In the fall of 2021, the two-year live-on requirement was reinstated. This means that incoming first-year students must live in on-campus housing for the first four semesters they are enrolled, summer term excluded.
The list below outlines the reasons students may be granted an exception to live off campus. Students who qualify for an exception but want to live on campus do not have to submit an exception. Exceptions are only for required students with a desire to live off campus.
By completing this form, you are requesting an exception to be released from the live-on requirement, meaning you will no longer be obligated to reside on campus and may not be eligible to sign up for on-campus housing in future years, depending on available space.
Before proceeding with the submission, please ensure that you have thoroughly discussed this decision with your family and supporters. Once approved, you will no longer be required to live on campus.
The on-campus housing requirement is subject to pre-determined exceptions:
- Married and/or established partnered students.
- Students who will be at least twenty years of age by December 31, 2026 (for the 2026-27 academic year).
- Veterans with one or more years of active service (Must submit service record).
- Students living with a family member (Must submit a signed document from the family member).
- Students taking six or fewer credits during the semester in question.
- Current first-year students who have earned 30 credits by the close of their first semester at MSU.
If you qualify for an exception, visit your My Housing account and click “Submit a Housing Exception.” Once you submit your exception, you will be emailed with further instructions if you are required to provide additional documentation.
Extenuating Circumstances
If you have verifiable medical needs, extreme financial need, or other extenuating circumstances for a housing exception, please complete the exception form and you will be emailed further instructions. For medical needs, you’ll need to work with your licensed treating physician to submit required documentation.
Transfer Students
For the 2026-27 academic year, transfer students are exempt from the two-year live-on requirement and are not required to reside on campus.
If you are a transfer student and interested in on-campus housing, you may submit a housing request in your My Housing account. We will house as many students as space allows. Please note that completing the request form does not guarantee housing.
Group Housing
The group housing exception allows second-year students to fulfill MSU’s two-year live-on requirement by living in their approved fraternity or sorority house instead of a residence hall. The group housing application will appear in My Housing for eligible students whose names have been included on official rosters submitted to the Housing Assignments Office.
The deadline for submitted students to complete their group housing exception is Tuesday, March 10.
Students may receive a Group Housing Exception if they meet all of the following criteria:
- Are a member of an approved 2026–27 group housing facility.
- Are included on the roster submitted by the facility to the Housing Assignments Office.
- Are not on academic probation.
- Are not on active conduct status with the Office of Student Support and Accountability (OSSA).
- Have completed their required RVSM training.
If you have any questions, please contact the Housing Assignments Office at liveon@msu.edu.
