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Westminster University requires all undergraduate students to live on campus for the first 2 years of enrollment. First- and second-year students may request a residency exemption for the following reasons:

  • The student has an ADA accommodation that prohibits them from living in campus residence halls
  • The student has documented financial hardship through their most recent FAFSA and/or additional documentation
  • Students living with parents or family within 20 miles of the university
  • The student is enrolled in 11 credit hours or less on the first day of class for reasons other than ADA accommodations
  • The student is married or has legally dependent children
  • The student is 21 years of age on the first day of classes

Incoming new students can apply for a residency exemption through the admissions portal. Current students can apply for a residency exemption through eRezlife.

Students applying for an exemption are also required to complete their housing registration. Applying for an exemption is not an automatic guarantee—if your exemption is denied you will be required to fulfill the two-year residency requirement.

Residency Exemption Timeline

Incoming Students

  • Application opens March 2, 2026
  • Priority deadline for submission is May 1, 2026
  • Decisions will be made on a rolling basis

Current Students

  • Application opens March 9, 2026
  • Deadline for submission is April 3, 2026
  • Decisions will be made on a rolling basis

Housing Agreement Cancellation

The Student Housing Agreement is a binding contract between residential students and Westminster University and valid for the entire academic year, defined as Fall and Spring semesters. Every residential student signs the Student Housing Agreement prior to picking up room keys.

You can cancel or request to be released from your Student Housing Agreement until the end of business on the Fall Semester Add/Drop Deadline. To cancel the Student Housing Agreement past the Fall Semester Add/Drop Deadline, contact Residence Life.

You may request to cancel your Student Housing Agreement if you:

  • Withdraw from all academic classes
  • File a formal leave of absence
  • Become a legal guardian of a minor
  • Become legally married
  • Enroll in study abroad for the academic term
  • Graduate from Westminster University

You cannot be retroactively released from the Student Housing Agreement for the reason of living locally with a parent or family member nor turning 21 years of age after the first day of classes. To live off-campus for these reasons, you must submit a housing exemption prior to signing the Student Housing Agreement.

If cancellation is approved, you will be charged a pro-rated housing fee calculated from the date of occupancy until the date you vacate the residence hall and keys are returned to Residence Life.