FAQ

Visit our Apply for Residence page for step-by-step instructions on applying for residence at Dal.

Students can request to be allocated to the same building as other students, however there is no guarantee.

We have created a step-by-step guide to help your student through accepting their offer. Visit dal.ca/acceptingyourroom to find out how they can finalize the acceptance process. Please be aware that the $500 deposit must be paid before their offer can be officially accepted.

For new students, the deposit is due ten days after they receive their offer. For returning students, the deposit is due on May 15.

No need to panic. If you see the error message, it’s important to confirm that the $200 admissions deposit has been paid. If not, please pay the deposit and wait two to three business days for it to be processed before trying again. If you have paid the admissions deposit, try clearing your browser cache. If the problem persists, please contact the Registrar’s Office to have your status updated so you are able to apply. You can contact them at admissions@dal.ca.

If your student has specific room requirements while living in residence, we are happy to help meet their needs. Please ask your student to indicate their medical or accessibility requirements on their application form. Once receiving the application, we work closely with the Accessibility Office on our Halifax Campus to best accommodate these needs. For questions, or additional information, please contact the Residence Office.

It’s very exciting for your student to find out who they will be living with during their time in residence. Encourage your student to email the Residence Office at residence@dal.ca to find out who they will be living with. If their roommate has agreed to release their personal information, we can share their first name and Dal email. We feel it’s a great opportunity for roommates to begin connecting even before they arrive on campus.

We begin sending room offers to new direct-from-high-school students who have completed a residence application by May 1. This is done in the order in which the applications were received and continues throughout the summer. 

If your student has yet to pay their fees, there is no penalty and no fees are due. If they have paid their fees and cancel by Aug. 1, $250 of the $500 deposit is refundable. If they cancel after Aug. 1, there are no refunds. Please note that the $50 application fee is also non-refundable.

We understand the value that residence offers to all students, both new and returning. Not only does it offer unparalleled convenience, saves valuable time, and is a great place to make friends, studies show that residence living supports academic success. Residences play a particularly important role in supporting student wellbeing and academic success during the transition from high-school into university. With this in mind, Dal has established a residence guarantee for first year students entering directly from high school, including priority consideration for students who identify as Black and African Nova Scotia, Indigenous, and those with disabilities who may face barriers to full participation in university and campus life. This is an important initiative to continue to build a vibrant, inclusive, and well-supported community, especially during transition into university.

While we would love to offer everyone who wants one a place in residence, we don’t anticipate having the capacity to deliver on our new first year guarantee without limiting spaces in residence for returning students. We are also aware that first-year students – many of whom reside outside Halifax – may have a more difficult time finding suitable off-campus housing before coming to Halifax. By contrast, we know that in most cases, upper-year residence students have had time to explore the city, find roommates, and search for appropriate off-campus accommodations. To assist them with their search for suitable off-campus housing, students are encouraged to consult our Off-campus Housing website. On it they will find a link to our partner listing service, Places4Students, along with other valuable resources for new tenants.

For the upcoming academic year, there will be a cap on returning students of 250. An additional 100 spaces will be held in reserve for student leadership positions.

Current residence students will need to apply by Dec. 2 and will be assigned space in residence first-come, first-served basis. All applicants will be notified in January when they return from the holiday break on the status of their application, and if they were successful in securing a residence room for the upcoming September. 

Yes, we would be happy to add you to our residence wait list. If there are any room cancellations, we will contact those on our waitl ist in the order they applied for residence. 

To be put on our wait list, please contact us at residence@dal.ca by February 6. It should be noted that being on the wait list does not guarantee that a room will be available. 

Please note, while there will not be a cap for anyone wanting to return to residence on the Truro campus.

Yes.

The process for re-applying has not changed. To re-apply, log on to Dal Online using your NetID and password, and follow the links to the Residence Application. Please note that there is a $50 application fee.

Move-in is by appointment only. Please book your appointment at the end of the Before You Arrive module, which you must complete before you can check in. Check your Dal email for details if you have not yet completed this module.

You are allowed one helper into the building for move-in. Additional friends and family will be required to wait outside.

