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NSE Housing Information

UH Hilo Home > Student Affairs > National Student Exchange > The National Student Exchange Process

On-Campus Housing

Note: You must be admitted before you are able to apply for on-campus housing. If you do not yet know your "Banner ID/User" number, you may enter your social security number on the on-campus housing application.

The UH Hilo Housing information page has details on the application process, current rental rates, and deadlines. You can access it via the UH Hilo home page <hilo.hawaii.edu> "Admission" link. Download the printable application. If you can pay the $10 housing application fee via credit card, you can fax the application and credit card charge info to the Housing office. Otherwise, mail the application and $10 check or money order to Housing. Be sure to write "NSE" at the top of the application.

Incoming Freshmen have first priority for on-campus housing, followed by Hawaii residents from rural areas or outer islands; students from Big Island; then students from the U.S. continent and foreign countries.

On-campus housing is not guaranteed.

Be sure to apply for housing as soon as possible and meet any deadlines. Then confirm your documentation and fees have been received and find out your processing status by contacting Housing at 808-974-7522 or <uhhhouse@hawaii.edu>.

Roommate requests can be listed on the housing billing/assignment statement sent to students after applications have been processed. The Housing Office states that they will try to accommodate requests, but actual roommate assignments are not made by the Housing Office until students physically arrive on campus.

Each residence hall has their own laundry room. To utilize the machines you will be required to purchase a laundry card with a declining balance that you may add to at any time. The card costs $3 and the card machine accepts $5, $10, and $20 bills.

The Spring 2012"On-campus Housing" applications are being accepted beginning September 1, 2011, as published on the UH Hilo webpage <hilo.hawaii.edu> "Housing Link". The priority deadline is October 7, 2011.

Campus Food Service

For Spring 2012, campus food service starts with dinner on Tuesday, January 3, 2012.

Off-Campus Housing

The Off-Campus Housing page has details about the various University-contracted off-campus housing locations, as well as community housing resources.

New Off-Campus "Referral" Website !!!

http://www.housing.hawaii.edu/och/

Note:

A link to the online version of the Hilo newspaper (Hawaii Tribune Herald) is available on "Helpful links" should you wish to search for rental listings.

Temporary Lodging

Just in case you end up not yet having secured lodging before you arrive (not recommended), here are two relatively inexpensive resources:

Travel Arrangements

When booking airline tickets, it is recommended that you book your flight through to Hilo—not Kona, which is on the opposite side of the island of Hawaii, aka "The Big Island"--unless you are flying on Continental--currently the only direct flights from the US Continent to Hilo. If you fly in to Kona, you'll either have to rent a car or fly "intra-island." BTW, the Big Island bus (Hele On) circles the island only once daily.

If you're flying in to the Big Island of Hawaii from another Hawaiian island (Oahu, Maui, etc.), book your "inter-island tickets" at the same time as the mainland ones because they are often cheaper when bought as part of the total travel package. In addition, this will allow you to check your luggage all the way through to Hilo from your initial point of departure.

If you plan to purchase a round-trip ticket, be sure to read the terms and conditions, particularly the time-frame within which you must use the return portion of the ticket. Sometimes you must use the ticket within 2-3 months. Since our semesters are 4 months, that wouldn't work!

Be sure to call your home airport beforehand for arrival time recommendations and security regulations before your departure. By the way, the Honolulu and Hilo Airports are considered to be among the safest in the nation.

If you deplane in Honolulu, do not exit the secured area! On the 3rd level of the main terminal you can catch a free "Wiki Wiki" shuttle to get to the inter-island terminal to catch your connecting flight to Hilo.

If, somehow, you miss the last flight to Hilo you can get a room at either the Honolulu Airport Hotel (808 836-0661) or the Best Western Airport Plaza Hotel (808 836-3636).

Transportation from Airport

The Hilo Airport is approximately 10 minutes away from the UH Hilo campus. To take a taxi to campus, it should cost around $12-15. Taxis are usually waiting curb-side at the airport. If no taxis are waiting, go to the Airport "Info Desk" across from the two baggage carousels.

NOTE: If you received an "on-campus" housing space and you will be arriving at the campus after 11:00PM, please call Housing in advance at 808-974-7522 to arrange for "late check-in."