Off-Campus Housing

For undocumented students, here are some helpful tips when looking for off-campus housing:

• Are utilities included in the rent?
• Can I purchase an on-campus meal plan?
• Do I require a furnished or unfurnished location?
• Do I rent month to month?
• Do I sign a year-long lease?
• Is a credit check required?
• Is a deposit required?
• Is a social security number required?
• Is the location on the CatTracks Bus route?
• Is there a fee for the credit check?

Off-Campus Housing Website

In partnership with Apartments.com, UC Merced created the Off-Campus Housing Website. Find rental listings, find roomates, and learn about scams & fraud! Listing include:

• Houses, Apartments and Condos
• Rooms in Private Homes
• Roommates Wanted

Frequently Asked Questions

I am on the waiting list for On-Campus Housing. What should I do?
First of all, decide if you want to look at off-campus housing as a permanent solution for the year, or if you may want to move to campus when/if your name comes up on the waiting list.

If you decide to live off campus as a temporary solution, and want to move on-campus if space allows, don’t commit to a lease. A lease is a binding contract, just like student housing on campus. You might want to look for a month-to-month agreement where you can move out with 30 days notice. Often, the best place to find these agreements is in a room in a private home or an apartment complex that agrees to those terms.

Can I buy meals and eat on campus?
Yes, anyone may purchase food at Valley Dining and the Library Café. You may pay using cash. For the quickest service, put dining credit on your Cat Card so you can simply swipe your card at the cashier station and go.

What do I do if I need furniture?
Some apartments and homes may be furnished. If yours is not, look for garage sales, discount stores, or Facebook Marketplace! Don’t think you cannot live without a full living room suite, however. Talk to your roommates, and pool your resources.

I won’t have a car. What type of transportation is available to me?
Commuting between campus and off-campus is quite simple. UC Merced students utilize the university shuttle system, CatTracks. CatTracks routes are available online and assist students in coordinating their daily travels. In addition, the Merced County Transit also offers municipal bus service, The Bus, for Merced County and Turlock in neighboring Stanislaus County. 

My financial aid was calculated for living on-campus. Now what do I do?
As soon as you know you will be living off campus, visit the financial aid office on the 1st floor of the Administration Building. The estimated cost varies with on and off-campus living. Do not wait until it is too late.

What advice would you give a first time renter?

• Read what is available on the off-campus site and become familiar with it.
• Choose your residence for the year carefully. Think about transportation issues, safety issues, and where your friends will be living. Keep all these things in mind when you are looking over a lease.
• Do not hurry to sign something and think you will “work out the details later”. Later is never better.
• Find and carefully choose your roommates. Sit down before you sign together and ask a lot of questions. Having a roommate you don’t mind coming home to help to make your life in the apartment less stressful.

Merced Off-Campus Apartment Communities

UC Merced does not investigate, endorses, or guarantee the accuracy of any listings referrals, the quality of the facility listed, or the listed individuals, companies, or firms. UC Merced does not investigate, endorses, or guarantee the suitability of those responding to the listing. Users of this listing communicate and contract with each other individually and at their own risk. The Regents, officers, agents, and employees of the University of California shall not be liable for any actions occurring as result of arrangements made between users of this listing or for any errors or omissions made in compilation or print of the listings.

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Please refer to the map for location and proximity to the UC Merced campus.