<p>I want to post for the first time on this forum to make parents aware of the UIC (university of Illinois - Chicago) housing contract. You sign up for a full year and if your child leaves the school after the fall term, you have until the start of spring term to find a replacement for their room. We are out of state so have limited contacts in the Chicago area and were unable to find anyone through the UIC webpage or facebook. We are now paying full housing costs at 2 colleges with UIC being $2600.00 (75% of the total cost) plus a 100.00 cancellation fee!! Of course UIC has since found a replacement so they will be getting double payment for the room. This message is a warning to parents to check this out carefully and be prepared if you are out of state.</p>
<p>So, that has been the policy for a while now. It is no secret. They were getting tired of people signing one year contracts and then leaving and being with an empty room with no housing payment.</p>
<p>Sorry but I don’t know the history since UIC is in another part of the US for me. I knew that we would pay if the room remained empty. My mistake was in thinking that if they filled the room immediately after the start of the spring term, I would get some money back. So, my fault.</p>
<p>I just want to make other “out-of-state” parents aware in case they make the same mistake I did. These students may be the first to decide not to stay a full year and move closer to home. Read the contract carefully and set up a plan for getting someone to take over the contract ASAP. Remember that it will be holiday time also. It is not an easy time to try and get the word out.</p>