Contract Cancellations

Your housing contract is LEGALLY BINDING. Before making the decision to cancel, please read the On-Campus Housing Contract Terms and Conditions. If you still want to cancel, you must do so on / before the below dates to avoid penalties:
  • If your contract begins the fall semester, the deadline is March 1 for Current Students and May 1 for New Students.
  • If your contract begins the spring semester, the deadline is November 1.
  • If you contract after the above deadlines have passed, you can cancel up to two weeks (fourteen days) from the receipt date of your contract.

If you haven't moved in, your cancel date is the date you submit your cancellation request. If you have moved in, your cancel date is the date you complete a proper check-out.

New Admitted Students who wish to cancel their admission and housing must withdraw through the Application Change Form

All other students must cancel in AccessPlus, by following these steps: these steps. If you can't use AccessPlus, please email housing@iastate.edu for assistance.

If you cancel after the deadlines - and remain enrolled at ISU - you will incur the following penalties:
  • 50% of the remaining fall and spring value of your current housing assignment.
    • Unassigned residents are assessed 50% of a Wilson double room.
  • 80% of the remaining fall and spring value of your meal plan and non-refundable issuance of all DD.
    • Residents in meal plan required areas who have not yet selected a plan are assessed 80% of a Gold Plan.
  • The $125 prepayment will be forfeited if you were required to pay it that academic year.

If you have already moved in, in addition to the housing and dining penalties and forfeiture of the prepayment, you will also be charged room and board until you have officially moved-out.

Exceptions - The cancellation penalty will be waived for residents in the following situations once their status has been verified:
  • Residents leaving ISU for any reason
  • Residents going on a co-op, internship, student teaching, or study abroad experience. These individuals must also submit a Waiver form.
  • Frederiksen and SUV residents who successfully complete a Contract Assumption.

If you cancel for reasons other than the above, you can submit an appeal to see if you are eligible for an exception.

Penalty Appeals

If you wish to appeal the cancellation penalty you may do so as follows. The reasons appeals are granted vary. We can't tell you how to write your appeal - it should be based on your personal situation and must include supporting documentation.

The cancellation penalty will remain on your U-Bill during this process. Any late fees associated with the penalty are your responsibility.

1st Level Appeal
  • You must e-mail your appeal to the Coordinator of Administrative Services within 30 days of the penalty appearing on your U-Bill.
  • Your appeal must contain your full name, ISU ID number, and the reason why you feel the cancellation penalty should not apply to you. The appeal should also be accompanied by any supporting documentation necessary.
  • Once all your materials are submitted, they will be reviewed and will email you a decision within 10 business days. 
2nd Level Appeal
  • If your 1st Level Appeal is denied, you can email the Assistant Director of Administrative Services for additional consideration, within 10 business days of receiving the 1st Level Appeal decision.
  • This appeal should contain all of the previously submitted material, plus any additional information / documentation.
  • Once all your materials are submitted, they will be reviewed and will email you a decision within 10 business days.
Final Appeal - The Contract Appeals Board
  • If your 2nd Level Appeal is denied, you can email the Contract Appeals Board for final consideration within 10 business days of of receiving the 2nd Level Appeal decision.
  • This appeal should contain all of the previously submitted material, plus any additional information / documentation.
  • The Board will review all submitted materials, including copies of the original 1st and 2nd Level Appeal submissions and will email you a decision within 10 business days of the Board’s meeting.
    • The Contract Appeals Board meets a maximum of three times each semester.
  • The decision of the Board is final and may not be appealed.