Frequently Asked Questions

The “Promise” Intersegmental Affordable Student Housing Building is a collaborative project between UC Merced and Merced College, designed to support the transition of community college transfer students into UC Merced’s academic community.

Scheduled for completion in late 2026 and with occupancy by Spring 2027, the building will include 488 beds allocated between UC Merced and Merced College students, along with a dedicated Transfer Student Resource Center and other building amenities.

Promise Housing is designed to expand access to stable, affordable housing for Merced College students while creating a clear, supportive pathway to transfer and success at UC Merced. Located on the UC Merced campus, Promise Housing provides residents with direct access to university amenities, resources, and campus life—helping students build familiarity, confidence, and continuity as they progress toward transfer and degree completion.

Promise Housing is on the campus of UC Merced on Bellevue Road opposite the El Portal residence hall.

Promise Housing is available to students who are enrolled at Merced College and UC Merced.

Eligibility Criteria for Merced College Students:

To live in Promise Housing located on the UC Merced campus, applicants must meet all of the following requirements:

• Age: Must be 18 years or older (some exceptions may be made)
• Enrollment: Must be a full-time student and be enrolled in 12 or more credits
• Financial Aid: Must be Pell Grant eligible or receive the FAFSA-equivalent award
• Academic Standing: Must have a 2.0 GPA or higher
• Conduct: Must be in good standing
• Single-student Housing Only: Promise Housing is single-student housing and is rented by the bed, with each resident holding their own individual housing contract. Promise Housing does not accommodate family or dependent housing arrangements and does not offer units designed for couples or families.

Housing is not guaranteed, even for eligible students, as space is limited. We strongly encourage you to apply as soon as the application opens to increase your chances of securing a bed.

Promise Housing is single-student housing and is rented by the bed, with each resident holding their own individual housing contract.

• All occupants must be eligible, enrolled students and must qualify independently for housing.
• Minors or non-students (including children or other dependents) are not permitted to reside in Promise Housing.
• Promise Housing does not accommodate family or dependent housing arrangements and does not offer units designed for couples or families.

Promise Housing includes a range of shared spaces that support daily student life, studying, and community use. Amenities include a community kitchen, resident lounges, study rooms, and meeting rooms for both individual and group use. A multipurpose event room and Transfer Student Resource Center will support programs, meetings, and student services.

Additional amenities include no-cost, on-site laundry facilities, an outdoor courtyard with varied seating and living-room-style areas, and secure bicycle and scooter lockers to support alternative transportation and convenience.

This housing community is a central element of the Merced Promise, a statewide-supported initiative funded through the California Higher Education Student Housing Grant Program (enabled by Public Law Senate Bill 169), aimed at providing affordable, on-campus housing to reduce market-rate competition and improve transfer rates from Merced College into University of California Merced.

This dedicated state-level funding enables Merced College and UC Merced to be able to provide additional housing without diverting funds from existing priorities of serving our students. The program is specifically offered to Merced College students to showcase university life and inspire opportunities for transfer from Merced College to UC Merced.

Construction is ongoing. The building is expected to be completed late Fall 2026 and open for occupancy in Spring 2027.

UC Merced offers transit options on-campus, including the CatTracks service and the Merced bus system. All residents in Promise Housing will have access to these services when they are operational.

Visit taps.ucmerced.edu for more information.

The Promise Housing facility is located on UC Merced’s campus. Students attending Merced College will need to use transit or other transportation options to travel between the housing site and the Merced College campus.

To support safe travel, UC Merced and the City of Merced have been awarded a Safe Streets for All grant to construct separated bike lanes along Bellevue Road, connecting the UC Merced campus to G Street. Existing bicycle lanes are already in place along G Street between Bellevue Road and the Merced College campus, providing a continuous and improving bike route.

The Promise Housing facility will have an enclosed “bike barn” for students to store bikes, scooters, and other devices. Students are strongly encouraged to register their devices with the University of California Police Department and should always lock up their devices in approved areas using a secure bike lock.

Campus housing is designed to be an all-inclusive option with no hidden fees. Rent includes utilities such as electricity, water, trash, and internet, as well as furnished living spaces and access to on-site amenities. Students also benefit from onsite support from professional staff and peer leaders, creating a safe and supportive living environment.

When compared to many off-campus housing options in Merced, campus housing offers predictable monthly costs and added value. Off-campus housing often requires separate payments for utilities, internet, furniture, transportation, and security deposits, which can increase overall expenses and make budgeting more difficult. Additionally, off-campus housing options often have stricter requirements for students to lease unit without a stable rental history.

