Algonquin College Residence: 2026-27 Costs, Meal Plans and How to Apply
Algonquin has one residence, on the Ottawa Campus. Every 2026-27 option includes a mandatory meal plan in the total.
Sources checked September 30, 2026. View sources
One residence, on the Ottawa Campus
Algonquin College Residence is at 1385 Woodroffe Avenue, a short walk from classes. It's Building R on the campus map. Each resident gets a furnished private bedroom in a two-bedroom suite with a private three-piece bathroom. Fees include utilities, local telephone access and internet.
Pembroke has no college residence. Algonquin says it doesn't own or operate student housing there, and you'd rent directly from a landlord. Its Pembroke housing page lists six private student residences within walking distance of campus, plus homestay and home-sharing options.
2026-27 residence fees with a meal plan
Each total below is the residence fee plus the meal plan you pick. The $610 deposit is part of the total, not an extra charge. Option 1 is paying in full. Option 2 spreads payments out and adds an administration fee: $150 for the academic-year agreements and $75 for Winter.
The academic year runs September 5, 2026 to April 25, 2027. The three-term agreement runs to August 22, 2027.
| Agreement | Residence fee | Total with Light plan | Total with Regular plan | Total with Premium plan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Two-term academic year, Option 1 | $9,590 | $13,100 | $14,570 | $15,800 |
| Two-term academic year, Option 2 | $9,740 | $13,250 | $14,720 | $15,950 |
| Three-term academic year, Option 1 | $12,970 | $16,480 | $17,950 | $19,180 |
| Three-term academic year, Option 2 | $13,120 | $16,630 | $18,100 | $19,330 |
| Winter 2027, Option 1 | $4,795 | $6,550 | $7,285 | $7,900 |
| Winter 2027, Option 2 | $4,870 | $6,625 | $7,360 | $7,975 |
- Every application also costs a $75 fee, which isn't refundable.
- The three-term agreements still include a two-term meal plan. You don't need a meal plan for the Spring term.
When each payment is due
You pay the $610 deposit when you accept your offer. For the academic year, Option 1 is due in full by July 15, 2026. Winter Option 1 is due by November 15, 2026.
Option 2 due dates are the same for every meal plan, but the first instalment changes with the plan you choose.
| Agreement | Option 2 instalments after the deposit |
|---|---|
| Two-term academic year | July 15, 2026 ($3,255 Light, $6,480 Regular or $7,710 Premium), then September 20, 2026 ($5,570 Light or $3,815 otherwise), then $3,815 on January 20, 2027 |
| Three-term academic year | The same three payments, plus $3,380 on April 15, 2027 |
| Winter 2027 | November 15, 2026 ($3,755 Light, $4,490 Regular or $5,105 Premium), then $2,260 on January 20, 2027 |
- Residence fees are a separate account from tuition. Residence doesn't receive OSAP directly and can't defer payments for student loans, although its deadlines line up with common OSAP release periods.
- In online banking, pay the payee "Algonquin Residence & Conference", not "Algonquin College", which is for tuition only. Bank drafts and certified cheques go to "CLC Algonquin". Personal cheques aren't accepted.
- Flywire payments are only for official international students, and only through the housing portal.
How to apply, and Winter 2027 timing
Residence is first come, first served. You can apply before Algonquin admits you to a program. Create an account in the housing portal, choose your term carefully, complete every step and pay the $75 fee to make the application valid.
As of September 30, 2026, the residence site says the Winter 2027 application opens in October, with a contact list you can join for a notice. Joining the list isn't an application. For a fall start, offers go out starting in March.
Once you accept and pay the deposit, you choose your meal plan, answer profile questions, upload a photo and add any accommodation requests. You'll also agree to the Student Housing Agreement.
- If you've applied before, don't create a new account. Use "forgot password" or email info@algonquinresidence.ca.
- Fall residents can use a roommate portal that opens in late July or early August, if their residence account is in good standing. Winter and Spring residents are matched by profile answers.
- The 2026-27 themed community is Healthy Active Living. It costs nothing extra, and you apply through a question in the residence application.
- Barrier-free rooms have lowered counters, roll-in showers and automatic suite doors. Request one under Special Considerations in your application.
If you're waitlisted
Algonquin reviews the waitlist every week and makes offers in order of application date. It says the most movement tends to come around cancellation and enrolment deadlines, and offers continue until the start of term. There's no guarantee you'll get a space.
Your waitlist number is in the housing portal. Residence advises you to look for off-campus housing while you wait and take whichever suitable offer comes first.
