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Residency Requirement and Commuter Student Policy

Residency Requirement

Loyola requires every student to live on campus for three (3) academic years, or until attaining Senior standing. Campus residents are also required to take advantage of the many dining options on campus by carrying a meal plan.

Appeals for exemption from the residency requirement should be submitted in writing to the Office of Residential Life via the Housing Exemption Request form. Subject to review and approval, a student may be granted exemption from Loyola’s residency requirement if they meet one or more of the following criteria:

  • 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 below for details)
  • Student has previously completed three (3) years of full-time college enrollment at an accredited institution of higher education; OR student has attained Senior standing (90 earned credit hours) at Loyola University New Orleans.  Credits transferred in from AP credits or dual enrollment credits during high school will not count toward your credit hour total for the residency requirement.  
  • Student turns 22 years of age on or before the first day of classes for the fall term of the academic year
  • Student is an honorably discharged veteran
  • Student is or becomes legally married (proof of legal marriage required); OR student is or becomes the biological parent or legal guardian of a dependent child
  • 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
  • Student graduates or matriculation is formally terminated at Loyola University New Orleans

Learn more about how to apply for a Housing Exemption.

Submission of a housing exemption request does not imply nor guarantee that the request will be granted; students should assume that their request has not been granted until written confirmation is received from the Office of Residential Life.

Commuter Student Policy

The following zip codes represent the acceptable and approved commutable distance for First Year, Sophomore, and Junior students at Loyola:

Ama - 70031

Arabi - 70032

Chalmette - 70043

Destrehan - 70047

Gretna - 70053, 70056

Harvey - 70058-70059

Kenner - 70062, 70065

Luling - 70070

Marrero - 70072

Meraux - 70075

Metairie - 70001-70003, 70005-70006

New Orleans - 70012-70119, 70121-70131, 70139, 70143, 70146, 70163, 70170

Saint Rose - 70087

Violet - 70092

Westwego - 70094

Students who wish to request a housing exemption and who meet the criteria for commuter status must submit a housing exemption request form with appropriate documentation by the stated deadline. Student will be notified in writing of the outcome of their request by the Director of Residential Life.