Freshman Residency Exemption
Please Note: National research shows that freshmen who live in the residence halls tend to experience greater academic and personal success during their college career. Our experience at Valdosta State University has been consistent with these findings. For this reason, VSU requires incoming freshmen (first year, first time students) to live in the residence halls, but housing is not guaranteed. It is based on a first-come, first-serve basis. A first year student may apply for an exemption if they fall into one of the categories listed below:
- Living with and commuting daily from the legal residence of a parent, legal guardian, or grandparent within a 50 mile radius of Valdosta;
- Married.
- Single parent.
- 20 years of age prior to September 30 of the academic year.
All freshmen who do not plan to live on campus--including those who fall into one of the above categories-are required to complete and submit a Freshman Residency Exemption Form. The student will receive a written reply from the Office of Housing and Residence Life. All materials are due thirty (30) days prior to the first class day of the term of which the exemption is requested.
You may download the Freshman Residency Exemption Form and submit it in person or mail it to the Housing & Residence Life office.
(Microsoft Word, Adobe PDF)
You may Complete and submit the Freshman Residency Exemption Form online.
Download the Parent Certificate - Must be notarized (Required only if you plan to commute) (Microsoft Word, Adobe PDF).
If you do not fall into the above mentioned categories and still would like to petition to live off campus you must submit a written appeal. Included in the appeal must be adequate documentation and explanation, clarifying why you should be exempt. Exceptions are granted by the Freshman Residency Appeals Committee based on the information provided. Note: The committee meets once a month (usually the last week of the month) to review appeals. You may submit a letter of appeal at anytime in the event that a situation arises. The following are possible reasons for exemption based on documentation and committee approval:
- Medical condition (To request release under this category, you must demonstrate the necessity of such a move with a doctor's letter on letterhead and your personal outline of the change in physical or emotional health you anticipate due to a change in your living situation.)
- Extreme change in financial situation
- Other extenuating circumstances illustrating hardship, exceptional need, etc.