Housing Requirement
All full-time undergraduate students with less than 60 earned credit hours are required to live on campus.
Exceptions will be made for students who meet certain criteria (see exemptions below). A student seeking an exemption to the residency requirement must complete an Exemption Request Form and include all required documentation as indicated. Submission of an Exemption Request Form does not guarantee, nor imply, that an exemption will be granted.
Beginning Fall 2025, students failing to submit a residency requirement Exemption Request Form will be assessed mandatory housing and dining fees.
Location Exemption
Students are automatically exempt (no action required) from the policy if they:
- Have a permanent legal address residing with a parent/guardian using one of the following zip codes: 31003, 31004, 31005, 31008, 31009, 31012, 31013, 31014, 31016, 31017, 31019, 31020, 31022, 31023, 31025, 31028, 31029, 31030, 31031, 31032, 31036, 31044, 31046, 31047, 31050, 31052, 31065, 31066, 31069, 31071, 31075, 31086, 31088, 31091, 31093, 31095, 31098, 31099, 31201, 31202, 31203, 31204, 31205, 31206, 31207, 31208, 31209, 31210, 31211, 31213, 31216, 31217, 31220, 31221, 31294, 31295, 31296, 31297.
- Students that graduate from a high school outside of these areas must submit an exemption request with supporting documentation proving that the parents/guardians have permanently relocated for purposes of employment to one of the above counties. Home School students will not automatically be considered exempt from the requirement.
Additional Exemptions
To be considered exempt from the housing requirement students may also meet the following criteria:
- Have attained 60 or more earned hours
- Are 21 years or older by the first day of classes for semester entering
- Are active duty military
- Are married
- Have custody of dependent children
- Have a documented medical disability with Accessibility Services
- Are exclusively taking all of their course work fully online (must complete a Fully Online Declaration Form to exempt).
- Dual enrolled high school student
Submit an Exemption Request
Students who qualify must complete an Exemption Form and provide proper documentation to the Office of Housing and Residence Life to waive the housing requirement. All requested documentation must be attached at the time of request. All requests will be reviewed by the Housing Appeals Committee and may request additional documentation.
- Have custody of dependent children - Must provide birth certificate
- Parent or legal guardian has relocated to an exempt county for purposes of profession - Must provide documentation from employer stating parent or legal guardian must relocate to one of the exempt zip codes for purposes of profession; copy of lease or deed for new residence; copy of Driver’s License or state issued ID showing new address; and documentation proving parent or legal guardian has abandoned previous residence.
- Fully Online Degree Program: Students who are enrolled in fully online degree seeking programs will not be automatically exempt. The student must complete a Fully Online Declaration Form to exempt the housing requirement
Cancellation of enrollment and revocation of student status at MGA may take place as a result of failing to comply with the housing live on requirement. This may be a result of:
- Providing false or misleading information in connection with a request for exemption
- Failing to comply by not registering for housing and/or not assuming occupancy in an MGA residence hall
- Receiving a conduct sanction that requires removal from University Housing
All correspondence related to the housing exemption request should be submitted online via the Exemption Form
All housing appeals will be heard by the Housing Appeals Committee consisting of the Associate Vice President for Student Affairs; Director of Housing & Residence Life, the Executive Director of Auxiliary Services, and the Director of Financial Aid. The appeals committee may consult with other units of the University in their deliberation.
Decisions of the appeals committee will be final.
Check Location Exemption
Please be aware that this location exemption form is not an official exemption check. Please refer to the requirements listed above and/or contact the Office of Housing & Residence Life at 478.934.3027 or email housing@mga.edu for any questions.
