Housing Accommodations and Exemptions

Requesting Exemption from the On-Campus Housing Residency Requirement

Guidelines for Requesting an Exemption for New Incoming Students:

• Complete the Request for Exemption form in the Webster Application Portal and submit documentation that supports or verifies the reason for your request, as indicated.
• Domestic students, submit the Housing Exemption Form.
• International students, submit the Housing Exemption Form – IRIS.
• Exemption forms must be submitted one week before the start of classes. Forms submitted after this date will not be considered.
• A decision will be emailed to the student's Webster University email address. An exemption is not considered granted until you have received an approved notice from the Housing and Residential Life Office. Please note that not all requests are granted.
• If an exemption is granted and you have previously submitted a housing deposit, you may be eligible for a refund by notifying  housing@webster.edu. Refund eligibility and amount will be determined by the date of your deposit refund request. 
• Appeal Process: If your request for exemption from Webster University's residency requirement is not approved, you may wish to appeal the decision. Students wishing to appeal a denial of the exemption request may do so by contacting housing@webster.edu and asking for a second review. The appeal will then be reviewed by the Director of Housing and Residential Life. The decision of the Director is final and there is no further appeal of the exemption decision beyond this level.

Approved Reasons for Requesting Exemption 

The following are approved reasons for requesting exemption, along with the required documentation for a specific reason. Please note documentation must be received for your request to be considered. Approved reasons for requesting exemption from the residency requirement and required documentation are as follows: 

• You live at home with a parent or active legal guardian within the 35-mile commuting radius to campus. Note: only requests to live with a parent or active legal guardian will be considered — any requests to live with a sibling, relative, friend or friend’s family will not be considered.
  • Documentation: Proof of residency at the parent’s address, which is assumed to be the same as permanent address listed in the application process. The address should be listed in the exemption, and if needed for clarification, proof of address (driver's license, legal mail, etc.), may be requested. If residing with an active legal guardian instead of parent, documentation of guardianship (court or legal documentation) must be provided. 
  • Important: Living with another family member without court-appointed legal guardianship in the radius is not approved. 
• Your parents are permanently relocating inside of the 35-mile radius from the University.
  • Documentation: Written statement/email from parent that the parent(s) and family are permanently relocating to within the 35-mile radius of campus. Additionally, they must show at least two of the following items showing the relocation address for the parent(s):
    • Vehicle registration.
    • Voter registration.
    • Driver's License.
    • Any other document that would verify permanent address.
  • Important: Parents cannot purchase or rent a house or apartment with the intent of the student living there without a full family relocation. If it is determined that a student is living off campus under false pretenses they will be billed retroactively for housing charges. 
• You are 22 years of age or older on the first day of undergraduate classes for the academic year.
  • Documentation: Not required; your age will be verified with University records.
  • Important: Turning 22 after the contract starts does not qualify for a termination/cancellation of a full-year housing contract.
• You are married.
  • Documentation: Copy of marriage license.
• You are a parent.
  • Documentation: Copy of birth certificate of the dependent child.
• You are under active military orders.
  • Documentation: A copy of your military orders, which must be applicable for the period covered by the requested exemption.
• You have a medical or psychological condition.
  • Documentation: A personal statement, as well as a signed and dated statement from your treating physician, psychologist, therapist or psychiatrist on office letterhead is required and must include:
    • Your diagnosis.
    • Treatment plan.
    • How each relates to your housing request.
  • The medical statement must be dated no more than one month prior to when you request exemption. Upon receipt of medical documentation, the Housing and Residential Life Office will defer to the Reeg Academic Resource Center’s Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Coordinator, who will review the situation and provide a recommendation to the Housing and Residential Life Office. By submitting this documentation, you are agreeing to allow any information shared with the Housing and Residential Life Office to be shared with the University ADA Coordinator.

We are unable to approve requests based on financial situations, including concerns for paying for housing costs or future educational expenses. It you would like to discuss financial aid options that may be available to help pay for the cost of living on campus, please contact the Financial Aid Office. 

Submission of Exemption-Related Documentation 

Please include the applicable documentation for your request for residency exemption on Slate. If you have trouble with the online submission, contact: 

Office of Housing and Residential Life 

240 Edgar Road | St. Louis, MO 63119 
314-246-4663 | housing@webster.edu 

After receipt of your request, a Housing and Residential Life staff member will be in touch concerning the status of your request, or if further documentation is needed.