It's an online lottery held before fall and spring semesters for students who wish to get a full-time parking contract. Students may enter the lottery each semester, but entering does not guarantee a parking contract. Parking contracts are good for one semester only. The benefits of a contract include:

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1. Log into the lottery sign-up using your University internet ID and password.
2. The system will automatically designate you as either a commuter or residence hall student.
   • Commuter students select up to three contract locations.
   • Residence hall students indicate their cost preference.
3. Submit your application.

Lottery Method
The lottery is conducted in three rounds. In the first round, names are selected on the day after the lottery sign-up closes. Selected students will receive an e-mail notification by noon. The dates for each round and the deadlines to respond are outlined in the Terms and Conditions.

Students who accept a parking contract will immediately receive a purchase confirmation e-mail. The fee for the semester will be automatically charged to your university student account.

Prior to the start of the semester, commuter students will receive their keycard/hangtag by mail at the address listed on their lottery application. Residence hall students will pick up their keycard/hangtag at their hall on move-in day.

Unclaimed contracts from the first round will be drawn again in the second and third rounds of the lottery. Any remaining unclaimed contracts will go on sale at the PTS customer service desk (main office) the week before the start of the semester (Monday, January 12 for Spring 2009).

Students may review their status in the lottery at any time by logging into the system. Results from each of the drawing dates are available online by noon of that day. At the conclusion of the lottery, all students not selected for a parking contract will be notified of their status by e-mail.

Lottery Dates
Spring Semester 2009                 November 3 – December 4, 2008
Fall Semester 2009                     TBD

Enter the lottery
The lottery is unavailable each night from 1-5 am for server maintenance.

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The fee is posted directly to your student account.

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Spring Semester 2009           November 3 – December 4, 2008
Fall Semester 2009               TBD

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You can enter anytime throughout the day EXCEPT 1-5 am. The server is undergoing routine maintenance during that time.

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• Undergraduate students must re-enter the lottery for fall and spring semester
• Graduate students who received a full-time contract for fall semester may renew the contract for spring and summer semesters by sending an e-mail request to parklot@umn.edu. Spring semester deadline is November 21. Summer semester deadline is April 23. Renewal requests MUST be received prior to those deadlines or your contract cannot be renewed.

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The lottery is conducted in three rounds. At the end of each round, selected students will receive an e-mail notification and have a few days to decide and respond. The dates for each round and the deadlines to respond are outlined in the Terms and Conditions. Students may review their status in the lottery at any time by logging into the system. Results from each of the drawing dates are available online by noon of that day. At the conclusion of the lottery, all students not selected for a parking contract will be notified of their status by e-mail.

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You can choose the "Decline" option from the payment window. (If you decline, you will be deleting your name from any remaining drawings for that semester.) If you want to cancel your contract after you have paid for it, just bring your hangtag/keycard to our office along with your home address and we will gladly process a refund for the remainder of the contract

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While the lottery entry is open, you can go in at any time and change your choices.

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Commuter students will receive their hangtag/keycard 3-4 weeks before the start of classes. Be sure to use an address for where you will be at that time. Oftentimes, permanent addresses work best. Resident hall students will pick up their permit at their residence hall.

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Unclaimed contracts will go on sale at the PTS customer service desk (main office) the week before the start of the semester (Monday, January 12 for Spring 2009).

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It varies by semester, but plan for 60-70%.

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No, everyone has the same chance.

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No. Evening Semester Contracts are usually available and the rates run about half the cost of standard contracts. Contract holders have access to their assigned facility from 4:00 pm-7:30 am, M-F, and all day Saturday and Sunday. Visit the customer service desk at the PTS main office.

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Yes, the FREE Campus Connectors run near every facility with the exception of C57 and C66. View the shuttle routes

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• Park in a daily rate facility for $3.75.
• Look at off-peak parking options to see if they might work for you.
• Consider carpooling, biking or taking the bus/light rail to campus. The unlimited ride U-Pass is good on every metro area bus route and light rail for the low cost of $84.

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Computers are located in the PTS main office lobby for your use. Computer kiosks are also located around campus.

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