Fees & Payments
Find out the cost to live in student housing at UBC, plus when and how to pay.
On this page:
Explore fees by residence area
Winter Session residence fees
Year Round residence fees
Upper year
Graduate colleges
Student Family residence fees
Quick facts
Top things to know about fees for housing and meal plans.
- Fees vary by residence area and room type.
- Pay residence and meal plan fees directly to Student Housing—not to your tuition account.
- When you receive an offer email, you must pay a deposit or first instalment of fees by the deadline indicated in the email. Failure to make this payment means you forfeit your residence offer.
How do I pay?
We recommend EFT and Interac Online payment options as the quickest and easiest way to pay your Residence and Meal Plan fees.
Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT)
If you have an account at a Canadian financial institution, you can pay your residence and meal plan fees through direct debit from your bank account.
Log in to the Student Service Centre (SSC), click on “Banking Details” and enter your bank’s institution number, transit (bank branch) number, and account number. Once you have entered and saved your banking details, you can pay your fees by selecting “Bank Transfer” under the “Pay Fees” menu.
All payments will be applied to your UBC account immediately upon successful transaction and payment information will be forwarded to your financial institution.
Interac® Online
Interac® Online is available via the Student Service Centre (SSC) or via the Student Housing and Community Services (SHCS) Online Service Centre.
You will need to have an online banking account with TD Canada Trust.
NOTE: VISA and Mastercard Debit cards cannot be used to make an Interac® payment online at UBC.
Online Banking Bill Payment
Bill payment via online banking is now available for residence and meal plan fees.
Make a bill payment from your Canadian online bank account by adding a Payee “UBC Student Housing and Meal Plan”. Your account number at UBC is your student number. Please allow 3-5 business days for processing.
This service is currently available at Scotiabank, HSBC Canada, BMO, RBC, TD Canada Trust, CIBC, and Credit Unions in British Columbia. The service may expand to additional Canadian banks in future.
Cheque and Money Order
Make your cheque payable to UBC and include your name, UBC ID, and residence address on the back of the cheque. Drop off your cheque at the Marine Drive Residence front desk by the required deadline.
To be issued a receipt, which can be provided upon request, please email the Student Housing Main Office. Traveller’s cheques and post-dated cheques are not accepted.
A $35 service fee will be charged for returned cheques.
Note: VISA Debit and Mastercard Debit cards issued by a US or other international bank are not accepted.
International Funds Transfer
UBC has chosen Western Union Business Solutions, the world’s largest specialist in global business payments, to provide a simple, low cost method of paying fees in your own currency.
Access Western Union International Funds Transfer via the MyFinancial Account in the Student Service Centre (SSC). Find instructions at UBC Student Services, under International Funds Transfer.
NOTE: Payments should be made three days earlier than the due date. Western Union locks in the exchange rate for 72 hours, after which a new exchange rate is applied.
Credit Card (Visa or MasterCard)
Pay by credit card through the Student Housing and Community Services Online Service Centre for:
- Residence and residence meal plan fees
- Assessment and late fees
- Early arrival and extension fees
Please note that a non-refundable 1.75% convenience fee will be applied to online credit card payments for the above items.
You can use your credit card to make fee-free payments online for:
- Residence application fees
- Residence and residence meal plan acceptance deposits
- Residence room transfer fees
- Savings Plus and UBCCard meal plans
- Orientation application fees and acceptance deposits
- UBC childcare application and ongoing fees
- Food and other merchandise at UBC Food Services locations across campus
When do I pay?
Winter Session Residence fees
For students in first year residences with a required meal plan and upper year residences without a required meal plan.
Pay fees in three instalments:
- when you accept your offer
- in late-September
- in early-January
Winter Session, Term 1-only fees
Pay fees in two instalments:
- when you accept your offer
- in late-September
Winter Session, Term 2-only fees
Pay fees in full when you accept your offer.
Year Round Residence fees
Payments are due on the first of every month. You must pay a deposit when you accept your offer.
Student Family Residence fees
Payments are due on the first of every month. You must pay a deposit when you accept your offer.
Summer Residence fees
- Students staying less than 60 days: pay fees in one instalment
- Students staying for 61 days or longer: pay fees in two instalments
Fees and payments FAQs
Does UBC accept payment by wire transfer?
Effective June 6, 2018, UBC no longer accepts wire transfers for:
- Student housing fee instalments
- Meal plan payments
- Tuition and fees
To pay with international currency, please pay by International Funds Transfer.
What should I do if I paid my residence / meal plan fees to my tuition account?
If you have paid these fees to your tuition account by mistake, please email information@housing.ubc.ca immediately to let us know.
Is there a charge for late payments?
Yes, a fee is charged for late payments. Please refer to your residence contract for details.
When do fees stop being charged?
You will continue to be charged fees until you return all assigned keys to your residence front desk and sign the check out form.