While individual costs may vary, campus housing provides a convenient, supportive, and cost-transparent option for students seeking a stable living experience.

Although housing is eligible to be covered by financial aid, the amount of coverage is best determined by speaking to a financial aid specialist. Any student receiving financial aid may utilize funds to pay for the cost of housing. (It is important to note that the financial aid process is separate from the student housing process and that each applicant’s financial aid is different).

The development is intentionally designed to foster interaction, community, and inclusivity among students from both institutions. Shared residential spaces, common areas, and amenities encourage daily interaction and opportunities for connection.

Programming and community-building activities will be coordinated by Resident Assistants (RAs) and housing staff to bring students together through social events designed to create a welcoming environment where students feel supported, respected, and connected regardless of their home institution.

By combining shared spaces, intentional programming, and on-site staff support, the development aims to build a cohesive residential community that promotes collaboration, belonging, and mutual understanding.

Yes, Resident Assistants (RAs) along with other UC Merced clubs and organizations will offer many opportunities for all members of the Promise Housing community to engage and connect with the campus and each other.

There are a total of 488 beds:

• 287 for UC Merced Students
• 191 for Merced College Students
• 9 beds for Resident Assistants (RAs)
• 1 bed for the Residence Education Coordinator

These allocations may be adjusted over time based on demand and operational needs

Yes. Orientation will include dedicated orientation programming to help students understand the housing community, shared facilities, campus resources, and expectations prior to move-in.

Throughout the year, Merced College students will also have access to on-site housing staff who can assist with questions, connect them to appropriate campus resources, and help navigate living in a shared residential environment. The goal is to ensure Merced College students feel welcomed, supported, and fully integrated into the residential community while maintaining clear connections to their home institution.

Resident Assistants (RAs) are students who live in the community and are assigned a group of student residents. They help improve the resident experience and handle emergency and safety protocols.

Promise Housing is designed with multiple layers of safety, combining building security features with ongoing campus police presence.

From a building and design perspective, access to residential-only areas is restricted through card-access systems. Security cameras are installed throughout the community and have been reviewed and approved by the UC Merced Police Department. The main lobby is designed with transparent glass to maintain clear visibility in and out of the building, and exterior areas—including walkways and the courtyard—are well-lit to support safety at all hours.

From an operational standpoint, UC Merced Police Department officers patrol the campus 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and Police Dispatch is available at all times. In addition to sworn officers, Public Service Ambassadors (PSAs) regularly conduct patrols and area checks.  UCMPD also partners with Residential Education staff to support community engagement and maintain a visible, supportive presence in and around the housing community.

Promise Housing is managed in partnership between UC Merced and Merced College, with UC Merced taking a leadership role because of the housing located on their campus.

No, Merced College students are not required to transfer to UC Merced in order to live in Promise Housing.

However, transferring to UC Merced or another four-year university is strongly encouraged!

Yes, Merced College students living on the UC Merced campus must meet all tuberculosis (TB) and immunization requirements, following the same policy as UC Merced students.

View requirements: https://health.ucmerced.edu/immunizations/immunizationrequirements

If you’re not sure where your immunization records are, don’t worry — there are several places you can check:

• Previous Healthcare Providers: Contact any doctors, clinics, or public health departments you visited, including childhood doctors. If a practice closed or changed hands, the records might be stored by a medical records company (you may need to pay a small fee to access them).
• Home: Search through old papers, baby books, school or camp forms. If you’re an adult, your parents might still have your childhood records.
• State or Local Immunization Registry (IIS): Many states and cities have vaccine registries. They might not have all records, but it’s a good place to start. Find contact information at:
  • CDC - www.cdc.gov/vaccines/programs/iis/contacts-locate-records.html.
  • California Registry - https://myvaccinerecord.cdph.ca.gov/
• Schools or Colleges: Contact any schools, colleges, or other post-secondary institutions you attended.
• Previous Employers: Some jobs, especially in Healthcare or the military, may have copies of your immunization history.
• Local Health Department: You can call the CDC Information Contact Center at 800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636) to get the phone number for your local health department.

If You Can’t Find Your Records:

If records are lost, you have options! Please discuss with your own Healthcare Provider or contact the Merced College Student Health Services Office at (209) 384-6045.

Most students will have already received the required immunizations, particularly if they attended public school in California. For those needing additional vaccines, the process can take 2-3 months and may involve costs depending on the provider.

Yes. Promise Housing is rented by the bed, and most students should expect to share a bedroom or unit with one or more roommates, depending on the unit type.