How to Submit Your Request

To submit a request to terminate your housing and dining contract, follow the steps below: 

1. Log on to my.pitt.edu using your University username and password.
2. Once you gain access to the website, search for Housing and Dining.  
3. Select Housing and Dining Information from the search results.
4. Find Housing and Dining Termination Request Form and choose Proceed to the Form.
5. Complete the form, attach documentation, and submit your request.

If you have any questions, please contact Panther Central. 

Incoming Guaranteed Students (“First Year Students”)

Terminating the entire contract before the fall term begins

• On or before July 1 – The Contract can be terminated for any reason, and the Housing Deposit will be refunded.
• Between July 1 and the day the residence halls open, as specified by the University Academic Calendar – The Contract can be terminated for any reason, but the Housing Deposit will be retained by the University. 

Terminating the contract after a term has begun (fall or spring, as applicable)

• After the day on which the residence halls open (as specified by the University Academic Calendar) but on or before 60% of the term is completed: The Contract can be terminated for qualified reasons, but the Housing Deposit will be retained by the University and the Student will be liable for a percentage of Housing and Dining Services Fees.
• After the date on which 60% of the term has been completed, the Contract cannot be terminated, except for qualified reasons, and no refunds or proration will occur.

Terminating the contract for the spring term before it has begun

• The Contract is for both the fall and spring terms; however, the Student may terminate this Contract for the spring term for a qualified reason, as long as the Student submits a Housing and Dining Termination Request Form by December 1 of the fall term specified by the Contract.
  • Please note: Panther Central is not able to release the Student from their Contract between terms in order to move off-campus or commute.
  • Exceptions will be made for students who are terminating their housing and dining contract for the Spring term only due to transferring or resigning from the University of Pittsburgh. Students should also submit a Housing and Dining Termination Request Form before December 1 in order to have their request approved. The housing deposit will be forfeited. 

Returning Guaranteed Students (“Upper-Class Students”)

Terminating the entire contract before the fall term begins

• On or before April 15 – The Contract can be terminated for any reason, and the Housing Deposit will be refunded.
• Between April 15 and June 1
  • Students who wish to terminate for one of the unqualified reasons, will have their termination request approved but will forfeit their Housing Deposit. The remainder of their Housing Guarantee will also be forfeited.
  • Students who wish to terminate for one of the qualified reasons will have their termination request approved. Their Housing Deposit will be refunded and they will retain their Housing Guarantee for the remainder of their Housing Guarantee eligibility.
• Between June 2 the day the residence halls open, as specified by the University Academic Calendar – The Contract can be terminated for a qualified reason, but the Housing Deposit will be forfeited to the University. 

Terminating the contract after a term has begun (fall or spring, as applicable)

• After the day on which the residence halls open (as specified by the University Academic Calendar) but on or before 60% of the term is completed: The Contract can be terminated for qualified reasons, but the Housing Deposit will be retained by the University and the Student will be liable for a percentage of Housing and Dining Services Fees.
• After the date on which 60% of the term has been completed, the Contract cannot be terminated, except for qualified reasons, and no refunds or proration will occur.

Terminating the contract for the spring term before it has begun

• The Contract is for both the fall and spring terms; however, the Student may terminate this Contract for the spring term for a qualified reason, as long as the Student submits a Housing and Dining Termination Request Form December 1 of the fall term specified by this Contract.
  • Please note: Panther Central is not able to release the Student from their Contract between terms in order to move off-campus or commute.
  • Exceptions will be made for students who are terminating their housing and dining contract for the Spring term only due to transferring or resigning from the University of Pittsburgh. Students should also submit a Housing and Dining Termination Request Form before December 1 in order to have their request approved. The housing deposit will be forfeited. 

Non-Guaranteed Students

Terminating the entire contract before the fall term begins

• The Contract can be terminated for any reason before the student has accepted a housing assignment on campus, and the Housing Deposit will be refunded.
• Once a Non-Guaranteed Student has accepted an assignment, the Student has 72 hours to submit a termination request for any reason if the housing assignment is no longer needed.
• After 72 hours, the housing assignment can be terminated for a qualified reason before the start of the term (Fall or Spring as applicable), but the Housing Deposit will be forfeited to the University

Terminating the contract after a term has begun (fall or spring, as applicable)

• After the day on which the residence halls open (as specified by the University Academic Calendar) but on or before 60% of the term is completed: The Contract can be terminated for qualified reasons, but the Housing Deposit will be retained by the University and the Student will be liable for a percentage of Housing and Dining Services Fees.
• After the date on which 60% of the term has been completed, the Contract cannot be terminated, except for qualified reasons, and no refunds or proration will occur. 

Terminating the contract for the spring term before it has begun

• The Contract is for both the fall and spring terms; however, the Student may terminate this Contract for the spring term for a qualified reason, as long as the Student submits a Housing and Dining Termination Request Form on December 1 of the fall term specified by the Contract.
  • Please note: Panther Central is not able to release the Student from their Contract between terms in order to move off-campus or commute.
  • Exceptions will be made for students who are terminating their housing and dining contract for the Spring term only due to transferring or resigning from the University of Pittsburgh. Students should also submit a Housing and Dining Termination Request Form before December 1 in order to have their request approved. The housing deposit will be forfeited. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the qualifying reasons to terminate my housing and dining contract?

Qualified reasons to terminate the housing and dining contract include:

• Graduation
• Study Abroad with a University-approved program
• Work at a Co-op or Internship
• Verified Medical Reason
• Military Service 

What are the unqualified reasons to terminate my housing and dining contract?

