First Year Live-On Requirement

First Year students who attend Valdosta State University are required to live in on-campus housing during their first year (a full two terms of fall and spring semesters) of enrollment.

Any undergraduate student new to Valdosta State University with less than 30 earned credit hours earned without Advanced Placement and/or Dual Enrollment credit hours is required to live on campus for an entire academic year. This requirement includes students accepted by the Office of Admissions as a first-time, full-time student (12 credits per semester) or a transfer student.

You may use the chart below to determine whether or not you are eligible for an exemption to the First Year Residency Requirement. If you fall into the Eligible for an Exemption column for any of the reasons, you are able to request an exemption to the requirement. Please note that exemptions must be requested if you seek to secure an exemption. You must apply via the portal.

Students may not cite first year live on requirement exemption after signing the contract as basis for release of contract. This means that before seeking housing, they must ensure they are ready to live on campus due to contract requirements. Otherwise, they cannot state they are exempt according to the chart below after signing the contract in order to exempt living on campus – they would have to cite other reasons.

For students who feel that the First Year Residency Policy is applied incorrectly to their individual circumstances, they may request a release of contract if denied exemption for further review. It is recommended they provide all documentation that supports and further verifies their statement.

 

 Exemption Reasons

Required to live on Campus Eligible for an Exemption
Age Under the age of 20 prior to the day of the semester entering Valdosta State University. I will be 20 or over the age of 20 prior to first day of the semester entering Valdosta State University.
Marital Status I am not married and will not be prior to the first day of the semester entering Valdosta State University.

I am married or will be prior to the first day of the semester entering Valdosta State University.

Proof needed: Marriage license and/or officiary statement for your planned date of ceremony.

Parental or

Guardian Status

 I am not a parent nor a guardian.

I am a parent or a guardian, or will be a parent within 6 months of the start of the semester I enter Valdosta State University.

Proof needed: Child’s Birth Certificate and/or statement of expectancy on official letterhead signed by doctor. If a guardian, proof must be shown that you are legal appointed guardian. If a father, proof must be shown that you have financial responsibility/involvement to the mother whom we have their documentation proving birth or expectancy.

# of credits

enrolled for

 By the end of the first two weeks of the semester I am entering VSU, I will be enrolled in at least 12 hours. In the semester I am entering VSU, I will not be enrolled in at least 12 hours.

# of credit hours earned prior to entering

 I have less than 30 hours of accepted academic credit. Credits earned via Advanced Placement or Dual Enrollment hours may not count towards this. I have more than 30 hours of accepted credit hours that were not earned via Advanced Placement or Dual Enrollment hours. Admissions/Registrar office will be contacted to provide proof.
Residency I do not live with my parents or guardians within 50 miles driving distance from Valdosta State University.

I live with and am commuting daily from the legal residence of a legal guardian within a 50- mile driving distance from Valdosta State University.

Proof needed: a Parent certificate must be notarized and mailed in. We do provide a free Notary in the Housing Office.

How to Apply for Exemption

If you are a new student follow these steps:

  1. Login to the Housing Portal using your active directory credentials.  If you have not set up your active directory credentials, please follow the Account Access Steps for New Users.
  2. Once logged in, click the Application link in the red bar if you are on a computer.  If using a mobile device, please click on the 3 bar menu and selection Application. 
  3. Select the appropriate term to continue.  The housing exemption application is built into the housing application.  You will select which application you want to submit from a drop-down menu.  Please select Housing Exemption. 
  4.  Complete all steps of the process and the Housing Office will notify you when a decision has been made.