-User Washroom
 $10,690.00 Brandon Hall, Hedden Hall, McKay Hall, Moulton Hall, Whidden Hall, Woodstock Hall
Double Room with Connected Shared Washroom $10,350.00 Peter George Centre for Living & Learning
Apartment – 4/6 Person (Single Room) $10,600.00 Bates Residence
Apartment – 2 Person (Double Room) $10,600.00 Bates Residence
Double Room (Double Bed) with Ensuite Washroom $10,200.00 Les Prince Hall
Double Room (Twin Bed) with Connected Shared Washroom $10,100.00 Peter George Centre for Living & Learning
Single Room $10,220.00 Brandon Hall, Edwards Hall, Matthews Hall, Moulton Hall, Wallingford Hall
Double Room (Twin Bed) with Ensuite Washroom $9,900.00 Brandon Hall, Edwards Hall, Hedden Hall, Les Prince Hall, Matthews Hall, McKay Hall, Whidden Hall, Woodstock Hall
Double Room with Access to Single-User Washroom $9,690.00 Brandon Hall, Hedden Hall, McKay Hall, Moulton Hall, Whidden Hall, Woodstock Hall
Double Room $9,220.00 Brandon Hall, Edwards Hall, Matthews Hall, Moulton Hall, Wallingford Hall
Triple – 3 Person (Traditional Room) $6,750.00 Matthews Hall, McKay Hall, Wallingford Hall
Quad – 4 Person (Traditional Room) $6,550.00 Hedden Hall, Moulton Hall, Wallingford Hall
10 Bay Residence
To learn more about room layouts and rates at 10 Bay Residence, please visit 10 Bay Residence’s web site.

 

Residence Fees & Payment Information

Residence Application

Students with a residence guarantee must submit a $600 payment through the Housing Portal in order to complete and submit their residence application. This payment consists of a $500 deposit, which will be applied toward the student’s first residence charge, and a $100 non-refundable application fee.

Residence Fee Payments

For rooms in residence buildings located in 1280 Main Street West, room type fees will be charged to the student’s Mosaic Student Account. These fees are divided into two equal installments:

  • Fall Term Payment: Due September 25
  • Winter Term Payment: Due January 25

What Your Residence Fee Includes

Residence fee covers the following:

  • Furnished accommodations (furniture and room layout vary by room type)
  • Access to residence facilities, including study rooms, common-area kitchens, and laundry rooms (laundry usage is an additional cost).
  • Wireless internet in each residence building

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 listed above.

Learn more about Meal Plans

Residence Life Health and Wellbeing Fee

All students will be charged a $45.00 Health and Wellbeing Fee. This fee is non-refundable.

Student Property and Liability Insurance Program Fee

All students living in residence are enrolled in the Student Property and Liability Insurance Program, which provides:

  • Coverage for your personal belongings
  • Protection against loss or damage you may be responsible for

Annual premium: $85 CAD (plus applicable taxes)

Learn more about the Student Property and Liability Insurance Program.

Other Costs to Consider

Laundry Laundry Guide

All McMaster residence buildings have laundry rooms that you can use with your refillable laundry card, which you will receive 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

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 belongings is safe, lock your room doors, do not let unauthorized individuals into your building, and make sure you have some kind of tenant’s or household insurance that covers you for property damage, accidents, fire, student-caused damage, and personal/public liability.