Below are two forms you may need to leave housing early or be exempt from the Housing/Residency requirement. In each case, you will want to provide as much information as possible so the Committee can make a good decision on your request.
Request Process Explained
The Housing Committee reviews all requests for Exemptions and Early Releases on the First Friday of each month. The Housing Release & Exemption Committee is comprised of staff members from Financial Aid, Business Operations, and Student Affairs. Students should expect to hear from the Office of Residence Life the week following the first Friday of each month via email.
To complete a successful Exemption or Early Release Form, students should provide detailed responses that fully address the reason for them submitting a form. The Committee will review the form submitted as well as a student's financial profile with Financial Aid. This is the only information we can consider to make a decision so please provide as much information as possible to support your request.
Housing Exemption Request Form
Students should choose this form if they are seeking to be exempt from Wilkes University's residency requirement. As a reminder all first and second year students are required to live on campus unless they are commuting from the home of their parent or legal guardian who lives within 50 miles of campus. (International and Transfer students are exempt from the Residency Requirement). You can visit the Wilkes University Undergraduate Student Handbook for questions about the Residency Requirement.
When completing this form, please be sure to address why you need to be exempt from the Residency Requirement. Specifically, you will want to address what circumstances can only be satisfied by living off campus or commuting that cannot be satisfied on campus. Examples of reasons why an exemption may be approved include, but are not limited to:
- Considerable financial hardship (i.e. parents lost a job, significant reduction of income, etc.).
- Documented medical accommodation that cannot be satisfied with on campus housing.
- Significant change in health status.
- Demonstration of independent living for at least one year (supporting documentation required).
- Other situations involving extenuating circumstances.
The committee reserves the right to consider each exemption request individually. Please note that submitting a form does not guarantee approval to be exempt from Housing for the next academic year and students should refrain from seeking alternative arrangements until they receive notification of their decision from the Office of Residence Life.
Housing Exemption Request Form external website
Early Release from Housing Contract Request Form
Students should use this form if they are seeking to be released early from their Housing Contract. Once you have taken possession of your housing assignment (by signing for your key), then you are responsible for your Housing Contract for the entire academic year. If you have an active housing assignment and circumstances have changed, then use this form to request to be released early from your responsibility for your housing assignment. Requests will automatically be approved for students graduating from the University, studying abroad, or entering active military service. All other requests will go before the Housing Exemption & Release Committee for review.
When completing this form, please be sure to address how your circumstances have changed since signing your Housing Contract and how you have tried to mitigate those circumstances but have been unsuccessful in doing so. Please note that submitting a form does not guarantee approval to be released early from housing and students should refrain from seeking alternative arrangements until they receive approval from the Office of Residence Life.