International Housing

The University of Idaho requires all full-time, first year students under 21 years of age to live in organized living groups officially recognized by the university (residence halls, fraternities and sororities) for one academic year.

Reserving your Living Option

Reserve your housing prior to your arrival. For students living in the Residence Halls you can apply for housing at iwanthousing.uidaho.edu. Students can view their options on pages 2-4 of this guide or online at uidaho.edu/housing.

Residence Halls

Residence Halls are geared towards first, second, third and fourth year students working on their undergraduate degrees. Registration opens in November each year and some of our more popular options such as the Living Learning Communities fill up by Jan. 1. Visit the Residence Halls page to view your room options.

On Campus Apartments

On Campus Apartments are available for non-first year students, graduate students, or students with families. The apartment application opens in early April and we generally have more interest in apartments than we can supply. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible once the application opens if you are interested in renting one of our on campus apartments. Visit the Apartments page to view your on campus apartment options.

Checking Into Your Room

All Students must notify Housing and Residence Life of their arrival date and time prior to arriving on campus. Please notify us using the selection form located in your housing application. The form can be found at iwanthousing.uidaho.edu, under “My Housing.”

You may check-in to your room starting at 8 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 14. Check-in takes place in the Living Learning Communities Building 2. If the VandalCard Office is closed a temporary access card may be issued.

A $100 application fee is required before you can reserve your room. If you cancel your room reservation, the entire $100 fee will be forfeited.

Are you having trouble paying the $100 application fee?
If you don't have an international bank card and can't pay the $100 application fee, please begin your Housing Application. Then, follow the provided instructions to arrange to pay the application fee after you arrive on campus.

A VandalCard, the official student ID, is required to get into your residence hall and use your meal plan. Upon your arrival, you can pick up your card in the VandalCard office, located in the ISUB. To order your card, visit the VandalCard Page.

In the event the VandalCard Office is closed upon your arrival you can pick up a temp card at the Info Desk when you check into your room.

Most Vandals living on campus leave their personal vehicle at home and use alternative transportation to get across campus and around town. Our campus and downtown Moscow fit within a two-mile diameter circle, making our community very walkable, bike-able and boardable. SMART Transit fixed route buses are free for all users, reach most locations around Moscow, and have seven stops on campus. SMART Transit buses operate Monday-Friday, 6:40 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Vandals with temporary or permanent mobility-limiting disabilities or conditions can take advantage of our free Vandal Access Service to get wherever you need to go on campus Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. during fall and spring academic sessions.

Getting home on breaks is easy on the Vandal Break Bus or using regional transit such as buses or flights through nearby airports. 

All parking spaces on campus require payment for parking. Parking permit sales begin online at noon on the second Tuesday in July. Permits will be mailed to the purchaser's permanent address or issued with the purchaser's move-in materials if they prefer. Students are encouraged to purchase permits early and in advance of their arrival to campus.

Students living on campus will need a Silver or Economy parking permit. If permits are sold out before you arrive, contact PTS at 208-885-6424 for information on options.

For all parking and transportation information, please visit uidaho.edu/parking. Contact PTS with questions at parking@uidaho.edu or 208-885-6424.

Join the International Programs Office on Wednesday, Aug. 14 for your mandatory International Student Orientation. At the orientation you will be introduced to other first year students as well as the International Programs Office Staff. Location is to be determined. You will be charged a late orientation fee if you do not attend the orientation.

Sign up for New Student Orientation. New Student Orientation isn't just one event - it's a welcome to your new home on the University of Idaho campus. Sign up on the New Student Orientation Page.

Parents, we have orientation for you, too! Join us Friday, Aug. 18 for a day of getting to know your student's new community. Check out the parent orientation schedule on the New Student Orientation Page.

We are pleased to announce our fresh lineup of meal plans, offering residents value and various dining options. With “Meal Exchange,” residents are able to exchange a number of meals from our dining center for meals at other Idaho Eats dining venues. This provides more value, convenience and ease for residents to enjoy dining across the entire campus.

The Idaho Experience - Unlimited Weekly Meals and 225 Dining Dollars ($2,585/semester)

The name says it all. Unlimited meals every week in our residential dining center, The Eatery.

• Best option for residents who stay on campus and plan to dine most weekends.
• 225 Dining Dollars per semester for use at all Idaho Eats dining locations, including Starship delivery and the Boost app.
• Four meal exchanges per week.
• Satisfies the meal plan requirements for First-Year, McConnell and Wallace residents.

Joe's Choice - 14 Meals per week and 325 Dining Dollars ($2,255/semester)

Joe's Choice gives residents the peace of mind of 14 square meals per week.

• Best option for residents that skip breakfast and dine on campus twice a day.
• 325 Dining Dollars per semester for use at all Idaho Eats dining locations, including Starship delivery and the Boost app.
• Three meal exchanges per week.
• Satisfies the meal plan requirements for First-Year, McConnell and Wallace residents.

Vandal Fuel - 8 Meals per week and 425 Dining Dollars ($1,900/semester)

The affordable Vandal Fuel allows residents the flexibility to decide when to eat while having more Dining Dollars for on-campus meals or just snacking.

