Frequently Asked Questions

Check-In Days and Times

NEW and TRANSFER STUDENTS

Residential students with confirmed residence hall room assignments will move in on August 16, 2026. 

Students will be assigned a group based on their confirmed housing assignments.

• Maroon – 8:00am to 12:00pm 
  • 1^st and 3^rd floors

• Gray – 1:00pm to 5:00pm 
  • 2nd floors and Hawk Run/Urban Living, Hawk’s Landing, Hawks Plaza, Student Residential Complex (Clusters) 

RETURNING STUDENTS

Residential students with confirmed residence hall room assignments will move in on: 

• Saturday, August 22, 2026
• Sunday, August 23, 2026
• 8:00am to 12:00pm and 1:00pm to 5:00pm 

Check-in Location

• Please look under New Student Fall 2026 Move-In Information or Current Student Fall 2026 Move-In Information.

Do I Really Need to Check-In during the scheduled time?

• Yes! Checking in during your scheduled time helps reduce wait times, ensures adequate staffing, manages crowd sizes, improves parking and traffic flow, maintains safety and security, and coordinates support services for a smoother move-in experience.
• If you are unable to arrive during your assigned check-in time due to extenuating circumstances, you must contact the Office of Residence Life before your scheduled arrival to discuss alternative arrangements. Alternate check-in accommodations are not guaranteed and are subject to staff availability.
• Arriving outside of your scheduled check-in time without prior approval may result in delays in receiving your room keys and gaining access to your assigned residence.
• Please plan to arrive during your allotted check-in time. If you experience unexpected travel delays and anticipate arriving only a few minutes late, there is no need to notify the Office of Residence Life, simply drive safely and arrive when you can.
• If you expect to arrive more than one (1) hour after your scheduled check-in time, please notify the Office of Residence Life by calling 410-651-6144 or emailing umesresidencelife@umes.edu.

Can I Check-In Early?

• No, early check-in requests will not be approved. If you are not able to make your scheduled check in date, you may request a later arrival date to occur before noon on the first day of class, August 24, 2026.

What Should I Do to Prepare for Move-In Day?

• Review the “What to Bring” checklist.
• Be financially cleared through Student Accounts.
• Submit your Health History form and Immunizations to Student Health Services.

What Should I Bring to Check-In

• Bring your government-issued photo ID to the check-in location.
• We highly recommend residents bring their own move-in equipment to expedite their check-in process.  Move-in equipment includes dollies, carts, etc.
• Note: Limited Residence Life equipment will be available to assist residents with moving their personal belongings into the residence hall.

Will there be movers available to assist with move-in? 

Yes, there will be a limited number of students available to assist on Sunday, August 16, 2026, ONLY. 

Will equipment be available to assist with Move-In? 

Yes, there will be a limited number of dollies and carts 

How many people can help me move in? 

To help ensure a safe and efficient move-in for everyone, we encourage you to bring a small group of individuals who can comfortably assist with walking, lifting, and carrying belongings. Please be mindful of the limited space and increased traffic in our residential communities and parking areas on move-in day. 

We know move-in is an exciting milestone, and we want your family and loved ones to share in the experience. For those who are unable to attend, consider sharing photos and videos of your move-in experience so they can celebrate this special moment with you from afar. 

***Please remember that all residents are legally bound to their housing contract that ends on May 15, 2027.  Further information can be found on the Residence Life website under the Housing Terms and Conditions policy in the Housing Contract Booklet.

Will I need to purchase a parking pass for move-in day?

Parents/guests should not need a campus parking pass for drop off, on Move-In Day.

What housing communities are available?

Freshman Females

• Plaza Hall
• University Terrace

Freshman Males

• Court Plaza
• Wicomico

Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors

• Clusters (Student Residential Complex)
• Hawk Run/Urban Living
• Student Apartments

Juniors and Seniors

• Hawk Plaza
• Hawk’s Landing

Honors and STEM STARS

• Harford

Art Loft, Athletics, and Aviation

• Murphy Complex

Is there housing still available?

Yes and No, let us explain.

We are still accepting housing applications and housing deposits for both new male and new female students.

• New male students: We currently have a waiting list due to high demand. Students may still apply and submit their housing deposit, but assignments will be made as space becomes available.
• New female students: Housing assignments are still being made, and spaces are currently available.

As we approach housing capacity for either or both student populations, we will stop accepting new housing applications and deposits and transition to a housing request form. Students who submit a request after that point will be contacted by email as spaces become available through cancellations or other changes in occupancy.

How do I apply for housing?

• Follow the Apply for Housing instructions on the Current Student Information or New Student Information pages.
• Current students are expected to participate in the designated Room Reclaim and Hawk Select (self-selection) periods, which typically opens March-May. Students are notified in advance of these specific dates. Students who do not complete the housing process during these periods will be assigned housing through the Administrative Selection process.
• An additional $100 administrative fee will apply to students placed in the Administrative Selection due to missing the Hawk Select deadline. Room preferences are not guaranteed and are based upon classification and space availability.
• New and transfer students, the priority deadline to complete the housing application and participate in Hawk Select (self-selection) is June 30. Students who submit their housing application after June 30 will be placed into the Administrative Selection process. New and transfer students are not required to pay the additional $100 administrative fee. Please note that room preferences are not guaranteed in the Administrative Selection period.

What is the housing deposit?

