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MANAGEMENT
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MANAGEMENT
Housing

Live-On Housing Exemption

First Time Student Live-On Housing Requirement

Información en Español

Beginning with the Fall 2012 semester, California State University San Marcos joined a number of other CSU campuses in requiring first-time freshman from outside of the local area to live in University or University-Affiliated Housing during their first year (on a space available basis). 

Living in student housing promotes a greater sense of community and facilitates a positive first-year experience.  The live-on experience better supports the transition to university life through participation in learning communities, involvement in student life and recreation, easy access to academic resources, and opportunities to build valuable friendships.  Research consistently shows that students who live in student housing are more likely to achieve better grades and persist to graduation, as well as be more involved and graduate sooner than students who do not live on-campus.

Exemptions from the live-on requirement will be considered for students over 21 years of age; military or veteran status; married, domestically partnered, and/or with legally dependent children; independent student status; medical and disability circumstances, or other special circumstances which create substantial personal hardship.

Please note: First-time students under the age of 21 and living outside the 40 miles of CSUSM must complete the housing application process OR be approved for an exemption from the live-on requirement. 

Process for Housing Exemption

PLEASE NOTE: Students must be approved for exemption or complete the housing application process in order to register for orientation. 

Students must complete the Housing Exemption request for the Fall semester if they are seeking an exemption from the First-Time Live-On Requirement.

Requests must include all supporting documentation; in order for the request to be considered, all required documentation must be submitted by the deadline. Incomplete requests will not be considered.

All requests will be reviewed within 5-7 business days; students will be notified of their approval status via the email address provided on the request. Students may be required to speak with a Housing representative to inquire about options available.

If the exemption is denied, the student will be notified required to complete a housing lease agreement within 10 business days or request an appeal.

Exemption Criteria

The following are acceptable reasons for a housing exemption so long as the proper supporting documentation is submitted and approved.

  1. Independent Student Status
  2. Married, Domestically Partnered, and/or Living with Dependents
  3. Medical/Disability Needs
  4. Current Active Military or Veteran Status
  5. Living with Parent/Guardian
  6. Part-Time Enrollment of 6 or Less Units
  7. Financial Hardship
  8. Other / Personal Hardship

Required Supporting Documentation

  1. Independent Student Status: Signed letter formalizing that the student maintains independent status. Verification is required.
  2. Married, Domestically Partnered, and/or Living with Dependents: Copies of marriage certificate or certificate of registration of domestic partnership and/or child’s birth certificates.
  3. Medical/Disability Needs: Documentation from a licensed medical professional that verifies circumstances which prohibit the student from being able to successfully live in student housing.
  4. Current Active Military or Veteran Status: Copy of the DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release and Discharge from Active Duty) or written proof of current active military duty.
  5. Living with Parent/Guardian: Completed and signed Parent/Guardian notification form. 
  6. Part-Time Enrollment of 6 or Less Units: Students carrying six (6) units or less may be granted an exemption. Verification is required.
  7. Financial Hardship: Student must provide documentation to substantiate financial hardship. Appropriate documentation must demonstrate beyond reasonable doubt that the student has no financial means (scholarships, income, grants, loans, parental/family support, etc.) to be able to pay for housing.
  8. Other/Personal Hardship: Student must demonstrate, with documentation, that special circumstances exist which would create a substantial personal hardship for the student to live on campus, and which cannot be remedied by alternative means.

NOTE: Please delete or remove Social Security Numbers from any documents prior to submitting them.

Exemption Form

First-time students under the age of 21 whose home address is more than 40 miles away from CSUSM are required to live in on-campus housing for their first year.  Students who wish to request an exemption from this requirement should follow the link below and complete this form with all applicable documentation as outlined. First-time first-year and transfer students who will be 21 on or before the first day of fall semester do not need to apply for an exemption and will be automatically exempted based on the birth year listed on their student records.  Students that will be living at home with parent or legal guardian during their entire first year must complete the applicable section below. The home address put in when applying for admission will be considered the home address for exemption purposes.

* About First-Time Live-On Requirement Hold *

The First-Time Live-On Requirement Hold is a notification on your MyCSUSM account. It does not prevent you from registering for classes or impact your financial status. Please note that this notification will remain visible on your MyCSUSM account, even if an exemption form has been approved.

Fall 2025 - Spring 2026 Exemption Form
Parent/Guardian Notification Signature Form