At HAC, our steadfast dedication to students comes first, no matter what.
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Who We Are, What We Do
The Housing and Accommodation Centre (HAC) plays a pivotal role in addressing issues with university students’ housing, transit houses, and housing for hostel officers. HAC is also responsible for providing services and taking care of concerns relating to amenities such as washing machines, cafeterias, hostel’s maintenance services and so on, as well as dealing with matters linked to the management and financing of university hostels and other accommodation. HAC also focuses on matters of administration and management of hostels, including human resources, training and discipline.
Better Together!
As reflected in our Vision, Mission and Objective, HAC is geared towards providing world - class service to USM students and staff. We strive to provide the best living experience on campus; as we believe campus life is about making friends and connections, while at the same time acquire new knowledge and experience in a conducive living environment. This is inline with USM’s Global Village idea, an agenda that supports distinguished learning experience among local and international students.
We have strived to provide the best living facilities with new and unique characteristics to cater for the students’ needs and interest. HAC will continue to serve USM and our dedicated staff and student ambassadors are committed to providing students with gold standard services and with a genuine heartfelt hospitality at all times. As indicated in our motto, we are “Not the Usual”; we look forward to serving you gracefully throughout your campus residency period.
Welcome on board
SAY HELLO
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Aras 1, Bangunan H23 Kompleks Cahaya Siswa, Bahagian Hal Ehwal Pembangunan Pelajar & Alumni. Universiti Sains Malaysia 11800 USM Pulau Pinang TEL : 604-653 4459/4456
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Aras 1, Bangunan H23 Kompleks Cahaya Siswa, Bahagian Hal Ehwal Pembangunan Pelajar & Alumni. Universiti Sains Malaysia 11800 USM Pulau Pinang TEL : 604-653 4459/4456
• ELIGIBILITY •TYPES OF ACCOMMODATION AND ROOMS •HOSTEL RATES, PAYMENTS AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE •APPLICATIONS AND CANCELLATION •AMENITIES, FACILITIES AND CAFETERIAS •DURATION OF STAY •ALTERNATIVE HOUSING OUTSIDE CAMPUS •OTHERS
Q1 :
Am I eligible for student accommodation?
A1 :
All registered USM students are eligible to seek accommodation. Based on the availability of rooms.
Q2 :
What are the eligibility requirements to apply for accommodations?
A2 :
Students are eligible to apply for hostel accommodation regardless of their student status (registered/non-registered). However, to register and finalise the room, students ought to be registered officially.
Q3 :
I am a married postgraduate Student. My spouse and/or children will be accompanying me in USM, Penang, Malaysia. How do I secure a family accommodation before I reach there?
A3 :
In this case, students are highly advised to ensure their accommodation before they arrive here. For limited family house units, HAC cannot guarantee students exact time for availability of the house. Please apply through this link https://forms.gle/3PxnbpZ6EmXmaQdw5
Q4 :
What are the types of student accommodation available?
A4:
At the moment, we have single and sharing rooms available. Only a few rooms offer air conditioner and shared balcony
Q5 :
Which hostel type is better?
A5 :
Choose the type that suits your aspiration of residence and participate fully during your stay.
Q6 :
What are the hostel room types available?
A6 :
The room types for the 7 hostels are as follows.
DESASISWA (HOSTEL) - ROOM RATES AND DETAILS
AMAN DAMAI
INDAH KEMBARA
BAKTI FAJAR PERMAI PETAS (BFPP)
CAHAYA GEMILANG HARAPAN
RESTU
SAUJANA
TEKUN
Q7 :
What is included in a standard hostel room?
A7 :
The hostel rooms are furnished with bed, mattress, wardrobe, table and chair. You have to bring/buy your own pillow, bed linen, blanket and other daily necessities. If you wish to bring any electrical appliances, please obtain the necessary approval from your respective hostel management office prior to bringing them to your hostel room.
Q8 :
What are the hostel rates?
A8:
Please refer to question 6 above
Q9 :
When and how do I pay the hostel fees?
A9 :
Students can pay their room rents once the fees are visible on their ePayment portal. Payment can be done through. https://epayment.usm.my/main/and students must update their payments to their respective hostel management.
Q10 :
What are the modes of payment for hostel fees?
A10 :
Students can pay at USM bursary counter. For online payment, Students can also use online portal. Please click the link for payment https://epayment.usm.my/main/
Q11 :
If I’m accepted in any Desasiswa, but I didn’t check-in my room for the whole semester, will my hostel fees be returned? If yes, what are the procedures to do so?
A11 :
In this case, students hostel fees will not be charged until they check-in into their hostels. However, for scholarship/loan holders, students must inform their hostel management to avoid getting charged on the hostel fees to their respective hostel management.
Q12 :
When do I apply/register for accommodations?
A12 :
Students can apply at any time of the year through our online links. However, students are only eligible to register for the rooms after completing the total registration process via the admission department.
Can I apply for both sharing room and single room at the same time?
A14 :
Student can apply for both sharing room and single room at the same time. However, only one room HE/ SHE will acquire.
Q15 :
If I am offered and I have accepted a sharing room and thereafter also offered a single room, can I change my hostel?
A15 :
Yes. Students have to go their hostel management to settle with their preferred room.