Unqualified reasons to terminate the housing and dining contract include:

• Resigning from the University of Pittsburgh (Oakland Campus)
• Transferring to another college
• Moving off campus or commuting
• Financial Reasons
• Any reason not listed under qualified reasons

How do I submit a housing and dining termination request?

To submit a request to terminate your housing and dining contract, follow the steps below: 

1. Log on to my.pitt.edu using your University username and password.
2. Once you gain access to the website, search for Housing and Dining.
3. Select Housing and Dining Information from the search results.
4. Find Housing and Dining Termination Request Form and choose Proceed to the Form.
5. Complete the form, attach documentation, and submit your request.

I’m having trouble submitting my termination request – what should I do?

Panther Central is open 24/7 to help you – please reach out to receive assistance with your request submission.

What type of documentation do I need to include with my termination request?

For qualified reasons to terminate the housing and dining contract, documentation could be:

• Graduation
  • Proof of graduation application, email proof from advisor acknowledging that you are graduating, proof of lack of enrollment, etc.
• Study Abroad with a University-Approved Program
  • Housing release form from Global Experiences Office or study abroad program, proof of acceptance to study abroad program with dates, etc.
• Work at a Co-op or Internship
  • Housing release form from your academic area, email proof from advisor acknowledging that you are working a co-op/internship, acceptance letter into co-op/internship with dates, etc.
• Verified Medical Reason
  • Documentation from a healthcare provider supporting the need to terminate the housing and dining contract
• Military Service
  • Documentation from the entity requiring the service with dates
• Non-Guaranteed Student Who Didn’t Receive Housing
  • Proof of email from Pitt housing regarding lack of housing and a signed and dated letter from the student that you are not living on campus this year, etc.

 

For unqualified reasons to terminate the housing and dining contract, documentation could be:

• Resigning/Withdrawing from the University of Pittsburgh (Oakland Campus)
  • Email proof from advisor acknowledging that you're resigning/withdrawing, proof of lack of enrollment, etc.
• Transferring to another college
  • Acceptance letter to new institution, email proof from advisor acknowledging that you're transferring, etc.

 

For any other reasons (only approved during the “terminate for any reason” period), documentation could be:

• Moving off campus
  • Signed and dated letter that you are not living on campus this year, a signed off-campus lease, etc.
• Commuting
  • Signed and dated letter that you are not living on campus this year, a signed off-campus lease, etc.
• Financial Reasons
  • Proof of financial hardship, etc.
• Any reason not listed under qualified reasons
  • Signed and dated letter that you are not living on campus this year

How are my prorated housing charges determined?

The Student’s prorated liability for the Housing Services fees will be determined by multiplying the predetermined Daily Rate of Housing Services by the number of days the student occupied the room, from the day on which the residence halls open (as specified by the University Academic Calendar) up to and including the day on which the Student last occupied their assigned University Housing accommodation.

• The Daily Rate is determined on a yearly basis by the Department of Housing Services, Dining Services, and Panther Central, prior to the start of the fall term. 

How are my prorated dining charges determined?

The Student’s prorated liability for the Dining Services fees will be determined by the Student’s usage of their meal plan up to and including the day the Student last utilized any portion of their meal plan.

• Usage is determined by subtracting the amount of Dining Dollars and Meal Swipes used from the total cost of the plan. 

Am I allowed to terminate my housing and dining contract in order to move off campus?

• If you are terminating your housing contract during the academic year, the University of Pittsburgh is not able to release a student from their contract to move off-campus.
• If you are terminating your housing contract before your applicable “terminate for any reason” deadline or you have not accepted a housing assignment yet (as a Non-Guaranteed Upper-Class student) then you may terminate to move off campus. Please see your category above for applicable deadlines.
• We strongly recommend that you do not sign an outside lease until you have received formal written approval of your University Housing and Dining Contract.

Am I allowed to terminate my housing and dining contract in order to commute?

• If you are terminating your housing contract during the academic year, the University of Pittsburgh is not able to release a student from their contract to commute.
• If you are terminating your housing contract before your applicable “terminate for any reason” deadline or you have not accepted a housing assignment yet (as a Non-Guaranteed Upper-Class student) then you may terminate to commute. Please see your category above for applicable deadlines.

Am I able to get my housing deposit back?

Eligibility for housing deposit return is based on deadlines, guarantees, and reasons for termination. Please reference your category above (ie. First Year, Upper-Class, Non-Guaranteed Upper-Class) to determine if you are eligible for a housing deposit refund. Please contact Panther Central if you are unsure of your eligibility.

Can I request a housing deposit refund for a previous semester?

Housing Deposit refunds are only eligible to be refunded for the current term. No past Housing Deposits can be refunded. In order to receive the Housing Deposit refund, the student must submit a housing and dining contract termination request.

How is the 60% mark of the semester determined?

The date on which 60% of the term is completed is calculated by multiplying the number of calendar days in the term (as determined by the University Academic Calendar) by 0.6 and then counting forward from the first day the residence halls are open. 

I don’t see my situation listed under “Qualified” or “Unqualified” reasons for termination. What should I do?

All other reasons and situations for the termination of this Contract are reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the University. Terminations are not guaranteed, and appropriate documentation is required to support any such requests, subject to the discretion of Panther Central.

How long is the housing and dining contract for?

The housing and dining contract encompasses the fall and spring term for the academic year or only the spring term for students who enroll for spring only. Students staying for the summer term or winter recess must sign an additional contract or addendum for that timeframe.

Please reference the 2023-2024 Housing and Dining Contract for more information. Please contact Panther Central with any questions.