Residency Requirements

If a student submits their intention on the first day of the Housing Contract:

• Residency Exemption: They will forfeit the housing deposit but 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. 
• Housing Contract: The previously charged penalty (of taking no action) will be applied to the Housing Contract.

If a student submits their intentions after the first-day of the contract period:

• Residency Exemption: They will forfeit the housing deposit and receive a refund fee based on the current Housing Contract refund policy/schedule.
• Housing Contract: The previously charged penalty (they incurred upon taking no action) is applied to the Housing Contract. 

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.

The 60-mile exemption criterion specifically applies to students living with a parent or legal guardian at their primary residence. 

Living with another relative, friend, or other individual does not automatically qualify a student for an exemption under this criterion. 

No. Summer housing does not count toward the two-semester Residency Requirement. Only fall and spring semesters are considered when determining whether a student has fulfilled the requirement. 

Students can apply through the Ball State Housing Portal by following these steps: 

1. Visit www.bsu.edu/campuslife/housing/apply-for-housing and select Visit the Housing Portal. 
2. From the top navigation menu, select Residency Exemption.
3. Click Begin Application.
4. On the Exemption Reason page, select all reasons that may apply to your circumstances and provide a detailed explanation when prompted.
5. Upload any required supporting documentation.
6. Carefully review your information and submit your application.
7. Monitor your application status directly through the Housing Portal. 

Students are required to live in University residence halls for two semesters unless they meet another established exemption criterion. Only fall and spring semesters count toward fulfilling the two-semester Residency Requirement. 

Transfer students may qualify for a Residency Exemption if they have earned 24 or more college credit hours after graduating from high school or have completed at least two semesters of on-campus housing at another institution of higher education. 

Dual credit courses completed during high school do not count toward the 24-credit-hour transfer exemption requirement. 

Transfer students are strongly encouraged to contact the Office of Housing and Residence Life before signing an off-campus lease to confirm their eligibility. 

Students enrolled in a fully online degree program may qualify for a Residency Exemption. Students must be enrolled in a fully online degree program to qualify under this criterion. Taking individual online courses does not necessarily mean a student is enrolled in a fully online degree program. 

Students enrolled in fewer than nine credit hours may qualify for a Residency Exemption. Students who wish to live off campus must complete the Residency Exemption process and receive approval. 

Yes. Students who are married or are the custodial parent of a dependent child may qualify for a Residency Exemption. 

Supporting documentation is required to verify eligibility. 

Yes. Students who begin their enrollment in the spring semester are still subject to the Residency Requirement. 

For example, a student who begins in Spring 2027 and lives on campus during both Spring 2027 and Fall 2027 will have fulfilled the two-semester Residency Requirement at the conclusion of Fall 2027. 

Students who have earned 24 or more Ball State-accepted credit hours after graduating from high school may qualify for a Residency Exemption. 

Credits earned through dual credit courses while attending high school do not count toward the 24-credit-hour requirement. 

No. Living within 60 miles of campus does not automatically qualify a student for a Residency Exemption. 

To qualify under this criterion, students must live with a parent or legal guardian at their primary residence within 60 miles of campus. 

The parent or legal guardian's address at the time the student applied for admission to Ball State is considered the primary residence for purposes of this policy. 

Students must complete the Residency Exemption application, provide required documentation, obtain parent or legal guardian acknowledgment, and receive approval from the Office of Housing and Residence Life. 

Transfer students who have completed two or more semesters of on-campus housing at another institution of higher education may qualify for a Residency Exemption. 

Supporting documentation verifying previous on-campus residency is required. 

If you have not fulfilled the University's Residency Requirement, you must receive an approved Residency Exemption before you are permitted to live off campus. 

Signing an off-campus lease, living with friends or family, or choosing not to live in University housing does not automatically exempt you from the Residency Requirement. 

Students who will be 21 years of age before the beginning of the term for which they are enrolling may qualify for a Residency Exemption. 

Students who turn 21 after the beginning of the term do not qualify under the age criterion for that term. 

No. Meeting an exemption criterion does not automatically exempt you from the Residency Requirement. Students must complete the Residency Exemption application through the Housing Portal and receive official approval from the Office of Housing and Residence Life. 

Students requesting an exemption to live with a parent or legal guardian must provide documentation verifying the parent or legal guardian's primary residence. 

Acceptable documentation may include a mortgage statement, lease agreement, or utility bill. 

All documentation must clearly display the parent or legal guardian's first and last name, the residential address, and a relevant date. 

The parent or legal guardian must also complete an acknowledgment confirming that the student will reside with them. 

Students who begin their enrollment in a spring semester and fulfill the two-semester Residency Requirement at the conclusion of the following fall semester may request to cancel the spring portion of their housing contract without incurring cancellation damages. 