• Best option for residents looking to eat on campus about once per day.
• 425 Dining Dollars per semester for use at all Idaho Eats dining locations, including Starship delivery and the Boost app.
• Two meal exchanges per week.
• Satisfies the meal plan requirements for First-Year, McConnell and Wallace residents.

Social Plate - 3 Meals per week and 450 Dining Dollars ($1,100/semester)

The flexibility of the Social Plate is perfect for the busy resident whose daily schedule takes them all across campus.

• Best option for occasional visits to the dining center while having the most Dining Dollars.
• 450 Dining Dollars per semester for use at all Idaho Eats dining locations, including Starship delivery and the Boost app.
• One meal exchanges per week.
• Not available to First-Years, but satisfies the Meal Plan Requirement for McConnell and Wallace.

Students are required to supply their own bedding and linens including but not limited to sheets, pillows, blankets, towels and wash cloths. Please see the "Shopping Location" section for information on where to purchase bedding and linens.

Bed Size: Extra Long Twin Bed

Our request form can be found on the Main Housing webpage. Hover over "I want to" and select "request service." Please fill out the form completely so our team can address your needs.

Use your NetID and password to connect to AirVandalGold and AirVandalHome. If you have any questions or problems, The Student Technology Center is happy to help. We can be reached at 208-885-4357 or by email at support@uidaho.edu.

All semester tuition, fees, residence hall and meal plan charges for on-campus housing, and health insurance can be paid at the Student Accounts Office, on MyUI or through wire transfer. More information can be found on the Student Accounts webpage.

Academic Peer Mentor (APM)

Our Academic Peer Mentors are student leaders who assist students living in our first-year communities. These mentors provide individualized support to help new students with academic skill building and transitioning to college-level work.

Resident Assistant (RA)

Every floor has an RA who is there to help answer questions and help make your experience the best! Be sure to meet them when you arrive!

Program Coordinators (PC)

Each living community has a PC who is responsible for setting up weekly activities for residents. There are also larger events each semester. Keep an eye out for these events and plan to attend with your neighbors and friends.

Apartment Community Assistants (ACA)

Each Apartment complex has a dedicated ACA who is assigned to assist you with questions and other needs. Watch for apartment community events and programs which take place throughout the year. Student Success Program (SSP): We are dedicated to helping students succeed academically. Students have access to peer mentoring, free tutoring, study spaces, computer lab and additional support resources. Be sure to watch for some great free events!

Residence Hall Association (RHA)

The Residence Hall Association (RHA) is a student-led organization seeking to train leaders to represent their communities in advocating for the residence halls. Learn more about the Residence Hall Association.

Specialized Communities

As you consider your housing options, we encourage you to look into our specialized communities which offer a jump start into a new group of friends. Specialized Communities include Academic Themed, Gender Inclusive Living and program specific communities. Learn more about specialized communities.

The following stores are a sampling of locations to help you gather any items you may need upon your arrival. For a larger list of locations please use "shopping" or "places to eat" in your online search.

Shopping Locations

Bed Bath and Beyond: Bedding & kitchen products

Moscow Co-op: Groceries and hygiene products

Palouse Mall: Variety of stores

Rosauers: Groceries and hygiene products

Safeway: Groceries and hygiene products

Staples: Office supplies and technology

Target: Home goods, groceries, clothing, bedding, school supplies, technology and hygiene products

Tri-State: Outdoor items and clothing

VandalStore: Vandal gear, clothing and school books

Walmart: Home goods, groceries, clothing, bedding, school supplies, technology and hygiene products

Winco: Groceries and hygiene products

Farmers Market: Every Saturday - Fresh produce and food

International Grocery Stores

Phung-Mart: Asian grocery store

Taj Grocery: Convenience store

Shin's Asian Market: Asian grocery store

PNW Halal Meats: Fresh lamb and goat meats, fresh vegetables

Off Campus Dining & Eating Locations

Fast Food: McDonalds, Taco Bell, KFC, Subway, Taco Time, Panda Express, Wendys and Jimmy Johns

Sit Down Restaurants: Shari's, Applebees, Breakfast Club, La Casa Lopez, Slice, Ale House and Mad Greek

Coffee: Starbucks, Dutch Bros, Red Star, Cafe Artista, One World Cafe and Panhandle Cone and Coffee

There are a number of included amenities that are included with the cost of your room. There is no extra cost for the use of these items.

Internet

Wireless and hard wire connections are included in each room.

Laundry Services

Each building feature laundry rooms. Laundry is free for students (students must supply their own detergent) and there is an app available upon arrival to help tell students which machines are available.

Shared Kitchens

Wallace, McConnell and the Living Learning Communities all have shared kitchens that students can use to cook their own meals if desired. Students must supply their own utensils and cooking items.

Study Rooms

Each building feature study rooms so you can have a quiet place to work on your schoolwork.

Fridge and Microwave

Each room comes with a mini-fridge and microwave so you do not need to supply your own. The LLC’s feature a full size share fridge for each suite.