Residence Life:  Moving Off-Campus

Step 1 
If you are planning to commute, the first thing to do is make sure you are eligible to do so.  Please see the qualifying criteria for living off-campus.  Students living off-campus, in violation of this college policy, are charged the standard residence hall double-room rate and disciplinary action is possible.

All students are required to live on campus, except when meeting one or more of the following conditions or exceptions:

• be of senior status (90 or more earned credit hours**) and not affiliated with a Greek organization;***
• six (6) chronological semesters completed** at full-time* status and not affiliated with a Greek organization;***
• 23 years of age or older before August 1 of the academic year in question;
• married and/or have children and/or other legal dependents living with you;
  • enrolled in less than 12 credit hours.
  *Full-time is defined as 12 or more credit hours for fall and spring, 6 or more credit hours for summer.
  **Refers only to credit hours accepted by William Jewell College
  ***Exemption expires August 1, 2011 

Step 2

NEXT, visit the Financial Aid Office to find out how changing to commuter status is going to affect your aid package. Living with parent(s)/legal guardian(s) or living off-campus as a senior may make a difference in your aid package. Make sure your decision to move off-campus is the best one for you!

Important Reminder: A student's financial aid award is based on information provided on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the student (and student's parent(s)/guardian(s), if applicable), which may include living arrangements while attending William Jewell College. As such, the College must have an adequate system to identify conflicting information, and must resolve any conflicting information concerning a student's financial aid eligibility. If a student is suspected of misreporting information to increase student aid eligibility or to fraudulently obtain federal funds, the student will be reported to the U.S. Office of Inspector General.

Step 3

Lastly, you need to complete the Exemption Application to Campus Residential Policy form (found on the Residence Life home page) and submit it to the Office of Student Affairs. An appeals committee will then consider your request to move off-campus and communicate a final decision to you. The form is due within two (2) weeks or ten (10) working days of your intent to change to commuter status.

Step 4

If interested, you may purchase a Commuter Meal Plan (found on the Residence Life home page), which allows you to eat one (1) meal a day (any 5 meals a week total) on-campus.  This form must be submitted to the Office of Student Affairs as well.

Housing Deposit Refunds

The $100.00 housing deposit holds your space in the residence halls each semester you live on-campus.  The Office of Student Affairs reserves the right to retain deposits if not properly notified of a student’s decision to move off-campus by the established deadlines.  Students must notify the Office of Student Affairs of their intent to live off-campus or transfer for the next semester by the following specified dates: 

December 1 for spring semester

June 30 for fall semester

Students leaving William Jewell College all together to attend another institution or otherwise not returning for classes are required to complete the Exit Interview (found on the Residence Life home page).  Completion of the Exit Interview initiates the request for the refund of your housing deposit.  If your request is not made by the aforementioned dates, your deposit will be forfeited.  Graduating seniors need not request the return of their deposit, William Jewell College process your refund automatically.

Questions about any of this information can be directed to the Residence Life Staff.