Meal plans and eating on campus
Every Fall and Winter resident needs at least the Light plan. The fee and application pages say this applies to new and returning residents. The amenities page says first-year residents, so confirm with residence if you're returning.
Each price includes a $150 administration fee that isn't loaded as meal dollars. The academic-year plans require at least $3,360 in food purchases by the end of Winter term. Plan dollars work at every campus food location, and residence says you save up to 13% per purchase.
| Plan | Academic year | One term | Best fit, according to Algonquin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light | $3,510 | $1,755 | Occasionally on campus on weekends, average appetite |
| Regular | $4,980 | $2,490 | On campus alternate weekends, average appetite |
| Premium | $6,210 | $3,105 | On campus most weekends, athletes |
- The Light plan's funds must be used within the term paid for. Leftover Regular or Premium funds could qualify for a refund if you email mealplans@algonquincollege.com.
- Food Services ends the Fall term on December 21, 2026 and the Winter term on April 19, 2027 for spending purposes.
- Chartwells Canada took over Ottawa Campus food services on June 15, 2026. Students' Association food outlets and the Pembroke Campus weren't affected.
- Inside residence, the 35th Street Market Café takes your meal plan, debit and credit. There are also free 24-hour communal kitchens, but you bring your own cookware.
Meal plans if you live off campus
You don't need a meal plan if you live off campus, but you can load money onto your AC Card. Official pages disagree on the discount. The Food Services student meal plan page describes a Campus Meal Plan that saves up to 5%, with funds carrying over between terms. The meal plans home page says the 5% discount no longer applies when off-campus students load AC Cash. Ask mealplans@algonquincollege.com which applies before you load a large amount.
Off-campus students can also ask for a Term Meal Plan by email. It saves up to 13% on most items, but you pay for the whole term up front and the funds expire at term end.
Move-in and what to bring
Fall 2026 move-in ran over Labour Day weekend, September 4 to 6. The earliest academic-year move-in date was September 5, and Winter 2027 move-in is listed as TBD. Residence emails a timeslot link, and you pick your arrival time in the portal.
Beds are double XL (54 by 76 inches), and TVs aren't provided. Mini-fridges, space heaters, candles, routers and appliances without an automatic shut-off aren't allowed. Quiet hours run from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m.
- The front desk is open 24/7 at 613-727-7698. Laundry costs $2.30 per washer or dryer load, paid with AC Cash on your AC Card.
- Upload your AC Card photo before August 31 and pick Residence as the pickup location, so the card is in your move-in package.
- Guests weren't allowed until September 14 at noon, and alcohol and cannabis weren't allowed during orientation week.
Cancelling or withdrawing
Cancel or withdraw through the Cancellation Request tab in the housing portal. If you've moved in, submit it within five business days of leaving, return your keys, and tell Food Services about your meal plan. Unreturned keys cost $20.
You're charged for the days you occupied the room plus a cancellation fee based on the date you leave.
| When you cancel | Two-term academic year | Three-term academic year |
|---|---|---|
| On or before July 31, 2026 (5%) | $479.50 | $648.50 |
| August 1 to 31, 2026 (15%) | $1,438.50 | $1,945.50 |
| September 1, 2026 onward (25%) | $2,397.50 | $3,242.50 |
- Appeals are possible for medical conditions, circumstances you couldn't have foreseen, or academic regulation changes. Academic performance alone doesn't qualify. You must write the appeal yourself, with documents, to the operations manager.
- The published fee schedule covers the academic-year agreements only. Check the Student Housing Agreement for Winter 2027 before you accept.
Keep exploring
Sources and updates
This independent guide summarizes the official information linked below. Prices, dates, hours and access rules can change; check the relevant Algonquin page before making a decision.
- Algonquin College Residence: Fees and payment schedule
- Algonquin College Residence: Apply to residence
- Algonquin College Residence: Home page and Winter 2027 notice
- Algonquin College Residence: Waitlist, 5 things you need to know
- Algonquin College Residence: Themed community
- Algonquin College Residence: FAQs and guides
- Algonquin College Residence: Amenities
- Algonquin College Residence: Move-in guide
- Algonquin College Residence: Cancellations and withdrawals
- Algonquin Food and Conference Services: Residence meal plans
- Algonquin Food and Conference Services: FAQ
- Algonquin Food and Conference Services: Student meal plans
- Algonquin Food and Conference Services: Meal plans
- Algonquin College: Food services RFP contract update, May 14, 2026
- Algonquin College: Student housing in Pembroke