U of A First-Year Residences Compared: Lister, PLH, Alder and Linden

These are the U of A's published fall and winter 2026-27 rates for an eight-month contract. Rent includes internet, heat, water and power. Where a meal plan is required, the contract total adds the $6,332 seven-day plan.

Lister is a complex of towers for first-year students and upper-year student leaders. Henday, Kelsey and Mackenzie Halls were recently renovated with new bathrooms, windows and furniture. Rooms in those halls and Thelma Chalifoux Hall are doubles or singles rented by the bed, and Mary Schäffer Hall has suites. Lister has its own dining hall, study libraries, a gym, a music room and communal kitchens that aren't set up for full-time cooking.

Peter Lougheed Hall opened in fall 2017 on East Campus and houses more than 140 residents. The U of A describes its units as two-bedroom, dorm-style singles and suites, with a large dining hall and fitness space. Alder and Linden House suit students who want to cook: single rooms, one bathroom for every two residents, and a shared kitchen and living space.

Résidence Saint-Jean is a French-only community on Campus Saint-Jean, with a free shuttle to North Campus. First-year bachelor's students at Campus Saint-Jean are guaranteed a room there if they apply before April 30. At Augustana, the Hoyme Complex houses first-year students on floors with shared bathrooms. The Ravine Complex page lists first-year and upper-year students but also says it's designed for students entering second, third and fourth year, so ask Augustana housing if you're counting on it.

The U of A guarantees housing to first-year undergraduates who apply by April 30 for a fall move-in. The guarantee doesn't cover winter move-ins, and it doesn't promise your preferred residence or room type. The admissions timeline lists April 30, 2027 for a guaranteed spot in North Campus residences and says later applications may still be considered.

Two official pages disagree on when the Fall 2027 application opens. The residence apply page says applications open September 30 for the following year, while the admissions timeline says October 1, 2026. When we checked on September 30, the residence portal link was still labelled for Fall 2026 and Winter 2027, so recheck before you apply.

You can't apply for residence until you've applied to the U of A and received a CCID. The residence page says the CCID arrives within 72 hours of applying; the IT services page says within two days.

Residence Services tries to place you on the floor you ask for, but space is limited. If interest is low, you could be placed on a faculty or lifestyle floor you didn't choose.

The $500 deposit is non-refundable, but you avoid contract fees if you cancel a fall contract by July 31. If you don't reply to a room offer by its deadline, the application is cancelled and you lose any fees paid.

There are two refund exceptions. If you're refused admission to both your first- and second-choice programs, or an international student's study permit is refused, send Residence Services the letter within 10 days and before move-in. Once you or a proxy pick up keys, the contract has started and you owe rent to the end of it.