The University of North Alabama requires all first time, full time freshmen and ESL students to live on campus in a residence hall for up to one academic year. Students first enrolling in the fall are required to live on campus during the fall and spring semesters. Students first enrolling in the spring are required to live on campus during the spring semester. 

Exemption Form

Anyone requesting to be exempt from the Freshmen Residency Requirement must complete an online Freshman Residency Exemption for review. 

Timeline

The Freshmen Residency Review Committee will review each exemption form beginning January 1st and send approval/denial notifications to the student's UNA Portal email account within 30 days of review. The online form and required documents must be submitted to Housing & Residence Life by June 1st for fall semester and November 1st for spring semester. 

Exemptions

Exemptions to the Freshman Residency Requirement may be requested for the following reasons:  

• The student will be living with his or her parent or legal guardian in their permanent residence within a reasonable driving distance as determined by the Freshman Residency Exemption Committee. Parent/Legal Guardian must indicate the validity of the indicated residency arrangement and responsibility for any failure to comply as stated below.
• Married as documented with a marriage certificate.
• Age 20 or older before the first day of classes in the first semester of attendance at the University. Attach Birth Certificate or Passport
• Have a child and/or guardianship of a child, as documented with a photocopy of your child’s birth certificate AND copy of your federal tax return, verifying that the child is your dependent.
• A veteran of the US military or currently serving as active duty or reserve with a photocopy of your DD Form 214, Certificate of Release/Discharge from Active Duty, or a copy of the student's military ID card.
• A special medical necessity and/or emergency requiring a special housing option that cannot be provided by the University.  Documentation must include a detailed statement from a licensed medical provider as to why the specific medical necessity and/or emergency prevent the student from living in university housing and how long the condition has been treated by the provider. All requests will be reviewed by Disability Support Services in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. 

When completing the Exemption Request Form, you only need to attach the appropriate documentation for your specific circumstances. 

Appeals

If the student is denied an exemption, they may appeal the decision to the Associate Vice-President of Student Affairs/Dean of Students or his/her designee. 

Failure To Comply

Failure to comply with the Freshman Residency Requirement will result in a charge to the student’s University account each semester of the student’s first academic year. Failure to comply may include falsification of information or the absence of a housing application without an approved Freshman Residency Exemption Form.  This charge will be equal to the rate of the lowest cost double residence hall room rate and meal plan.

Approved by Board of Trustees 6-9-2014. Revised January 2023. 

Please click HERE for a downloadable copy.