Travelling can be challenging and we recognize there can be times when students are unable to make it to move-in day until very late. If your student is arriving after midnight, they will be let into their room by a staff member. It’s important to remember that while they will have access to their room, this does not officially check them in. They will need to return to the front desk in the morning to complete their check-in process.

Most rooms at Dalhousie include the following: bed, chest of drawers for storage, desk, desk chair, fan, and wardrobe.

Some rooms may also have a closet instead of a wardrobe, but this varies by building and house (Smith and Bronson house in Howe Hall, Newcombe and Old Eddy house in Shirreff Hall, and a mixture in other areas). As well, rooms have curtains included. Some rooms may also have a sink, but this varies by building.

If you have questions about your room, email residence@dal.ca for Halifax or residence.ac@dal.ca for Truro.

Yes, you will have to purchase a mini fridge and bring it with you. However, the Dal Bookstore also carries mini fridges that are suitable for residence, and for a small fee they will deliver it and set it up before your arrival.

The max size of mini fridge is 4.2 cubic feet.

You may also bring a microwave (max 1 cubic foot) and a Keurig-type machine.

Things you CANNOT bring include: Toasters, toaster ovens and hot plates, sandwich makers, electric grills, barbeques, rice makers, Instant Pots and similar, electric woks, frying pans, induction cookers, air fryers.

Most rooms in residence have height adjustable beds, allowing for plenty of storage underneath. These beds adjust up to allow you to tuck the included chest of drawers and any bins or suitcases under them. The max height underneath at the highest setting is between 30-31". 

However, there are some rooms that have beds that are a fixed height with built in drawers for storage under them (particularly in Fountain House, Howe Hall). If you have questions about the bed in your room, email residence@dal.ca for Halifax or residence.ac@dal.ca for Truro.

All rooms on the Halifax campus and most rooms on the Truro campus are Twin XL beds (some rooms in Truro have doubles), so make sure to get Twin XL sheets!

You may also want to bring fitted sheet fasteners to ensure the sheets stay in place, trouble free!

The room includes a basic mattress but you may like to add a mattress topper. Make sure it’s Twin XL size, and make sure to pick up the deep pocket sheets if needed (depending on the thickness) so they fit cover it comfortably!

Residents are responsible for cleaning their own rooms, including the floor. To make this easier you will definitely want to bring a broom, but you may also consider a Swiffer Wet Jet or small mop (especially for the winter!). Just make sure all cleaning products are environmentally friendly and scent free. Residents in LeMarchant Place are also responsible for cleaning their own bathrooms, so make sure to bring supplies for that!

In 2024/25, more double rooms are available due to increased demand for housing. This means for some rooms, this is a brand new setup and we don’t yet have photos. Doubles are one of three configurations: bunk style, loft style (with desk under the bed) or two separate beds.

If you have questions about your double room, drop us an email: residence@dal.ca for Halifax or residence.ac@dal.ca for Truro.

After you check in to residence, you can have packages shipped to your front desk. To do this, use the following address format to ensure correct delivery:

Student name
Box #
Residence Name 
Residence Address 
PO Box 15000
Halifax, Nova Scotia  B3H 4R2

Please note: mail is delivered to Dalhousie's central mail room before it goes to the appropriate building on campus. Even if your parcel has arrived on campus according to a tracking number, it may not be delivered to your specific residence until the next day.

Unfortunately we are unable to accept packages on your behalf at your residence until after you check in. 

Residence life is an incredibly diverse and unique experience. The opportunities for creativity, success and exploration are endless. Sharing your space and your life with others is a humbling experience that can teach you a lot about who you are and who you want to become.

We aim to make living in residence as convenient as possible for your student by including many of the essential furniture items they need. Each room on the Halifax campus has an extra-long twin-sized bed and mattress, a desk and chair, a closet or wardrobe, bureau (or drawers under the bed), a mirror, and curtains for the window. Some rooms on our Truro campus do have a double bed and students with those rooms will be notified. By providing these items, we hope it makes the move to residence a little easier and less costly than furnishing an apartment off-campus.

It’s essential that your student feels at home during their time in residence. To make the transition as smooth as possible, we’ve created a list of suggested items to help with packing and to ensure your student has everything they need for a comfortable stay. Visit the what to bring to residence page for the complete list and more information.

