Residency Requirements and Exemption

Residency Requirements

Except undergraduate students enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies program (“BALS Undergrads”), Georgetown University requires undergraduate students who are enrolled full-time at the University to live in University housing for the first three years of their enrollment, unless specifically exempted from the requirement by the appropriate staff in Residential Living. Certain programs require that students live in University housing at the Capitol Campus for a portion of this residency requirement, as set forth in the program policies, procedures, handbooks, or rules.  BALS Undergrads are not eligible for University housing at the Hilltop Campus.  BALS Undergrads are eligible for optional University housing at the Capitol Campus, subject to availability.    

Sophomore transfer students are required to live in University housing for two years.  Junior transfer students are required to live in University housing for the duration of their junior year.  Students studying abroad or in the Capitol Applied Learning Labs (“CALL”) program may count the semester(s) spent abroad or residing at the Capitol Campus during the CALL program toward the requirement. 

Off Campus Housing for Students Enrolled in Capital Campus Programs

Students who are enrolled in a Georgetown program that requires students to live in University housing at the Capitol Campus are not permitted to live in off-campus housing in the Georgetown, Foxhall, or Burleith neighborhoods adjacent to the Hilltop Campus during the Capitol Campus portions of the program, even if they have completed the 3-year residency requirement.  The Georgetown, Burleith, and Foxhall neighborhoods are defined as the neighborhoods bounded on the east by Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway, on the south by the Potomac River, on the west by Canal Road and the Georgetown Reservoir, and on the north by Whitehaven Parkway to Foxhall Road to Hoban Road to Reservoir Road to 39th Street to Whitehaven Parkway (including the 1900 blocks of 39th and 38th Streets) to Whitehaven Street to Dumbarton Oaks Park on the north.

This policy supports the University’s residential and neighborhood commitments and is in place to maintain community standards. Students who violate this policy will be referred to the Office of Student Conduct and may be subject to disciplinary action and/or required to relocate.

Housing Occupancy Agreement

All students residing in University housing are bound by the terms of the Housing Occupancy Agreement.

Request for Exemption

A student, including transfer students, may apply for an exemption to the residency requirement if they meet the criteria set forth below. 

• The student’s local, permanent residence is with parents, legal guardian, or immediate family member (collectively, “family member”) who live within commuting distance of the University.  Immediate family member is limited to an individual who is 21 years of age or older, is not currently enrolled at Georgetown, and is the student’s grandparent, aunt or uncle, or sibling.  Residence in a house or apartment that is owned or leased but not occupied by a family member does not qualify for an exemption from the residency requirement.  This exemption is limited to fifty (50) students per academic year.  The exemption request must include the following:
  • A notarized statement from the family member verifying the relationship to the student, stating the local, permanent address, and stating that the family member will reside with the student at the address while the student is enrolled at Georgetown; and
  • A copy of the family member’s valid driver’s license, passport, or other form of official documentation showing the family member’s age and that matches the local, permanent address listed on the notarized statement.
• The student is age 22 or older prior to the start date of the fall term.  The exemption request must include a copy of the student’s valid driver’s license, birth certificate, passport, or other form of official documentation showing the student’s age.
• The student is currently married. The exemption request must include an official copy of the marriage certificate.
• Student’s dependent(s) reside with the student. The exemption request must include an official copy of each dependent’s birth certificate and federal income tax returns showing exemptions claimed for the dependent(s).

Application Timeline

• Available via Hoya Housing:
  • Opens: 12 PM ET, November 1, 2024
  • Closes: 12 PM ET, March 3, 2025
• Late requests are not accepted.

Application Process

Submit the Residency Requirement Exemption form with all required documents through the Hoya Housing application by the deadline.

Important Note: Rising juniors returning from abroad must apply now for an exemption, as mid-year requests are not accepted.

Appeal

A student who is denied a request for an exemption may appeal by emailing the Executive Director for Residential Services or designee at residentialliving@georgetown.edu.  The appeal must include a description of the reasons for the appeal and attach any supporting documents.  The Executive Director for Residential Services or designee will respond in writing.  The Executive Director for Residential Services or designee’s decision is final and cannot be appealed.

Accommodations

A student who seeks an exemption to the residency on the basis of disability, religion, or pregnancy must follow the applicable University policies to make a request for an accommodation.