Two-Year Residency Requirement


Arkansas Tech University has a two year live on experience. Students between the ages of 18 and 21, and with fewer than 60 earned credit hours of college work (excluding high school concurrent credit), who are Russellville campus students are required to live on campus or in their parent or legal guardian’s permanent home within a 30-mile radius.

 
REQUESTS FOR EXEMPTION TO THE 2-YEAR RESIDENCY POLICY

Students needing to live off campus are expected to submit an Exemption Request through the housing portal, check the appropriate reason for this request and provide all necessary documentation specified on the form. Accompanying documentation can be submitted using the exemption form on the housing portal or can be emailed to housing@atu.edu.

1. EXEMPTION ELIGIBILITY

To qualify for a housing exemption, a student must:

  • Be parent, OR
  • Be married, OR
  • Be at least 21 years of age by the first day of classes, OR
  • Have earned 60 college credit hours (excluding concurrent high school credit) or more; OR
  • Have lived on the ATU campus for 2 full academic years (fall or spring) or more, OR
  • Live with a parent or legal guardian within 30 miles from the Russellville campus. Requires the following:
    • Academic Year 2024-2025 (FA24 & SP25): A notarized commuter form. Download form here.
      • Contact Residence Life at housing@atu.edu for a list of notaries on campus that may be able to help.
    • Academic Year 2025-2026 (FA25 & SP26): A commuter request form. Download Here
      • No notary required.
    • A copy of the parent/legal guardian's driver's license. The address on the driver's license must match the commuting address where the student will live for the academic year and the personal information on the ATU system
      • To update emergency contact: log in OneTech, select Personal Information, click on Update Emergency Contacts
2. PRIORITY DATE

Request for exemption must be completed prior to signing a housing contract and is due by:

  • July 1st for the fall semester
  • December 1st for the spring semester

Requests submitted after those dates will be reviewed but may take a longer processing time.

3. REVIEW TIMELINE
  • The Residence Life Exemption Committee reviews requests on a monthly basis during the regular academic year and weekly summer terms.
  • Requests and all documentation must be received within 24 hours of the committee meeting or the case will be moved to the following month.
  • The Committee reviews all documentation submitted and their decision is final. Only the information you submit in writing will be considered when reviewing your request.
  • Once your application is reviewed by the Department of Residence life you will be notified via your ATU email regarding the outcome of your exemption request.
4. HOW TO REQUEST A HOUSING EXEMPTION
  1. Log in the housing portal with OneTech credentials
  2. Select Forms from the menu
  3. Click on Exemption Request
    • Complete the form
    • Attached all pertinent documentation or email it to housing@atu.edu
    • Submit