Housing Exemptions

All First-Year/Freshman and Sophomore students are required to live on campus and carry a meal plan at Loyola University New Orleans. The Sophomore residency requirement is posted in the University Bulletin, on the University website, and in the Student Code of Conduct. Incoming First-Year students and rising Sophomores must apply for housing exemptions each year they want to live off campus; living off campus during one year does not grant you an exemption for future years.

Students living on campus receive the benefits of safety, convenience, proximity to classes and academic resources, and access to a vibrant 24-hour social network of peers from around the country and the globe. Campus residents also tend to perform better academically, be more involved in student organizations and activities, and be more satisfied with their college experience in general.

Submitting a Request

All requests for exemption from the University's housing requirement must be submitted by the requesting student, and should include:

  1. Completed Housing Exemption Request Form
  2. Appropriate supplementary information and/or documentation, as outlined below

Submission of a completed Housing Exemption Request should not, on its own, be considered an approval. Residential Life will contact each student in writing to confirm the outcome of the exemption request. Students whose exemption requests are incomplete or denied will be required to submit a Residence Hall Contract and will be assigned housing. 

Deadlines

It is in the student's interest to submit the exemption request early. The deadlines to submit housing exemption requests are:

  • Fall Term (Returning Students) - March 14
  • Fall Term (New/First-Year Students) - June 1
  • Spring Term (New/FIrst-Year Students) - November 1

Required Documentation

Exemptions to the University housing requirement will be considered for a limited number of reasons, each of which requires a specific set of documentation:

  1. Student lives with parent(s) or legal guardian in the New Orleans metropolitan area, defined as a physical address within commutable distance (approx. 25 miles) of Loyola’s campus. Refer to Loyola's commuter policy for a listing of zip codes that qualify as commutable distance. DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED: 1) Parent/guardian must submit a statement in writing attesting that the student will reside at the permanent address with parent/guardian for two years, or until student otherwise meets requirements for off campus housing, AND 2) Proof of parent occupancy at permanent residence (ie, copy of utility bill with parent name and address).
  2. Student has completed two (2) years of previous, full-time college enrollment at an accredited institution of higher education; OR student has attained Junior status (56 earned credit-hours) at Loyola University New Orleans. DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED: Copy of transcript(s) (unofficial transcripts accepted).
  3. Student turns 21 years of age on or before the first day of classes for the fall term of the given academic year. DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED: Proof of age.
  4. Student is an honorably discharged veteran. DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED: Proof of discharge status.
  5. Student is or becomes legally married, or student is or becomes biological parent or legal guardian of a dependent child. DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED: Marriage certificate or proof of parental guardianship.
  6. Student participates in student teaching, academic internship, or a special University program that requires the student to be away from the New Orleans metropolitan area for the semester or major portion thereof. DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED: Proof of acceptance to program or statement from sponsoring faculty/Registrar confirming participation in program.
  7. Student graduates or withdraws from the University. DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED: Student must file for graduation and have established a commencement term, or complete an official withdrawal form, which required the signature of the Director of Residential Life.

Other Special Housing Accommodations

Loyola is committed to providing appropriate housing accommodations to meet the needs of students with documented disabilities or special circumstances. Learn more about Requests for Special Housing Accommodations.

Appeals

If you believe you have an extenuating circumstance for which you would like to request a housing exemption, but that is not otherwise addressed by the housing exemption policy, you may submit an appeal in writing to the Director of Residential Life.

Your appeal must include 1) An explanation of the rationale for your request, 2) Clear and thorough documentation to support your request, and 3) A personal statement discussing how you believe commuter status would benefit you in your academic and co-curricular pursuits at Loyola.

Appeals will be considered by a review board, and a determination communicated in writing. Appeals should be submitted by the established deadlines, and should not be considered granted until official written notification is received from the Director of Residential Life.

Appeals may be mailed to:

Office of Residential Life
6363 St. Charles Ave.
Campus Box 126
New Orleans, LA 70118

Or hand-delivered to:

Office of Residential Life
Biever Hall, 1st Floor (BE 106)