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Texas Tech University

First-Year On-Campus Residency Requirement and Off-Campus Eligibility

Texas Tech University students on campus

Before You Submit

Review the Requirement

Read the residency requirement and determine which exemption category applies to your situation.

Prepare Documentation

Download and complete any supplemental documentation required for your exemption category.

Submit Your Application

Complete the exemption application in the housing portal.

Residency Requirement

Texas Tech University requires enrolled first-year students to live in the university residence halls. Additional information regarding the First Year On-Campus Residency Requirement may be found in OP 30.25.

Failure to comply with the on-campus residency requirement will result in the student being placed in a Non-Compliance Status and charged for all applicable Housing and Dining Plan fees.

Exemption Application Process

Students may be eligible to live off-campus if they meet the requirements for one of the off-campus eligibility provisions, complete the off-campus exemption application, supply the required documentation, and are subsequently approved by University Student Housing.

Application Deadline

All housing exemption requests must be submitted before the official move-in date for the applicable academic year and/or semester, for new spring students only. No exemptions will be reviewed or approved once the student has moved into the residence halls.

Exemption Application Steps

  1. Log In to the Housing Portal

    Log in to the Housing Portal using your active TTU email address.

  2. Select the “Exemption Request” Tab

    Select the “Exemption Request” tab in the Housing Portal.

  3. Select Your Exemption Application

    Find the most appropriate exemption application that best fits your needs and complete the required documentation.

  4. Complete the Exemption Application

    Complete the exemption application and upload all required documentation.

  5. Save & Continue

    Click “Save & Continue” to continue with the exemption application process.

After You Submit

After submission, all housing exemption requests will be reviewed within 7-10 business days. Results will be emailed to the student's TTU email account.

Attention: Do NOT sign an off-campus lease until your exemption request has been formally approved by University Student Housing.

Exemption Eligibility and Exemption Application

Off-Campus Eligibility Requirements
Eligibility Category Requirements Required Documentation
Post-High School Credit For the Fall 2026–Spring 2027 academic year, University Student Housing will recognize 20 hours of post-high school credit toward meeting the requirement.
  • Does not include Advanced Placement, CLEP, ACT, SAT, Dual-Credit, and/or concurrent credit.
  • The completion of an associate degree prior to graduating from high school is not accounted for when determining eligibility.
 Copies of official or unofficial transcripts.
Financial Hardship Similar to guidelines set forth by the Student Financial Aid office. Financial Hardship Addendum and a PDF copy of the SAI index from FAFSA.
Medical Hardship All medical hardship requests must be submitted through Student Disability Services. Submitted through Student Disability Services.
2+ Semesters Living On-Campus Resided on campus at a different institution for 2 or more semesters. Fall and Spring semesters only. Signed Proof of Residence from Previous Institution.
Commuter Status Resides in the established primary residence of their parent or legal guardian within Lubbock County and has resided there for at least six months prior to the date of exemption request. Notarized Sworn Statement of Commuting Status.
21 Years of Age or Older Any student 21 years of age or older. Most students over 21 will not have a housing hold on their account. If you do have a housing hold, submit the required documentation. Copy of Passport, Driver’s License, or any other government-issued photo ID that clearly displays date of birth.
Military Service Any student who has served in the Military. Verification of Active or Former Military Service such as a copy of DD214, active or former military orders, etc.
Married or Has Dependent Children Any student who is married and/or has dependent children. Copy of Marriage Certificate OR Copy of Birth Certificate listing student as the dependent’s parent.

Ready to complete your exemption application?

Complete Exemption Application

Complete the exemption application and upload any required supplemental documentation.

Attention:

The Off-Campus Exemption process is NOT a contract cancellation request. If you have already signed a Housing and Dining Contract and your off-campus exemption request is approved, you must properly cancel your Housing and Dining Contract to avoid additional fees.

University Student Housing

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