Students must complete the appropriate housing cancellation process through the Office of Housing and Residence Life. Fulfilling the Residency Requirement does not automatically cancel a housing contract. 

You are still required to meet the two-semester requirement. Please note that the Summer Semester does not count towards the Residency Requirement. 

If the student meets the residency requirement at the end of the following Fall Semester, they can cancel their Housing Contract without incurring the cancellation policy. 

Students experiencing extenuating circumstances may request consideration for a Residency Exemption. 

Students must provide a detailed explanation of their circumstances and submit supporting documentation with their initial application. 

Requests based on extenuating circumstances are reviewed by the On-Campus Residency Exemption Committee, which may make a recommendation to the Vice President for Student Affairs. Approval is not guaranteed. 

Students whose parent or legal guardian has moved since their original application for admission must provide documentation verifying both the previous and current residential addresses. 

Additional documentation may be requested to determine eligibility under the University's Residency Requirement Policy. 

Ball State University requires first-year students to live in University residence halls for at least two semesters unless they meet an approved exemption criterion. Living on campus provides students with opportunities to connect with peers, access campus resources, build independence, and become part of the Ball State community.  
 
Students who are subject to the Residency Requirement must complete a University housing contract or receive an approved Residency Exemption. 

Students may qualify for a Residency Exemption if they meet one or more of the following criteria: 

• Will be 21 years of age before the beginning of the term for which they are enrolling. 
• Have earned 24 or more Ball State-accepted credit hours after graduating from high school. 
• Have lived in university residence halls for two semesters. 
• Are enrolled in fewer than nine credit hours. 
• Are enrolled in a fully online degree program. 
• Are married or are a custodial parent of a dependent child. 
• Will reside with a parent or legal guardian at their primary residence within 60 miles of campus. 
• Are transfer students who have earned 24 or more college credit hours after high school graduation or have completed at least two semesters of on-campus housing at another institution of higher education.
• Have documented extenuating circumstances that warrant consideration for an exemption. 

Students must complete the Residency Exemption process and receive official approval before being considered exempt from the Residency Requirement.

Students who have not completed two semesters of on-campus residency are generally required to live in University residence halls. This includes incoming first-year students, students beginning their enrollment in the spring semester, transfer students who do not meet the exemption criteria, and continuing students who have not yet fulfilled the requirement. 

Students who meet an established exemption criterion may request permission to live off campus by completing a Residency Exemption application through the Housing Portal. Students must receive official approval before they are considered exempt from the Residency Requirement. 

Ball State University's Residency Requirement is designed to support student success and help students build a strong foundation during their college experience. 

Research has shown that living on campus can positively contribute to academic success, student engagement, and a sense of belonging. Students living in the residence halls have convenient access to campus resources, academic support, involvement opportunities, and a community of peers. 

The Residency Requirement reflects the University's commitment to providing students with an environment that supports their academic, personal, and social development during their transition to college. 

No. All Residency Exemption decisions are final. There is no appeal or resubmission process. Students should ensure their initial application includes all applicable exemption reasons, complete information, and required supporting documentation. 

Yes. Students should select all exemption reasons that may apply to their circumstances. Because students are permitted only one Residency Exemption submission, it is important to review all available criteria and include every applicable reason before submitting the application. 

No. Students must submit all required and available supporting documentation with their initial application. 

Additional documentation will only be considered if the documentation or information was not available at the time of the original submission. 

Documentation that was available but omitted from the initial submission will not be accepted afterward. 

No. Submitting an application does not guarantee approval. 

Students remain responsible for fulfilling the University's Residency Requirement until they receive an official approval notification from the Office of Housing and Residence Life. 

Residency Exemption applications are reviewed in order of submission by the Office of Housing and Residence Life. Processing times may vary depending on the volume of requests and whether all required information and documentation have been provided. Students can monitor their application status directly through the Housing Portal. 

Students begin receiving email communications from the Office of Housing and Residence Life after they have been admitted and confirmed their enrollment at Ball State University. 

These communications provide information about the Residency Requirement and instructions for completing a University housing contract or submitting a Residency Exemption application. 

Students who have not completed either process will continue to receive email reminders until they have taken the necessary action to satisfy the requirement. 

Students are responsible for reviewing University communications and completing the appropriate process by the established deadlines. Not reading or responding to these communications does not exempt a student from the Residency Requirement or associated financial obligations. 

Students will receive an official decision notification via their Ball State email regarding their Residency Exemption application. Students may also monitor the status of their application directly through the Housing Portal. An exemption is not considered approved until an official approval decision has been issued. 

Yes. Students who have completed a housing contract may still apply for a Residency Exemption. 

However, receiving an approved Residency Exemption does not automatically cancel an existing housing contract. 

Students must complete the appropriate housing cancellation process, and applicable cancellation charges will depend on when the contract is canceled. 