• At UMES, all students are required to submit a $300 non-refundable room deposit/reservation fee to secure a housing assignment. This fee is applied toward your total housing charges.  
• The $300 room reservation fee is non-refundable, even if you cancel your housing at a later date. 
• Students who cancel their housing contract after June 30 will incur a $500 breach of contract fee. 

Can my housing deposit be waived?

• No. A waiver means the $300 deposit is completely forgiven and does not need to be paid. 

Can my housing deposit be deferred? 

• Yes, A deferment allows you to postpone paying the deposit until a later date (e.g., after financial aid disbursement). The $300 must still be paid but is not needed at the time of application. 

How can I qualify for a housing deposit deferment?

• New and transfer students may be eligible for a housing deposit deferment if they are identified as Foster Care Recipients or Unaccompanied Homeless Youth on their FAFSA when applying for financial aid.  

Can I live off campus as a new or transfer student?

• Yes. Please see the First-Year Requirements page to determine eligibility for students seeking exemption from the live on campus requirement.

How do I get my room assignment as an athlete? 

• The Office of Residential Life (ORL) works directly with the Athletics Department to arrange housing assignments for athletes. To ensure you’re included, confirm with your coach that your name has been submitted. Then complete your housing application by logging into the MyUMES portal. 

It’s been over 3 – 5 business days since I completed my application for housing, what
should I do?

• Log into the MyUMES portal and the Hawkville app to double check that you have a completed form under the “Forms and Applications” link.
• If you have made a payment and there is no completed application, you should email a copy of your payment receipt to umesresidencelife@umes.edu .
  In your email include your name, Student ID, and a contact phone number for an ORL staff member to contact you.
• If your application is complete you may send an email to umesresidencelife@umes.edu to request an update.

I completed my Staff Select housing application but haven’t been able to select a room. Why? 

• The Hawk Select period allows students to complete their housing application, pay the $300 housing deposit, and select a room of their choice. If you miss the Hawk Selection period/deadline, your application will then move to the Staff Selection period.
• The Staff Selection period allows students to complete the Staff Select Application, pay the $100 administrative fee, and pay the $300 housing deposit. Students do not have the option to self-select a room during this Staff Selection period. Instead, the Office of Residential Life assigns rooms based on student classification and space availability.
• Please note that room preferences are not guaranteed. You will receive an email notification once your housing assignment is completed. 

How can I request a different room or choose my roommate?

• All room changes are done during the room swap period which usually occurs the third week of classes.
• If you are not currently assigned with the person you would like to be your roommate, you will need to make the request during the room swap period. At that time, you and your preferred roommate can complete the roommate change process, provided both students meet the eligibility requirements and the requested space is available.

Can my assignment selection be altered or adjusted? 

Once housing assignments have been selected, they are considered final. Students will need to wait until the Room Swap Period (typically the second or third week of the semester) to request a room assignment change or alteration. 

I paid the deposit and completed the housing application but haven’t been able to select a room. Why?

• Students under the age of 18 must have a completed Parent Verification Form on file before housing assignment options become available. 

• Please have your parent or guardian check their email and complete the form. Once the form has been submitted, refresh your HawkVille portal. Your available housing assignments should then appear for selection. 

I have a back bill and I need housing. what should I do?

• Students must resolve back bills before applying for on-campus housing.
• Visit Student Accounts for questions regarding payments and payment arrangements.
• Students must complete class registration and be registered for at least 12 credits hours to reside in campus housing.
• The housing application will become available in Hawkville once you have completed the steps above.

How soon can I apply to be an RA? 

• Students must complete a full academic semester at UMES and remain in good standing with Housing. 

How does ordering packages work? 

Only UMES students living on campus are issued a campus mailbox at no charge, by presenting their HawkCard. Post office staff does not check mailboxes, once issued a mailbox it will be the student’s responsibility to have their mailbox key to access their mailbox. If you lose, break, or bend your key it is $10.00 on your hawk card or it can be charged to your student account. No sharing mailboxes.   

More information about receiving packages can be found here: https://wwwcp.umes.edu/auxiliary/university-postal-services/  

How can I use Amazon Lockers to receive packages? 

• To retrieve your package please proceed to the SMART LOCKER kiosk and scan your package notification QR Code. Then follow the instructions on the screen to access the locker and receive your package. Once you have your package, please gently close the locker door.  

• Packages not retrieved from the SMART LOCKER within 72 hours (about 3 days) of notification email will be removed from the locker and you will have to pick up your package at the Post Office counter.   

*ALL Packages not picked up within 14 business days of receipt will be returned to the sender.   

How can I set up my Hawk Card?  

• Instructions for the Hawk Card setup process can be found online here: Hawk Card Information 

Why can I only select the freshman housing application?

• Based on the housing system settings, first-time new freshman and transfer students only have access to the Freshman/Transfer housing application. 

I am a transfer student with upperclassmen credits. Can I be assigned to upperclassmen housing?

• Yes, once your credit hours have been received and the housing office can verify your class status through the University Registrar, you may be reassigned to upperclassmen housing.

What should I do to be reassigned to upperclassmen housing?

• Review the Residence Halls and select the hall that best meets your housing needs.
• Email umesresidencelife@umes.edu and request to be reassigned to upperclassmen housing.
• Include the hall you wish to be reassigned to in your email to Residence Life.