Why is there a wait list for housing?
A wait list happens when the demand for on-campus housing exceeds our available space.
Are currently wait listed students charged a fee to be released from their housing contract?
No cancellation fee would be applied for a currently waitlisted student who is granted a Wait Listed Student housing contract release.
How many people are on the housing wait list?
While we do not anticipate a housing wait list for the 2025-26 room selection cycle, Residence Life staff is experienced in handling wait lists in the event one is needed for those students who are not required to live on campus. If a wait list is needed, we expect the number of wait listed students to change (and decrease) daily as students decide on their housing and academic plans.
How does the housing wait list work?
When students are waitlisted, reinstatements are randomly issued as space becomes available, meaning there is no ongoing numbered waitlist. Our assignment system randomly identifies a waitlisted student each time a space is vacated. There is no specific order to the wait list. Reinstated students will be emailed a room assignment as space becomes available throughout the spring and summer. We will continue to assign newly available spaces to reinstated students through the end of add/drop as long as there is an active housing wait list. It might be easier to think of the wait list as a "pool" rather than a "list."
When will I be placed in on-campus housing?
It is impossible to provide a specific answer to this question. Residence Life will continue to place wait listed students into housing as space becomes available through the end of add/drop as long as there is an active housing wait list.
How can I find off-campus housing?
I thought housing was guaranteed for four years. Is this not true?
In the modern era, W&M has never guaranteed housing for four years.
I don't have a car. How am I supposed to get to and from campus?
WATA (Williamsburg Area Transport Authority) provides free bus transportation to all W&M students. We recommend that as you search for an off-campus location, you consider proximity to a bus stop if you need public transport.
What if I can't afford to live off campus?
There are a wide variety of properties and price points off-campus. We recommend you search for spaces that are suitable to your budget.
Moving off-campus & financial aid
Want to know more about how moving off campus and financial aid works? Review Financial Aid information and contact the Financial Aid Office.