Q16 :
Can I check in advance who my roommate will be?
A16 :
Yes.
Q17 :
How do I cancel my accommodation stay?
A17 :
Students need to clear all the dues and bring the original contract form to the hostel management to cancel the contract of staying.
Q18 :
When do students get to apply for hostel again?
A18 :
The applications will be available at least two months before the new academic session begins. Students will be given enough time for appeals in case their application is unsuccessful.
Q19 :
If my Borang A expires, is it possible for me to extend the duration of it?
A19 :
For this case, yes students may extend their duration but with the approval from their school’s dean and Nerve Centre.
Q20 :
Will final year students be given priority to get the hostel?
A20 :
For most cases, final year students will be given the priority, but based on the availability of the hostel’s rooms and the quotas allocated.
Q21 :
When do I know I am getting my placement at desasiswa for next semester?
A21 :
Students will get know to their placement at least a month before the next academic session begins. For appealing, the application will be available for a week after the initial results announcement.
Q22 :
How do I know if I have successfully rejected desasiswa’s offer last time?
A22 :
For this case, student’s desasiswa offer will automatically be cancelled once they press the “Reject” button in their Campus Online offer.
Q23 :
When will the hostel result will be released?
A23 :
The hostel results will be announced at least one month before the new academic session begins.
Q24 :
Can I apply for hostel only for Semester 2? If yes, how can I apply?
A24 :
Yes students may apply only for certain semesters with the approval from school’s dean and Nerve Centre. Students can apply through the Borang A.
Q25 :
My school’s courses are 100% via online, can I apply to come back to campus because of inconducive living environment in my house? If yes, what are the procedures?
A25 :
This case will be referred as special case, students may address this issue to school’s dean and apply to come back to campus with school’s dean approval.
Q26 :
I’m a Postgraduate student, may I know if I can check-out any time or are there any certain times?
A26 :
For postgraduates, students can check-out any time, but it’s highly recommended to inform the hostel management at least one (1) week earlier to settle down the payment issues.
Q27 :
Can final year student go back to university even though our course is fully online next semester?
A27 :
Students can only come back to campus if they have special requirements such as laboratory or field work. However, subjects depend on their school’s dean and Nerve Centre’s approval.
Q28 :
How far is the cafeteria, shop or restaurants from my hostel?
A28 :
All the hostels have their own cafeteria, where students can experience a wide range of foods.
Q29 :
What are the facilities and amenities available at the hostels?
A29 :
Almost all the hostels have prayer room, TV room, Common space, washing machine facilities and also have pantry equipped with modern equipment.
Q30 :
What are the existing security measures in place at the hostels?
A30 :
For the security measurement USM has 24 hours security force, roaming around the whole campus. In addition, CC cameras are spotted in the major areas. All the rooms have built-in smoke detector and fire extinguishers.
Q31 :
How long can I stay in a student accommodation?
A31 :
For postgraduate students, residents can stay for their entire duration of study. For undergraduate students. accommodation is offered based on annual.
Q32 :
Can I request to stay for a shorter period of time than the stipulated period of stay?
A32 :
Yes. (subject to the decision of HAC).
Q33 :
I am unable to secure a student accommodation. What are my alternatives?
A33 :
If you are unsuccessful in your application for USM in-campus accommodation you are advised to source for alternative private off-campus accommodations. If you wish to appeal for special consideration you may contact Housing Accommodation Centre (HAC) via email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
In the event of withdrawals and rejections, such vacancies will be reoffered to you. This reoffer process may stretch into the semester. If you are urgently in need of an accommodation, we strongly advise you to look for alternative accommodations.
Q34 :
Can I keep pets in my hostel?
A34 :
Keeping pets is not allowed inside the hostel premises.
Q35 :
Can I use my personal electronic appliances like air conditioner, microwave or gas cooker?
A35 :
Certain things are not allowed to keep inside the room, without informing the hostel authority office. For example, Air conditioners, Induction cookers and refrigerators, etc.
Q36 :
Can I have place for my car parking?
A36 :
There are designated place for car parking. However, for space limitation, we cannot allocate your parking space.
Q37 :
Do final year students get accommodation when applied?
A37 :
All students are subject to the university’s decision as well HAC hostel placement rules.
Q38 :
If I stay off campus, will I be allowed to enter and leave whenever I like?
A38 :
Students are allowed to enter and exit campus with no restrictions. However, in a condition where the country enforces Movement Control Order (MCO), the university reserves the right to limit access and exit to campus for safety purposes.
Q39 :
Will I be able to attend face-to-face class or stay in room all the time?
A39 :
Please note that it is subject to each individual school whether classes will be conducted face-to-face or online. Students are advised to contact their schools to confirm if they will attend physical classes or not.
Q40 :
Can we choose our own roommate?
A40 :
For 1 st year students, the roommate is automatically assigned according to their schools by the hostel management, meanwhile for 2 nd year and above, this is subject to the hostel management’s decisions.
SAY HELLO
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Aras 1, Bangunan H23 Kompleks Cahaya Siswa, Bahagian Hal Ehwal Pembangunan Pelajar & Alumni. Universiti Sains Malaysia 11800 USM Pulau Pinang TEL : 604-653 4459/4456
