Housing Regulation / Terms & Conditions
Details regarding the Residence Hall contract requirements and obligations can be found in the Contract Terms and Conditions within your Residence Halls Contract.
Occupancy Requirement
The University Housing Regulation and University Housing occupancy requirement requires that all unmarried undergraduate students who are regularly admitted and in full-time attendance must live in university residence halls while enrolled at The Ohio State University, Columbus or ATI campus, unless
- The student is excluded from obligation to observe the University Housing Regulation, or
- The student is qualified for a special residence or other exemption, or
- The student is excused from compliance with the University Housing Regulation, or
- Space in the residence halls is no longer available.
Exclusions from Obligations
Exclusions from obligation to the Housing Regulation are provided for students who, before the first day of the semester in which they are entering or re-enrolling in the university, have
- ATI Only: Completed their study at the secondary school level one year or more prior to enrollment at The Ohio State University and by reason of having previously established an independent lifestyle would not materially benefit from residence hall living.
- Columbus Only: Attended The Ohio State University, or any other post-secondary educational institution, for at least four semesters post-high school graduation or their equivalent, or
- Columbus Only: Completed their study at the secondary school level two years or more prior to enrollment at The Ohio State University and by reason of having previously established an independent lifestyle would not materially benefit from residence hall living.
Exemption from the Regulation
Requests for exemption from the Housing Regulation must be submitted on the forms provided by University Housing and may be approved for one of the following reasons:
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Actual local residence is with parents or close relatives or legal guardian. The student is required to register with University Housing and qualifies for exemption when the actual local residence is with parent, legal guardian, grandparent, adult aunt or uncle, or adult brother or sister (provided that the regulation does not apply to both parties concerned) and the residence is within the Columbus or Wooster metropolitan area (defined as within a 25-mile radius of the Columbus or ATI campus). University Housing must approve this request prior to the initial enrollment for the semester, June 1st for students who enroll for autumn semester and December 15th for students who enroll for spring semester.
- Actual local residence is in a social fraternity or sorority chapter house maintained exclusively for its members. Request forms must be submitted to University Housing and approved prior to initial enrollment for the semester, June 1st for students who enroll for autumn semester and December 15th for students who enroll for spring semester.
3. Actual local residence is in a scholarship or academic residential living unit not a part of the residence hall system, but which has been recognized by University Housing. Written documentation for permission to reside in these special units must be submitted to and approved by University Housing prior to initial enrollment for the semester, June 1st for students who enroll for autumn semester and December 15th for students who enroll for spring semester.
Request for Excuse from Compliance
Requests to be excused from compliance with the Housing Regulation will be considered by University Housing. Requests for the reasons listed below must be submitted in writing to University Housing at least 30 days prior to the initial semester of enrollment.
- Medical necessity certified by a physician and Student Health Services, subject to the approval of University Housing, which shall establish standards of general application for the determination of medical necessity.
- Financial hardship, supported by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), evaluated by the Office of Admissions and Student Financial Aid, and subject to the approval of University Housing, which shall establish standards of general application for determination of financial necessity. If a FAFSA is not on file, allow six to eight weeks for the evaluation process to be completed.
- Special hardship, documenting severe and compelling circumstances that exist prior to the initial semester or session of enrollment. Approval or denial of the request by University Housing will be based upon substantiation of the circumstances.
Compliance with Regulation
Compliance with the Housing Regulation is a condition of initial registration and continuing enrollment at The Ohio State University.
- All regularly admitted students scheduled for twelve or more hours of credit for a semester are subject to the regulation.
- Freshmen and sophomores eligible for exemptions to live off campus must register their requests with University Housing prior to the beginning of classes.
- Once a contract is signed, the Terms and Conditions shall apply regardless of any provisions in the Housing Regulation.
- Proof of compliance with the University Housing Regulation is the responsibility of the student. Failure of a student to comply with this regulation may be cause for denial or cancellation of registration. Failure to comply may also result in assessment of University Housing fees for the semester or session in question.
- University Housing is established as the authorized agent for administration of the Housing Regulation for the university.
- All approvals for waiver of compliance with the University Housing Regulation will be in writing.
University Housing reserves the right to alter or change any information or any programs contained herein.