Students experiencing significant financial circumstances may request consideration for a Residency Exemption based on extenuating circumstances. 

Students must provide a detailed explanation of their financial circumstances and supporting documentation with their initial application. 

Financial circumstances do not automatically qualify a student for an exemption, and approval is not guaranteed. 

Students are responsible for confirming their eligibility for a Residency Exemption before entering into an off-campus lease. 

Signing an off-campus lease does not exempt a student from the University's Residency Requirement or release them from an existing University housing contract. 

If a Residency Exemption application is denied, the student remains responsible for fulfilling the Residency Requirement regardless of any off-campus housing commitments. 

Refund eligibility depends on the date of cancellation and the applicable housing contract refund schedule. 

Students who cancel after the May 31 cancellation deadline but before the housing contract begins will forfeit their housing deposit but will not incur additional cancellation damages. 

Students who cancel after May 31 and/or after the housing contract begins are subject to the applicable cancellation charges and refund schedule. 

An approved Residency Exemption does not guarantee a full refund. 

No. Approval of a Residency Exemption does not automatically cancel an existing housing contract. 

Students with a completed housing contract must separately complete the appropriate housing cancellation process through the Office of Housing and Residence Life. 

Students remain responsible for any applicable cancellation charges under the terms of their housing contract. 

Documentation requirements vary depending on the reason for requesting an exemption. 

Students will be prompted to upload supporting documentation when required. All documentation must be complete, accurate, and submitted with the initial application. 

Students are responsible for ensuring that all necessary documentation is included before submitting their request. The more information supplied, the better. 

Students who receive an approved Residency Exemption after the housing contract start date may then request to cancel their housing contract. 

Because the contract period has already begun, students will be subject to the applicable cancellation charges and refund schedule outlined in their housing contract. See the housing contract for cancellation damages details. 

The housing deposit will also be forfeited. 

Students who receive an approved Residency Exemption before their housing contract begins may request to cancel their housing contract. 

Students who cancel after the May 31 cancellation deadline but before the contract start date will forfeit their housing deposit but will not incur additional housing contract cancellation damages. 

Students who are subject to the Residency Requirement must take action to fulfill the University’s policy. 

Failure to complete a University housing contract or receive an approved Residency Exemption by the established deadline may result in a Residency Requirement Non-Compliance Fee and other applicable housing charges. 

Students are encouraged to address their Residency Requirement status as early as possible to avoid unnecessary financial obligations. 

Students are responsible for ensuring that all information submitted with their Residency Exemption application is accurate and complete. 

Incomplete or inaccurate information may affect the review and outcome of the request. 

Students should carefully review their application and supporting documentation before submitting it, as there is no appeal or resubmission process. 

Students who complete a housing contract after being assessed the Residency Requirement Non-Compliance Fee will have the previously assessed charge applied toward their housing contract. 

Depending on when the contract is completed, students may also be responsible for applicable room and board charges for the semester or semesters in which they were not in compliance with the Residency Requirement. 

Students who receive an approved Residency Exemption after being assessed the Non-Compliance Fee may be eligible for a full or partial refund based on the date of approval and the applicable housing contract refund schedule. 

Exemptions approved after the housing contract start date are subject to the established refund schedule. 

An approved exemption does not automatically guarantee a full refund. 

Students whose Residency Exemption applications are denied remain subject to the University's Residency Requirement. 

Students must complete a University housing contract unless they have otherwise fulfilled the requirement. 

Failure to comply with the Residency Requirement will result in accruing the Residency Requirement Penalty Fee. 

The Residency Requirement Non-Compliance Fee is assessed to students who are subject to the University's Residency Requirement but have neither completed a University housing contract nor received an approved Residency Exemption by the established deadline. 

Students are responsible for taking the necessary steps to comply with the Residency Requirement, even if they do not intend to live on campus. 

Students subject to the Residency Requirement must have either a completed University housing contract or an approved Residency Exemption on file by August 15, 2027. 

Students who do not meet this requirement by the established deadline will be assessed a Residency Requirement Non-Compliance Fee. 

Students are strongly encouraged to submit their Residency Exemption application before May 31, 2027, for priority review. 

Applications submitted after May 31 will continue to be accepted and reviewed. However, students are encouraged to apply as early as possible to allow sufficient time for processing and avoid potential financial obligations associated with the Residency Requirement. There is no guarantee that Residency Exemptions submitted after the priority review deadline will be reviewed before the beginning of the academic year. 

Students who have questions about their Residency Requirement status, exemption eligibility, required documentation, or housing contract obligations should contact the Office of Housing and Residence Life. 

Students are strongly encouraged to seek clarification before signing an off-campus lease, submitting a Residency Exemption application, or making decisions that may affect their housing contract or financial responsibilities.