West Virginia University has a first-year live on requirement.
All undergraduate students coming to WVU Morgantown campus with less than 24 credit hours are required to live in a WVU residence hall. Beginning Fall 2023, first-time freshmen and first-time transfer students with less than 24 transferable credit hours not earned while in high school who fail to complete the housing application will be assessed housing charges (a charge for the standard double room rate will be posted to the student account). Students may petition to be exempted from the requirement but must formally request an exemption via the housing portal, along with the entire housing application to be considered for an exemption. Please be advised that by submitting a request this does not guarantee a student be exempt from living in a residence hall.
Students should not sign a binding off-campus lease unless approved for an exemption from the first-year live on requirement.
To help clarify our updated policies, please refer to our FAQs:
Why live on campus?
All students are required to live in a residence hall because campus living can improve your academic engagement and provides a safe living environment, as well as the full Mountaineer experience.
- Studies have shown that students who live on-campus get better grades and are more likely to graduate in four years.
- You will develop friendships and help build a community with students who live next door, down the hall or on the floor below.
- You'll meet people from across the country and around the world and learn about them, and their cultures — and maybe more about yourself, too.
- Convenience is key — we'll take care of all the details so you can focus on schoolwork and being the best Mountaineer you can be.
Who is required to live in a residence hall?
All incoming undergraduate students with fewer than 24 credits.
I am coming in with more than 24 credits, but they are dual credits/AP courses. Do I qualify for a housing exemption?
No. You are still required to live in a residence hall, as you are considered a first-time freshman. Any credit hours earned by a student while in high school will not be considered.
I’m a transfer student with more than 24 credits. Do I need to live in a residence hall?
No. You are not required. You are, however, eligible to apply to live in a residence hall. You can complete the housing application at myhousing.wvu.edu.
What qualifies me for an exemption from the first-year on-campus living requirement?
- Students who live in the following contiguous counties (commuters must reside at the admissions address on file and reside with their parent(s) or legal guardian(s)):
- West Virginia: Harrison, Marion, Monongalia, Preston, Taylor and Wetzel
- Pennsylvania: Fayette and Greene
- Students that are married, custodial parents of child and military veterans with one year of consecutive active-duty military service (not to include Basic Training and Military Occupational Specialty Training) are also eligible for an exemption from the first-year on-campus living requirement if necessary supporting documentation is provided. West Virginia University does not offer residence hall accommodations for students with dependents. Students with dependent children may consider residing in WVU University Apartments.
- Other exemptions involving special circumstances/exceptions will be reviewed and considered by the WVU Housing Review Committee. Requests may be submitted via the housing application at myhousing.wvu.edu.
What if I’m a non-traditional student (over the age of 20)?
Students that reach their 21st birthday by September 1 of their first year on campus are not required to live in the residence halls.
What if I am seeking a medical exemption?
Students seeking a housing exemption due to medical diagnosis must register with the Office of Accessibility Services (OAS). Housing does not accept, receive or review/consider any medical documentation. Students must register with OAS.
I would like an exemption, but I don’t fall into any of the categories mentioned. How will my request be reviewed?
The Housing Review Committee will review exemption requests and documentation on a case-by-case basis.
How do I apply for an exemption?
You can file for an exemption through the myhousing.wvu.edu portal. You must complete the entire application to be considered for a housing exemption.
What is the penalty for not living in a residence hall if you have been denied a housing exemption?
Students who fail to apply for housing or who have not been exempted from the first-year on-campus living requirement will be assessed charges equivalent to the standard double-room rate for the corresponding term. This charge will be placed on a student’s account when bills are assessed each fall/winter.
Do I need to let the Housing office know about my exemption if I believe I automatically qualify (ex. I live in a contiguous county)?
Yes. You must file for an exemption through the housing portal (myhousing.wvu.edu). You may believe you are exempt from the first-year on-campus living requirement but do qualify for an exemption based on our records. All exemptions must be registered and approved at myhousing.wvu.edu. This includes students intending on commuting from their home address (Commuters must reside at the permanent address on file and reside with their parent(s) or legal guardian(s).).
I have housing secured. Do I need to do anything else?
If you’ve applied for WVU housing through myhousing.wvu.edu, you do not need to do anything else.
Is it too late to apply for housing?
It’s never too late to apply, but it’s tough to accommodate special request(s) after March 1. Housing is provided on a first-come, first-served basis.
Where can I find the list of accommodations and exemptions?
- Students who live in the following contiguous counties:
- West Virginia: Harrison, Marion, Monongalia, Preston, Taylor and Wetzel
- Pennsylvania: Fayette and Green
- Married students
- Custodial parent of a dependent child
- Student has at least one year of consecutive active-duty military service not to include Basic Training and Military Occupational Specialty Training
- Students that have reached their 21st birthday by September 1 of the fall semester during their first year on campus
We submitted an exemption request, and we didn’t receive a response?
It’s most likely that you navigated to the exemption request page but didn’t complete the entire housing portal. The entire application needs to be submitted. Re-visit the application at myhousing.wvu.edu.
Why has this policy changed?
WVU has had a first-year on-campus living requirement for many years. We modified the commuting requirements and will enforce penalties for failing to abide by the policy.
I have a sibling that goes to WVU who lives in an off-campus apartment, and I would like to live with them. Would that be considered for an exemption?
No, exceptions will not be granted for students requesting to live with a sibling or a relative.
How long does it take to hear back?
Once an exemption is filed, it can take up to two weeks for students to receive a response from the Housing Review Committee.
If I live in an exempted county, should I live off-campus?
We recommend students live in a residence hall, even if they live in an exempted county, because it gives them a head start on their path to success. Studies have shown that students who live on campus are more likely to graduate with a college degree, have higher-quality interactions with other students, are more engaged with advisors and faculty and are linked with better learning engagement and academic success when compared to students who live off campus.
I signed my WVU housing contract, but now I would like to be exempt. Is that possible?
For questions about housing and FYLOR, please contact the Housing Assignments Office at 304-293-2811 or WVU-Assign@mail.wvu.edu.
*Cost subject to change based on Board of Governors yearly budget.