Residency Requirements

At the University of Evansville, our three-year residency requirement is rooted in a deep commitment to student growth, connection, and success. It’s not just about where you live — it’s about how you live, learn, and thrive during your college journey.

Through our distinctive residential curricular approach, students gain the following from living on campus:

A foundation for lifelong growth – students are empowered to grow with independence through daily opportunities for personal discovery, meaningful relationships, and transformative moments that extend far beyond the classroom.
Holistic development – students engage in experiences that promote:
- Professional success – Building real-world skills, networking, and career readiness.
- Community-mindedness – Learning to be active, responsible citizens who contribute to positive change.
- Personal development – Gaining emotional intelligence, resilience, and a strong sense of identity.
- Diverse understanding – Embracing others, empathy, and global awareness.
A supportive, purposeful environment – students are surrounded by peers, mentors, and staff who are invested in their academic, social, and emotional success.

The UE residency requirement is an investment. It ensures that students are immersed in a community that nurtures them to pursue their potential to become effective contributors in a changing world.

The residency requirement can be completed by living in the residence halls, apartments/townhouses, fraternity housing, and Harlaxton.

All Residency Exemption Requests must be filed before June 1 for the Fall semester and November 1 for the Spring semester. Exemption forms may be found in your eRezLife portal.

Students Entering Fall 2026 and After

Residency Requirements, effective for students who enter UE in Fall 2026 or later

All students entering as freshmen (including transfer freshmen entering UE after one semester at another institution) must reside in either University Housing or University-Approved Housing for a minimum of three academic years or the equivalent of six fall/spring semesters. Due to limited availability in upper-class housing, transfer students who have completed at least two academic years or the equivalent of four fall/spring semesters at another institution following high school graduation can apply for an exemption.

Students may request an exemption if they meet one of the following criteria:

Student has attained the age of 21 prior to the start of the semester.
Student's local residence is with a parent or legal guardian and is located within a 35-mile radius from the University of Evansville.
Student is married and/or must live with their dependent.
Student is a transfer student and has completed at least two years at another institution or the equivalent of four fall/spring semesters.
Student has an extenuating circumstance that would prohibit them from living on campus.
- Requests to consider extenuating circumstances will be reviewed by a committee consisting of representatives from the offices of Residence Life, Student Financial Services, Dining, Admissions, Disability Services, and Spiritual Formation.

Students Entering Prior to Fall 2026

Students entering as freshmen (including transfer freshmen entering UE after one semester at another institution) must reside in either University Housing or University-Approved Housing for a minimum of three academic years or the equivalent of six fall/spring semesters.

Note: Credit hours from bridge, early college, dual credit, or advanced placement do not qualify for calculating the number of semesters required.

Entering freshmen (and continuing students that entered as freshmen) may request an exemption if they meet one of the following criteria:

Student has attained the age of 22 prior to the start of the semester.
Student’s local residence is with a parent or legal guardian and is located within a 35-mile radius.
Student is married and/or must live with their dependent.

The Residency Exemption form can be found in your eRezLife account (in the Forms section) and must be submitted for review and approval prior to the start of the semester.

Students who have not met the residency requirement or who do not have an approved exemption will be billed the equivalent of the Schroeder Hall double-occupancy room rate and assigned and billed for the Aces 12 meal plan.

Students who enter the University as transfer students are required to live on campus or in University-Approved Housing until they obtain 90 credit hours. These hours must be obtained prior to the beginning of the student’s entering semester.

Note: Credit hours from bridge, early college, dual credit, or advanced placement do not qualify for calculating the 90 credit hours required.

Entering transfer students (and continuing students that entered as transfers) may request an exemption if they meet one of the following criteria:

Student has attained the age of 22 prior to the start of the semester.
Student’s local residence is with a parent or legal guardian and is located within a 35-mile radius.
Student is married and/or must live with their dependent.

The Residency Exemption form can be found in your eRezLife account (in the Forms section) and must be submitted for review and approval prior to the start of the semester.

Residence Life