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Students who live on campus have a higher GPA than those who live off.

Students Entering EIU for Summer/Fall 2025 or After

Residency Requirement

Statistics show that students who live in residence halls on campus receive higher GPAs, have a more successful transition from high school to college, make friends quicker, become more involved on campus, and have higher overall satisfaction with their university experience.

Therefore, the university housing policy includes the requirement that, until all available residence hall space is exhausted, all Å·²©ÍøÖ· students are required to live in University residence halls for the first two years after high school graduation.  This includes transfer students (under the age of 20 as of the first day of enrollment) with less than 48 credit hours earned after high school graduation.  Dual credit courses do not count towards this number.  A Residency Exemption Request Form must be submitted for approval if the student meets one or more of the following exceptions:

1. The student is married, as verified with a certified copy of the marriage license or civil union certificate.

2. The student has attained their 21st birthday prior to the beginning of the semester for which enrollment is sought, as verified with EIU records.

3. The student, by reason of medical necessity, requires special housing that cannot be provided by University Housing & Dining Services, as verified with a statement from their attending physician and approved by an EIU physician.  Students must contact Housing and Dining for a medical appeal form.

4. The student plans to live at home with a parent or legal guardian who resides within a 50-mile radius, as verified with a notarized Residency Examption Request Form.

The Residency Exemption Request Form is available in the student's . Please click on "Housing Application/Contract" to submit your Intent to Live Off-Campus and view the steps to submit your Residency Exemption Request Form.