UC Merced Housing Portal 2025-2026: The Ultimate Guide To Application, Deadlines, And On-Campus Living
Securing your on-campus housing at the University of California, Merced, begins and ends with the official UC Merced Housing Portal. As of this current date in late 2025, the Fall 2025 housing application is actively open, making it crucial for incoming and returning students to understand the system and key deadlines.
The Housing Portal serves as your central digital hub for everything from submitting your initial application and signing your housing contract to selecting a meal plan and, eventually, viewing your room assignment. A smooth application process relies entirely on timely action and a clear understanding of the portal's functions, especially for the high-demand 2025-2026 academic year.
Key 2025-2026 Housing Deadlines and Portal Access
The UC Merced Housing Portal is the gateway to one of the most transformative parts of the Bobcat experience: living on campus. Access to the portal is granted shortly after a critical admissions step, and missing key deadlines can significantly impact your housing options.
How to Log In to the Housing Portal
The UC Merced Housing Portal uses the university’s standard single sign-on system. You will need your official credentials to access your application and contract information:
- Your Username: Your UCMNetID (e.g.,
bbobcat5). [cite: 10 in step 1] - Your Password: The same password you use for your UC Merced email and other campus services. [cite: 10 in step 1]
First-time applicants, particularly incoming freshmen, must first submit their Statement of Intent to Register (SIR). You will typically gain access to the housing application within one to two business days after submitting your SIR. [cite: 4 in step 1]
Critical Deadlines to Know
While specific dates can be subject to change, the following deadlines for the 2025-2026 academic year are essential planning milestones, particularly for priority consideration:
- Fall 2025 Application Opening: Open (Check the portal 1-2 business days after submitting your SIR). [cite: 4 in step 1]
- Graduate Priority Deadline: May 7, 11:59 p.m. (for the academic year contract). [cite: 5 in step 1]
- Housing Cancellation Deadline: June 1, 2025 (to cancel without a significant penalty for the academic year). [cite: 14 in step 1]
- Housing Assignment Notification: Assignments are made based on availability and student preferences. Unassigned students are typically notified by mid-July. [cite: 4, 9 in step 2]
The portal is also used to submit requests for specific housing accommodations, with a priority deadline typically set in early June. Any accommodation requests approved by Student Accessibility Services (SAS) after this date will be processed on a space-available basis. [cite: 9 in step 1]
Step-by-Step Guide to the Application Process
The application process in the UC Merced Housing Portal is designed to be straightforward, guiding students through a series of steps from initial application to final contract signing. The portal is where you will communicate your preferences and sign all legal documents.
- Submit the Initial Application: Once logged in with your UCMNetID, navigate to the application section for the 2025-2026 academic year. Submitting this application registers your intent to live on campus. [cite: 4 in step 2]
- Complete the Housing Contract: This is a legally binding document. Carefully review the Academic Year Contract, including all terms, conditions, and the 2025-2026 rates, before electronically signing. [cite: 6 in step 1]
- Pay the Deposit: A housing deposit is required to secure your spot. This payment is typically processed directly through the portal or linked to the campus billing system.
- Select Roommate Preferences: The portal facilitates roommate matching. Students who have signed contracts will receive email instructions to their UC Merced email account detailing the process for selecting or requesting a specific roommate. [cite: 10, 16 in step 2]
- Receive Your Assignment: Room assignments are processed by Housing & Residence Education staff. You will receive an official email notification with your assigned community, room type (single, double, triple, or quad), and move-in information. [cite: 11 in step 2]
Exploring UC Merced’s On-Campus Communities and Options
UC Merced offers a variety of housing options, ranging from traditional residence halls to apartment-style living, many of which are part of the massive Merced 2020 Project expansion. Your selection in the Housing Portal will determine your residential experience.
The Residence Halls (First-Year Focus)
The newest and largest residence halls are typically where most first-year students reside, offering a vibrant, community-focused environment:
- Glacier Point Residence Hall: A six-story building, part of the Merced 2020 Project, featuring nearly 800 beds and overlooking the Pavilion Dining Center. [cite: 4, 5 in step 3]
- Granite Pass Residence Hall: Also a key part of the Merced 2020 Project, located south of Little Lake, and designed to provide modern undergraduate residential housing. [cite: 5, 7 in step 3]
- El Portal Residence Hall: Another modern residence hall included in the Merced 2020 Project's expansion efforts. [cite: 14 in step 3]
- The Summits: An earlier student housing complex, including buildings like Half Dome Student Residences, which provides ample housing and community spaces. [cite: 6, 9 in step 3]
Apartment-Style and Continuing Student Options
For continuing students or those who prefer a more independent living arrangement, apartment-style options are available:
- Valley Terraces: Apartment-style suites, which opened in 2005, are typically reserved for continuing undergraduate students. [cite: 8 in step 2]
- Living Learning Communities (LLCs): These communities, available across various halls, group students with similar academic or personal interests, such as the Political Engagement LLC, offering a unique opportunity to live and learn together. [cite: 13, 17 in step 2]
Residential Meal Plans and Dining Centers
All students living in the residence halls are required to select a residential meal plan through the Housing Portal. The 2025-2026 residential meal plans are all-you-care-to-eat, ensuring residents always have access to nutritious and delicious options. [cite: 6, 12 in step 2]
Key Dining Entities
Your residential meal plan grants you unlimited access to the university’s main dining facilities:
- The Pavilion Dining Center: A major dining facility, often overlooked by the newer residence halls like Glacier Point. [cite: 4 in step 3]
- Yablokoff Wallace Dining Center: Another primary dining center that provides a rotating selection of healthy, all-you-care-to-eat meals. [cite: 6 in step 2]
The meal plans are designed to accommodate a college lifestyle, ensuring residents have easy access to food without the hassle of cooking, which is a significant component of the on-campus living experience.
Maximizing Your Housing Portal Experience
To ensure you have the best possible housing outcome, treat the Housing Portal as a dynamic tool, not just a one-time application form. Regularly check your UC Merced email for updates on roommate selection instructions, contract changes, and assignment notifications. The portal is also where you will manage any changes to your personal details or housing preferences throughout the year.
Understanding the difference between the initial application, the binding contract, and the assignment process is key. The application is your request; the contract is your commitment; and the assignment is the final room placement based on your preferences and availability. By using the Housing Portal effectively and adhering to the published deadlines, you can successfully navigate the process and look forward to a rewarding experience in your UC Merced residence hall. For non-residential students, the portal may also offer links to off-campus housing services and non-residential meal plan options. [cite: 7, 15 in step 2]
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