On-Campus Living Requirements

All full-time (12+ credits) CAS students under the age of 21 as of September 1 are required to live in university housing for the entire academic year.  The requirement is not based on academic credit status.  Students between the ages of 21-24 are encouraged, but not required, to live in campus housing.

On-campus housing options are available for unmarried, CAS & BUILD students between ages 17-24 only. There is no on-campus housing for married students or graduate students. 

Exemptions to the Policy*

Students who are exempt from the residency requirement must submit an Off-Campus Exemption form to communicate their exemption and provide any required proof.  The following are reasons for exemptions:

• PSEO students are exempt from the residency requirement, but may choose to live on campus if they are 17 or older as of September 1.
• A student resides with one or both of his or her parents at their legal permanent address within 30 commuting miles of campus.  Proof of residence will be required.  Students whose parents own property (that is not their primary residence) within 30 commuting miles of campus are not exempt from the residency requirement.
• A student who has graduated from high school more than three years prior to the beginning of the fall semester.  
• A student is married and submits a marriage license to Residence Life.
• A student has a documented medical/ADA concern regarding housing submitted to and approved by Bethel University’s Office of Accessibility Resources and Services. 
• A student who is a parent or legal guardian of a child under the age of 18. Proof of guardianship will be required.

On-Campus Residency Requirement Appeal*

A CAS student between the ages of 17-20 who wants to appeal the on-campus residency requirement must submit an Off-Campus Appeal form and receive approval from the Associate Dean for Residence Life.  Reasons for the appeal may include unique family circumstances such as medical or financial situations.

• Turning 21 years old after September 1st is not a valid reason for appealing.
• Incoming or transfer students upon enrollment who are 21 years old as of September 1st of the given school year do not need to fill out this form. 

*Should a student be found to have lied, misconstrued, and/or provided misinformation to the Office of Student Life about his/her housing situation and/or if the student falls within the on-campus living requirement and does not fill out a housing application, he/she will be held financially responsible for the housing rate for the full academic year in accordance with the current housing and meal plan contract. 

Appeal to Live in Campus Housing

Students wishing to live on campus but aren’t qualified under the policy must submit an appeal form and receive approval from the Assistant Dean of Residence Life.

• A CAS student enrolled in fewer than 12 credits. Please submit a Lease Amendment Registration Exemption form.  
• A student under the age of 17 as of September 1 of that academic year. Please submit a Lease Amendment Age Exemption form.
• A CAS student aged 25 or older as of September 1 of that academic year. Please submit a Lease Amendment Age Exemption form.
• CAPS students

Original policy adopted Spring 2020