It’s very important that residence rooms and common areas are maintained to a high standard. Students should fill out a Maintenance Request Form online through their Residence Hub Page in Dal Online. Maintenance lists are provided to our staff for repairs Monday through Friday, and requests will be completed in a timely manner. In the case of an emergency situation, like a water leak or broken window, these and other issues should be reported right away to residence staff or their front desk.

Each individual student finds their own balance between studying and the rest of life. Both halves of the modern student are an important part of their development. Residence is a great place to study and it’s easy to find a quiet space to tuck away and be productive. We have lots of dedicated spaces to study and complete assignments inside our residences and we also have very fast WiFi.

We do everything we can to make our residences (and campus) as safe and secure as possible. Community Assistants, professional residence staff and security are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to respond to any concerns.

Residence buildings have secured entrances along with staffed front desks and evening checkpoints in some locations.

Every student living in residence is encouraged to make a personal connection with their Community Assistant (Halifax Campus) or Residence Assistant (Truro Campus). These student leaders can be the first point of contact and referral to many services on campus, including academic advising, health services and counselling services.

Residence Life Managers are trained professional staff equipped to handle any crisis big or small with care and compassion. Professional residence staff both live and work in our residence buildings so they are easily accessible.

There are so many different ways and plenty of opportunities to get involved and meet people on campus and in Halifax or Truro. Community Assistants and Residence Assistants organize events and educational opportunities.

Dalhousie has hundreds of clubs and societies covering many different interests and hobbies, plus an incredibly diverse offering of intramural activities. If your student is having trouble meeting people, encourage them to seek out something that matches their personality so that they can meet others interested in the same thing.

If your student has any dietary needs, like an allergy or intolerance, we encourage you to get in touch with the on-campus dietitian (Halifax Campus only).

She is available to work with students to accommodate their dietary needs and ensure they are comfortable navigating our dining halls and enjoying their meals.

On our Agriculture Campus, you can reach out to our Manager of Residence Operations. She will be able to connect you with dining hall staff to meet your student’s dietary requirements.

Your DalCard is your all access pass to university – including building access, gym membership, dining hall card, laundry (Halifax residences only), library card, printing and copying, debit card, and more.

In order to get your DalCard, you must upload a photo and a copy of your government issued photo ID online. We will then print your card and have it waiting for you at your residence. 

DalCard will not be providing photo services at their office on campus. If you are unable to upload your photo or are having technical issues, email dalcard@dal.ca.

Students are permitted to have cars, however the availability of parking varies across campuses. On our Halifax campuses, there are a limited number of reserved parking spaces for residence students at the Risley Hall parkade. If you are interested in acquiring parking at Risley, contact reserved.list@dal.ca with your name, Dalhousie ID and telephone number. Please specify that you are looking to be considered for the Risley Hall parkade. Requests are approved on a first-come, first-served basis.

On our Truro campus, Students who wish to bring a vehicle must obtain a parking pass from our security department that allows them overnight parking. Residence students must park their vehicle in the overnight parking lot behind Chapman House. Parking passes can be completed online before going to the security office. Please make sure you bring your Dalhousie ID with you when you go to pick up or purchase your pass.

We know that family members can be anxious to book flights and make travel arrangements for their students for the holidays and end of term. While it can be difficult, we suggest students wait until the final examination schedule has been released before making travel plans. When confirming the details for your student’s trip home, an important thing to consider is that students are required to leave residence 24 hours after their last exam.

All packages being delivered via Canada Post are processed through Dalhousie's central mail room, which is closed from Dec. 24 - Jan. 2. All mail and packages received by the mailroom will be distributed when it re-opens. 

Packages being delivered via courier (Purolator, UPS, Fedex) may be delivered to the residence building, as the front desks will be staffed to receive them. 

If your student decides to stay in residence for another year, they will have to pack up their room during the summer months. However, we do offer summer storage. Students who are planning to return to residence can store up to five items (fridge plus four medium-sized boxes) at no charge. If your student does not return to residence, there is a $50/month charge.

The Dal Bookstore is offers a variety of items for residence rooms. Check their website for product availability and pricing.