Residency Requirement Waiver and Release from Housing Requests

Before submitting any paperwork, please read our website about Residency Requirements and the Residential License: Housing Contract, Residency Requirement, and Release Request.

Housing contracts are for the entire academic year. Regardless of the residency requirement status (for example Juniors or Seniors), once a student has filled out the housing application, they are agreeing to a full year contract.

If you wish to be released from your housing contract, please fill out the Release From Housing Application. Completing a release from housing application, does not guarantee approval.

Fulfilling the two residency requirements is not a reason for release if you have completed an application to live in on-campus housing. Once committed to on-campus housing, that agreement is for a full academic year (or the remainder of the academic year for spring start).

SUNY Geneseo guarantees housing for all undergraduate students – late applicants included. Unless you are committed to living on campus, do not complete a housing application as a backup plan, as that will not be an acceptable reason for release.

All first-year and freshmen students at Geneseo are required to live on campus through the spring semester of their sophomore year or four consecutive semesters (two year residency requirement).

Fall transfer students admitted with fewer than 30 credit hours from another college, exclusive of AP credits or credits obtained by testing, must live on campus for two full academic years (four semester). Spring transfer students admitted with fewer than 30 credit hours from another college, exclusive of AP credits or credits obtained by testing, must live on campus for the remainder of that academic year (spring) and the following academic year.

Justification and Documentation is required for all release and waiver requests.

The Housing Release Committee must approve all requests for release and waivers of the residency requirement after reviewing completed submissions. The Committee may request additional information or documentation in order to make a final decision. Appeals are reviewed by the Director of Residence Life.

The Release From Housing Application is needed for any student trying to be released from their housing agreement once they have already committed to living on campus by submitting their application/contract. This includes release from spring semester housing.

The Waiver of the Residency Requirement form is needed for students who are looking to be released from the two year (four semesters) residency requirement. Students requesting a Waiver of their Residency Requirement after already committing to on-campus housing must fill out both forms.

Completed applications should be filled out and submitted by any of the following methods:

• Residence Life Office, which is located in the College Union, Room 319
• Submit it via our Service Desk

It will take up to seven business days (longer during busier times of the academic year) for the committee to review each Release From Housing Application. Notification of approval or denial will be sent to the Geneseo e-mail address of the requesting student.

• Release requests for spring semester should be submitted by December 1 to be able to be processed in a timely manner for spring billing. Incoming students requesting residency requirement waivers must do so by December 1 or within 3 days of their deposit to avoid an additional administrative fee for late processing.
• Release requests for fall semester for returning students should be submitted by April 1 to be able to be processed in a timely manner for Housing Selection.
• Release requests for fall semester for incoming students should be submitted by June 1 to be able to be processed in a timely manner for Housing Placement. Incoming students requesting residency requirement waivers must do so by June 1 or within 3 days of their deposit to avoid an additional administrative fee for late processing.

The housing release process is rigorous and releases are not granted without a major demonstrated change in circumstance that prevents the student from residing on campus. Some reasons for Release from Housing or Waiver and the specific documentation they require can be found on our website.