Emergency Housing for Undergraduate Students
If you’re an undergraduate student experiencing homelessness (and enrolled at least part-time and age 24 and under), you may be eligible for emergency housing. Housing is provided based on availability and for a length of time determined by our case management team.
While this housing is not free or subsidized, you won’t have to navigate the process alone. Our team can connect you with the Office of Student Financial Aid to explore funding options or appeal your current aid package.
UMD uses the McKinney-Vento definition of homelessness:
- Sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason (also referred to “doubled up” or “couch surfing”);
- Students who live in substandard housing such as motels, hotels, trailer parks or camping grounds due to a lack of alternative adequate accommodations;
- Students living in emergency or transitional shelters;
- Students abandoned in hospitals;
- Students with no stable foster care placement;
- Students (possibly with families) who are fleeing or attempting to flee domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or other dangerous or life-threatening conditions that relate to violence against the individual or a family member.
Note: living at home and being placed on the waitlist for on-campus housing does not constitute homelessness.
Am I experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity?
You may benefit from meeting with a Thrive Center staff member if:
- You do not have a safe, stable, and adequate place to sleep.
- You are couch surfing/staying temporarily with friends, relatives, or others because you have nowhere else to go.
- You are sleeping in your car, a hotel, shelter, or other temporary location.
- You have been asked to leave your current housing and do not know where you will stay next.
- You cannot return to your family home because of safety concerns, family conflict, estrangement, or other circumstances.
- You are at immediate risk of losing your housing.
Situations that typically do not meet the definition of homelessness
The following situations, by themselves, generally do not indicate homelessness or housing insecurity:
- Being on a residence hall waitlist while you have a safe and stable place to live (i.e., your family home).
- Not receiving your preferred residence hall assignment.
- Choosing to commute from a family home.
- Wanting to live closer to campus for convenience.
- Temporary uncertainty about future housing when you currently have a stable place to stay.
Not Sure Whether Your Situation Qualifies?
If you are unsure whether your circumstances meet the definition of homelessness or housing insecurity, we encourage you to review the information above before contacting our office. Students who lack a safe, stable, and adequate place to live, or who are at risk of losing housing, are encouraged to complete our assistance form and speak with a staff member.
How to Request Support
Submit the form below to schedule a consultation and be assessed for this resource.
Housing Resources
Break housing
Undergraduate students who currently live on campus and are part of the Fostering Terp Success program are provided with campus housing during all university breaks, including Thanksgiving, Winter, Spring and Summer breaks.
On-campus housing
The Department of Resident Life oversees a variety of university-owned housing options for undergraduate students.
Off-campus housing
Off-Campus Housing Services is an excellent resource for undergraduate and graduate students looking for housing in College Park and beyond. It provides personalized information about housing and off-campus living, a searchable database listing available rental properties in the area and an online database where students can search for roommates with similar housing needs and interests.