Smaller Ontario Universities Residences & Housing

Living on campus can be a transformative part of your university experience, offering convenience, community, and a supportive environment for academic success. Smaller Ontario universities often pride themselves on fostering close-knit communities, and their residence offerings reflect this, providing a range of options from traditional dorms to apartment-style living. This sub-chapter provides a detailed look at the residence and housing options available at Brock University, Trent University, Ontario Tech University, Lakehead University, and Nipissing University, including first-year guarantees, room types, costs, and application processes.

Residence Overview

Aspect	Brock University	Trent University	Ontario Tech University	Lakehead University	Nipissing University
First-Year Guarantee	Yes (with conditions)	Yes	Yes (with conditions)	Yes (with conditions)	Yes (with conditions)
Total Residence Capacity	~2,400 beds	~2,000 beds (Peterborough & Durham)	~1,900 beds	~1,100 beds (Thunder Bay & Orillia)	~800 beds
Room Types	Single, Double, Suite, Townhouse	Single, Double, Suite, Apartment	Single, Double, Suite	Single, Double, Apartment	Single, Double, Suite
Meal Plan	Required (for most)	Required (for most)	Required (for most)	Required (for most)	Required (for most)

Note: Capacities and specific conditions for first-year guarantees should always be verified on the respective university's official residence websites.

Residence Buildings

Brock University

Residence	Room Types	Features	Cost Range (Approx. 2023-2024)
DeCew Residence	Single, Double	Traditional dorm, shared washrooms, common lounges	$7,000 - $8,500/year
Earp Residence	Single, Double	Traditional dorm, shared washrooms, common lounges	$7,000 - $8,500/year
Vallee Residence	Single, Double	Traditional dorm, shared washrooms, common lounges	$7,000 - $8,500/year
Lowenberger Residence	Single, Double	Semi-private washrooms, common lounges, dining hall access	$8,500 - $10,000/year
Village Residence	Townhouse (4-6 students)	Shared kitchen, living room, private bedrooms, 2-3 washrooms	$8,000 - $9,500/year
Quarry View Residence	Single, Double	Suite-style, shared washrooms, common lounges	$8,500 - $10,000/year
Gateway Suites	Single (suite)	Private bedroom, shared kitchen/living, 2 washrooms	$9,500 - $11,000/year

Trent University (Peterborough Campus)

Residence	Room Types	Features	Cost Range (Approx. 2023-2024)
Champlain College	Single, Double	Traditional dorm, shared washrooms, common spaces	$7,500 - $9,000/year
Lady Eaton College	Single, Double	Traditional dorm, shared washrooms, common spaces	$7,500 - $9,000/year
Otonabee College	Single, Double	Traditional dorm, shared washrooms, common spaces	$7,500 - $9,000/year
Gzowski College	Single, Double	Traditional dorm, shared washrooms, common spaces	$7,500 - $9,000/year
Traill College	Single, Double	Historic buildings, shared washrooms, common spaces	$7,500 - $9,000/year
Enwayaang	Single, Double	Suite-style, shared washrooms, common lounges	$8,500 - $10,000/year
Peter Gzowski College	Single, Double	Modern, suite-style, private washrooms available	$9,000 - $11,000/year

Trent University (Durham GTA Campus)

Residence	Room Types	Features	Cost Range (Approx. 2023-2024)
Trent Durham Residence	Single, Double	Modern, apartment-style, shared kitchen/living, private bedrooms	$9,000 - $11,500/year

Ontario Tech University

Residence	Room Types	Features	Cost Range (Approx. 2023-2024)
Simcoe Village (South & North)	Single, Double	Suite-style, shared washrooms, common lounges, kitchenette	$8,500 - $10,500/year
Central Hall	Single, Double	Suite-style, private washrooms, common lounges, kitchenette	$9,500 - $11,500/year
West Village	Single (apartment)	Apartment-style, private bedroom, shared kitchen/living, 2 washrooms	$10,000 - $12,000/year

Lakehead University (Thunder Bay Campus)

Residence	Room Types	Features	Cost Range (Approx. 2023-2024)
Prettie Residence	Single, Double	Traditional dorm, shared washrooms, common lounges	$6,500 - $8,000/year
Bartley Residence	Single, Double	Traditional dorm, shared washrooms, common lounges	$6,500 - $8,000/year
McIntosh Residence	Single, Double	Traditional dorm, shared washrooms, common lounges	$6,500 - $8,000/year
Lakehead University Apartments	Single (apartment)	Apartment-style, private bedroom, shared kitchen/living, 2 washrooms	$8,000 - $10,000/year

Lakehead University (Orillia Campus)

Residence	Room Types	Features	Cost Range (Approx. 2023-2024)
Orillia Residence	Single, Double	Modern, suite-style, shared washrooms, common lounges	$7,500 - $9,500/year

Nipissing University

Residence	Room Types	Features	Cost Range (Approx. 2023-2024)
Founders House	Single, Double	Traditional dorm, shared washrooms, common lounges	$7,000 - $8,500/year
Governors House	Single, Double	Traditional dorm, shared washrooms, common lounges	$7,000 - $8,500/year
Chancellors House	Single, Double	Suite-style, shared washrooms, common lounges	$8,000 - $9,500/year
Townhouse Residence	Single (townhouse)	Townhouse-style, private bedroom, shared kitchen/living, 2 washrooms	$8,500 - $10,000/year

Note: Costs are estimates and can vary significantly based on room type, meal plan selection, and academic year. Always consult the official residence websites for the most up-to-date pricing.

Costs & Fees

The following table provides a general overview of typical residence and meal plan costs. These are approximate annual figures and can vary.

