Residential Living and Learning

Where Students Live, Learn, and Belong

At Stetson, we believe that learning happens everywhere, not just in the classroom. As a proudly residential university, we are deeply committed to creating a living environment where students feel supported, connected, and able to grow both personally and academically.

Each year, approximately 1,800 undergraduate students make their home in our residence halls and apartments. While housing is primarily designed for undergraduate students, graduate students may be accommodated when space permits. At this time, we do not offer family housing.

Prospective students and families are encouraged to explore our Residential Living and Learning website, where you’ll find details about our residential communities, housing options and rates, application timelines, and what it’s like to live on campus at Stetson. 

Our Commitment to Students

The Department of Residential Living and Learning (RL&L), located in University Hall, is dedicated to fostering a healthy, inclusive, and safe residential experience. Our team is trained to help students feel welcome and supported from the moment they arrive. Through programs, events, and intentional community-building, RL&L extends learning beyond the classroom and encourages students to take an active role in shaping the community they live in.

Stetson's Three-Year Residency Requirement

To help ensure students receive the full benefit of Stetson’s residential experience, the University maintains a three-year residency requirement for all undergraduate students, including transfer and international students.

Incoming transfer students who enroll with 30 or more college-level credit hours may be exempt from this requirement. In this context, a transfer student is someone who has graduated from high school and attended another college or university; newly graduated high school students with dual-enrollment credits are not considered transfer students. A full list of residency exemption criteria is availble for review below. 

More information about Stetson’s Three-Year Residency Requirement is available online.

Resources for Current Students

Once students arrive on campus, they gain access to a comprehensive resource hub designed to help them navigate their residential experience with ease. The Current Students webpage provides quick links to housing information and policies, applications, important processes, and campus living updates, all in one convenient place.

All residential students are also responsible for understanding and following the policies outlined in the Guide to Residential Living, which serves as the official resource for residential community standards, expectations, and residential policies. This guide helps students stay informed, make well-supported decisions, and fully engage in community life.

Requests for Residency Exemption

Stetson University’s residential experience is a core component of its educational mission and is designed to support students’ academic success, personal development, and engagement in campus life. Living on campus provides students with meaningful opportunities for connection, support, and involvement that extend beyond the classroom.

While the on-campus living environment is strongly encouraged, the University recognizes that it may not be the best fit for every student. In these cases, students may be eligible to request an exemption from the residency requirement. Residency exemptions are granted to students who meet one or more specific exemption criteria established by the University.

A full list of residency exemption criteria, including documentation requirements, is available on the Living Off Campus webpage.

How to Submit a Request for Exemption

Students seeking an exemption must submit a Request for Residency Exemption through MyHousing, the University’s online housing system. Once submitted, RL&L staff carefully review each request and communicate the final decision to the student via their Stetson email.

Students who live off campus without prior approval or who fail to physically occupy their assigned room may be considered non-compliant with the residency requirement and could face financial and potential disciplinary consequences.

To learn more about the exemption process, including the straight-line distance calculator and next steps, please visit the Living Off Campus webpage.

Housing Cancellation Fee

Requests for Residency Exemption that result in the cancellation of a submitted Housing Application may result in a cancellation fee applied to the student's university account. If you are considering cancelling a submitted Housing Application in order to live off campus, please be sure to review the Housing Agreement Cancellation Fee table and timelines prior submitting a Request for Residency Exemption. All terms and conditions of the Housing Agreement are available online for review.