Future Students

Housing

UI Residence Halls | UI Certified Housing | Apartments | Homestays

The following information is provided as a sample of housing options available to the University of Illinois Intensive English Institute (IEI) students. IEI does not specifically endorse nor supervise these residences and services. Students should make arrangements for housing directly with the manager of a property. All prices shown are subject to change, and apartment prices fluctuate seasonally.

Temporary Accomodations, Hotels and Motels

The Illini Union Hotel - Located in the heart of campus, the hotel features 72 guest rooms and is withing walking distance from the Intensive English Institute.

iHotel - The iHotel and Conference center is located in the Research Park at the University of Illinois. There is also a Starbucks and Houlihan's at the iHotel.

Hotel listing - provided by the Champaign County Convention and Visitors Bureau

UI Residence Halls

All University Housing residence halls feature on-campus locations, convenient services in the hall, and professional staff. Living on campus also means that you will be able to use your meal plan in any University Housing dining hall. Your choice to live with University Housing means you will be in the middle of it all!

If you are an IEI student and possess a University Identification Number (UIN), you are eligible for housing. Once admitted to the IEI you will receive an email from the Housing office with information on how to apply.

For more information about rates, please refer to the housing website.

See a summary of all University Housing options. (pdf)

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UI Certified Housing

All of the Private Certified Housing facilities are certified by the University of Illinois for all students. These facilities are part of the University's housing program. They offer comfortable and attractive living accommodations in a wide range of prices and sizes.

For a complete listing, please see the UI Certified Housing website.

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Apartments

Most apartments offer only 9- or 12-month leases beginning in August.  Students who arrive in January or June can find apartments with shorter leases.  Some apartments offer one-semester, individual leases for Fall and for Spring.  Apartments range from efficiency apartments with a combined living room/bedroom to models with more than one bedroom. In addition, apartments may be either “furnished” or “unfurnished”.  Students renting unfurnished apartments will need to buy or rent furniture for the bedrooms and living room. Students renting apartments may also have to pay for electricity, gas, telephone, and water.

Atrium Apartments - Many IEI students have lived in the Atrium Apartments - These are 4 bedroom, 4 bathroom apartments located off-campus in Urbana and serviced by the bus lines. Each bedroom in every apartment has its own lease and utilities are included. The rate for summer 2011 starts at $325. Leases for summer run from June 6 - August 13, 2011.

Roundtable House - The Mission of the Roundtable House is to extend the tradition of hospitality and to foster a cooperative living environment for students from around the globe. Lives are enriched by a dynamic, interdisciplinary experience of cultural and intellectual sharing in the Roundtable House Family. Become part of the Roundtable House family.
Four completely furnished, historic landmark residences near campus are home to 36 international students
Prices: Traditional one-year lease: Small room = $350 / Large room = $475,  plus $75 monthly shared expenses                Alternative lease: Small = $390 + expenses; Large = $540 + expenses Damage Deposit = $100. Learn more at www.roundtablehouse.com or call 360-632-7082.

COUCH - The Community of Urbana Cooperative Housing (COUCH) is a non-profit cooperative housing organization that supports and seeks to expand the cooperative movement in Urbana, Illinois. COUCH offers low-cost housing options in a friendly, community-oriented environment. Our members not only share the same roof, but also share the responsibilities of maintaining the house. If you live in the Champaign-Urbana area, and are interested in the co-op experience, COUCH may be right for you!

Apartment Finder Websites

You can log on to the following websites and do a “search” by entering your specifications – maximum amount of rent, number of rooms, type of unit, etc.

Leases:  Students should be sure that they understand all the terms of the lease before they sign it. A lease is a legally binding document, and the landlord may take legal action against a tenant if terms of the lease are broken.

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Homestays

If you want to live with an American family in Champaign-Urbana while you are studying at the Intensive English Institute you can choose to participate in a homestay program. Homestay rates include two meals a day: breakfast and dinner. Students normally have their own bedroom and study space. Bathrooms are usually shared with the family. Transportation to school and home may be by bus. Homestays for students in the IEI are arranged by a company called OvECS.  Please see the OvECS website for cost and application or contact them via e-mail at homestay@ovecs.com. You can apply on-line at their website at http://www.azhomestay.com/. The cost is approximately $660 for four weeks for room and meals plus a $180 initial placement fee. Students can stay a minimum of 4 weeks or continue for as long as they like. Remember, there is no typical US family. Some families are single parents with children, older couples whose children are grown, or couples with small or no children. Some families may have pets, and you must understand and follow the family rules.

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