Fee Type	Brock University	Trent University	Ontario Tech University	Lakehead University	Nipissing University
Room (Single)	$7,500 - $11,000	$8,000 - $11,500	$9,000 - $12,000	$7,000 - $10,000	$7,500 - $10,000
Room (Double)	$7,000 - $9,000	$7,500 - $9,500	$8,500 - $10,000	$6,500 - $8,500	$7,000 - $9,000
Meal Plan (Basic)	$4,500 - $5,500	$4,500 - $5,500	$4,000 - $5,000	$4,000 - $5,000	$4,000 - $5,000
Meal Plan (Premium)	$5,500 - $6,500	$5,500 - $6,500	$5,000 - $6,000	$5,000 - $6,000	$5,000 - $6,000
Residence Deposit	~$750 - $1,000	~$500 - $1,000	~$500 - $1,000	~$500 - $750	~$500 - $750

Note: Meal plans are typically mandatory for first-year students living in traditional residence styles. Apartment-style residences may offer optional or reduced meal plan requirements. Always check the specific university's residence agreement for details.

Living-Learning Communities

Many smaller Ontario universities offer Living-Learning Communities (LLCs) designed to connect students with shared academic interests or social identities. These communities provide a unique opportunity to live with peers who share your passions, participate in tailored programming, and often have direct access to faculty and specialized resources.

Brock University: Offers various LLCs, often tied to specific faculties or academic programs (e.g., Business, Science, Humanities). These communities provide academic support, social events, and opportunities for mentorship.
Trent University: Known for its collegiate system, which inherently fosters smaller communities. Beyond the colleges, Trent also offers specific LLCs focusing on themes like leadership, sustainability, or academic programs.
Ontario Tech University: Provides LLCs for students in specific programs, such as Engineering, Health Sciences, or Business, aiming to enhance academic success and peer support.
Lakehead University: Features LLCs that cater to academic programs (e.g., Engineering, Nursing) and cultural interests, promoting a supportive and engaging living environment.
Nipissing University: Offers LLCs that often align with academic disciplines or student interests, providing a focused residential experience with dedicated programming.

Students interested in LLCs should indicate their preference during the residence application process. Spaces are often limited and assigned based on eligibility and application strength.

Application Process

The residence application process generally follows a similar timeline across these universities. Key steps and dates include:

Application Opening: Residence applications typically open in late fall or early winter (e.g., November-February) for the following academic year.
Application Submission: Students usually apply online through the university's residence portal. This often involves completing a questionnaire, indicating room preferences, and paying a non-refundable application fee or deposit.
First-Year Guarantee Deadline: To be eligible for the first-year residence guarantee, students must typically apply by a specific deadline, often in early June (e.g., June 1st for Brock, Trent, Ontario Tech, Lakehead, and Nipissing). This usually requires accepting your offer of admission to the university and submitting your residence application and deposit by the specified date.
Offer of Residence: Residence offers are usually sent out in late June or early July.
Acceptance Deadline: Students typically have about one week to accept their residence offer and pay a further deposit.
Room Assignment: Room assignments are generally communicated in late July or early August.

Important Considerations:

Non-refundable Deposits: Be aware that residence application fees and initial deposits are typically non-refundable.
Early Application: Even with a guarantee, applying early is often recommended, especially if you have specific room type or LLC preferences.
Conditions for Guarantee: Always review the specific conditions for the first-year residence guarantee, as they may include minimum academic averages or specific application deadlines.

Off-Campus Housing

For students who do not secure a spot in residence, prefer independent living, or are in upper years, off-campus housing is a viable option. All these universities provide resources to assist students in finding suitable accommodations.

University Housing Services: Most universities have an off-campus housing office or online portal that lists available rentals, provides landlord information, and offers resources on tenant rights and responsibilities.
Online Platforms: Popular websites like Places4Students.com, Kijiji, and local Facebook groups are frequently used by students to find apartments, rooms for rent, or house-sharing opportunities.
Typical Costs:
Rent: Varies significantly by city and type of accommodation.
Brock (St. Catharines): $600 - $900/month for a room in a shared house; $1,200 - $1,800+/month for a 1-bedroom apartment.
Trent (Peterborough): $550 - $850/month for a room in a shared house; $1,100 - $1,700+/month for a 1-bedroom apartment.
Trent (Durham - Oshawa): $650 - $950/month for a room in a shared house; $1,300 - $2,000+/month for a 1-bedroom apartment.
Ontario Tech (Oshawa): Similar to Trent Durham.
Lakehead (Thunder Bay): $450 - $750/month for a room in a shared house; $900 - $1,500+/month for a 1-bedroom apartment.
Lakehead (Orillia): $550 - $850/month for a room in a shared house; $1,100 - $1,700+/month for a 1-bedroom apartment.
Nipissing (North Bay): $500 - $800/month for a room in a shared house; $1,000 - $1,600+/month for a 1-bedroom apartment.
Utilities: Often extra and can include electricity, heating, internet, and water, typically ranging from $100 - $250/month depending on usage and shared costs.
Groceries: Budget approximately $300 - $500/month.
Transportation: Consider public transit passes or car expenses.

Students are advised to start their off-campus housing search early, especially in competitive markets, and to be aware of common rental scams. Always view the property in person (or via a trusted representative) before signing a lease and transferring funds.

Official Sources

Always verify current information on official websites.

Brock University Admissions: https://brocku.ca/admissions/
Trent University Future Students: https://www.trentu.ca/futurestudents/
Ontario Tech University Future Students: https://ontariotechu.ca/future-students/
Lakehead University Future Students: https://www.lakeheadu.ca/future-students
Nipissing University Future Students: https://www.nipissingu.ca/future-students