Ball State University requires all incoming students to live in the residence halls for at least two semesters, unless they meet specific exemption criteria.

The Board of Trustees of Ball State University approved the policy relating to student residency that became effective for students entering the university beginning in the fall 2005 semester. This policy supports a richer college experience by fostering a sense of community.

Living on campus encompasses more than just a room and a bed. Our communities, facilities, and staff challenge students to excel inside and outside of the classroom to fly to new heights!

IMPORTANT - Signing an off-campus lease does not qualify as grounds for an exemption. Students are encouraged to not make any commitments for off-campus housing until they receive a written documentation from our office guaranteeing their exemption.

Review Residency Requirements

Exemption Requirements

A Residency Exemption allows students who meet specific criteria to live off-campus rather than in the residence halls. We understand that individual circumstances may vary, and this process ensures that students with unique situations can apply for an exception. Exemptions require a formal request and documentation for approval. Documentation does not guarantee approval of Residency Exemption. Once the Residency Exemption committee has completed their review and made a decision, no additional documentation will be accepted.

You may be eligible for an exemption if you meet one of the conditions listed below:

The student is living with a parent or legal guardian in the parent’s or legal guardian’s primary residence within a sixty (60) mile radius of campus. The address of the parent or legal guardian at the time of a student's application for admission to Ball State will be considered the primary residence for the purpose of applying this policy.

  • No additional documentation is required.
  • However, if the parent/legal guardian has moved since application to Ball State – Student must submit a notarized document with new address, proof of new residency (bill of sale, lease, with dates, etc.).
  • All submitted addresses will be verified to ensure legitimacy and compliance with the 60-mile radius requirement. Any address found to be inaccurate or outside the approved distance will result in the exemption request being denied.

1. The student has twenty-four (24) or more credit hours of Ball State University accepted credits achieved after their graduation from high school.

  • No additional documentation is required.

2. The student has lived in University residence halls for two (2) semesters but has not yet achieved twenty-four (24) credit hours.

  • Documentation of room and board bill/housing contract from previous institution is required.

3. The student is enrolled in fewer than nine (9) credit hours.

  • No additional documentation is required.

Students may request an exemption from this policy for extenuating circumstances for review by the On-Campus Residency Exemption Committee. Students must submit supporting documentation for this exemption.

  • A personal statement outlining the extenuating circumstance.
  • Any supportive documentation the student wishes to supply.

Examples of recommended documents for extenuating circumstances include:

  • Medical documentation/Letters from medical providers.
  • Financial hardship (tax returns, letters of employment termination/layoff, bankruptcy).
  • Military documentation (at least one year full-time, active duty).
  • Full-time employment documentation.

The student is married or is a custodial parent of a dependent child.

  • Must submit marriage license or birth certificate/adoption certificate of child.

The student is in a fully-online degree program.

  • No additional documentation is required.

The student is a transfer student with twenty-four (24) or more earned credits post high school graduation (dual credit courses do not apply towards the 24 credit hours completed) and/or two (2) or more semesters of on-campus housing at another institution of higher education prior to transferring to Ball State University. Transfer students are strongly encouraged to contact the Office of Housing and Residence Life prior to signing any off- campus lease to determine their eligibility to live off-campus.

  • If using the 24 credit hour exemption criteria: Please note that it takes time for transfer credits to be approved and accepted by Ball State. Please submit required records as soon as possible to ensure transfer credits have been added before the July 15 deadline.
  • If using the 2 semesters of residence hall residency at another institution – please submit housing contract/lease for that institution.

 The student will be twenty-one (21) years of age prior to the beginning of the term for which they are enrolling.

  • No additional documentation is required.

The student has twenty-four (24) or more credit hours of Ball State University accepted credits achieved after their graduation from high school.

  • No additional documentation is required.

Students looking to receive exemption from the residency requirements must complete a Residency Exemption on the housing portal. You’ll need to provide all relevant documentation based on your situation. Missing or incomplete materials can delay the approval process, so ensure that all necessary documents are provided. This will help avoid any delays in your review and approval. Exemption request needs to be submitted no later than 30 days prior to the beginning of the first semester of enrollment.

Our office will begin processing Residency Exemptions for the 26-27 Academic Year in late March.

Submitting an exemption request does not guarantee that your request will be approved. Students whose requests are denied will be required to complete a housing contract.

Apply for Residency Exemption

Please note: Students whose housing exemption requests have already been approved and decide to cancel their request in order to complete a housing contract must contact our office to gain access to the housing contract.

Incoming Ball State students who do not have a housing contract on file or an approved Residency Exemption by July 15, 2026 will be charged the lowest room and board rate for the semester(s) of violation. 

If a student submits their intention between July 15, 2026, and the day before the contract starts, they will receive a 100% refund of room and board charges (they incurred upon taking no action) once their Residency Exemption request has been submitted and approved.

If a student submits an approved Residency Exemption after the first-day of the contract period, they will receive a refund based on the current housing refund policy/schedule.
Once a student has signed a housing contract, they are ineligible to be approved for a Residency Exemption and will be charged the appropriate room and board rate for the period required to meet their residency requirement.
If a student is denied a Residency Exemption, they are expected to complete a housing contract to meet their residency requirement. If they fail to do so, they will be charged the lowest room and board rate for the semesters) of violation.

Questions?

If you have additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
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