Residency Requirement

Jacksonville University has a 3-year Residency Requirement. All full-time undergraduate students at Jacksonville University are required to live on-campus for three (3) academic years following their high school graduation date regardless of credits earned prior.  
 
Jacksonville University is committed to the educational development of its students both in the classroom and in the residential facilities. Studies show that students who live on-campus earn better grades, are more involved in student organizations, and graduate at higher rates than students who live off-campus. 

Exemptions

Full-time undergraduate students may request an exemption from the residency requirement if they meet any of the following criteria: 

• Age: The student is 22 years or older prior to the first date of the term. 
• Transfer: The student enters the university with 30 or more credit hours AND has completed 4 semesters at a college or university post high school.
  • Credits received while in high school as dual credit are not classified as post high school credits. 

• Partnership: The student is legally married, as defined by the state of Florida.  
  • Documentation Required: Marriage License 

• Military Deployment: The student has received military orders for deployment or other required relocation as an active member of the U.S. Armed Services.  
  • Documentation Required: Official deployment or relocation orders/letter. 

• Study Abroad: The student is participating in a university-approved study abroad program that requires them to live elsewhere.
  • Documentation Required: Letter from study abroad program verifying student acceptance. 

• Living with Family: The student resides locally with a parent. Locally is defined as within 30-miles of the University, located at 2800 University Blvd N, Jacksonville, FL. 
  • Documentation Required: A driver's license or photo ID of the immediate family member with the address where the student will be residing off campus. The address must be within the 30-mile radius of Jacksonville University.  

• • • Extended Family Member: If the student is living with an extended family member (grandparent, aunt/uncle/legal guardian), a driver's license or photo ID of the extended family member with the address where the student will be residing off-campus must be submitted AND a notarized letter from the student's parent/legal guardian confirming the family member's relationship to the student and the address where the student will be residing. 

• • • Parent/Legal Guardian with a Second Home or Lease: Student whose parent/ legal guardian owns a second home will not be approved to live off campus unless the parent/legal guardian is living in the home more than 6 months of the year and has obtained a Florida driver's license or photo ID with the home address. Students whose parent/legal guardian has a lease in Jacksonville will not be approved to live with family unless they have obtained a Florida driver's license or photo ID matching the lease address. 
    • Florida License: The requirement to get a Florida driver's license depends on whether you are considered a legal resident.  Florida law requires you to obtain a Florida driver's license within 30 days of becoming a resident. You are generally considered a Florida resident if you do any of the following: 
      • Live in Florida for more than six consecutive months during the year.
      • Register to vote in Florida.
      • Enroll your children in a Florida public school.
      • File for a homestead exemption.
      • Accept employment in Florida.  

 

Room Cancellation Policy:

Students will be given a housing assignment if they meet the requirements to live on campus.

If a student within the requirement does not complete a Fall/Spring housing application, they will be assigned a housing assignment and fall into the cancellation requirements. Additionally, students who cancel Summer housing past the point of being assigned a room assignment, will also incur the cancellation fee. 

On or After May 15th, all continuing students with a housing assignment that cancel their reservation will be assessed a cancellation fee of $200. 

The cancellation timeline applies to: 

• Students seeking a Residency Exemption Approval after the cancellation date of May 15th
• Students seeking to transfer and cancel after the May 15th deadline
• Students who've met the live-on requirement seeking to cancel their assignment after the May 15th deadline 
• Continuing Students that are declared a no show for the Fall or Spring Semester by the Drop/Add deadline

Exemption Form:

Completion of this form is a request and does not guarantee exemption from the residency requirement.  The Residential Life Office reviews all applications and communicates whether an exemption has been granted. 
 
This form is valid for one academic year and must be re-submitted and approved each academic year the student wishes to utilize the exemption. 
 
For priority review prior to the 2026-2027 Housing Application, all requests must be submitted by March 31st.  
 
If you are over the age of 23  you do NOT need to fill out this form for residency exemption as you are outside of the standard of the Jacksonville University Live-On Requirement.  
 
Requests are reviewed on a rolling basis- please allow 5-7 business days for review!  

 

Residency Exemption Request Form