First-Year Live-On Requirement

BUILDING COMMUNITY, BUILDING SUCCESS

Living on campus helps you build your foundation for success at UNC Charlotte. You will establish a support network of friends, classmates and mentors while living in the heart of campus life.

Research shows that students who live on campus their first year develop strong friendships and connections, take advantage of campus academic and support resources, and graduate at higher rates. Your future success in Niner Nation starts by living on campus!

In alignment with our institution's efforts to provide all students with a solid foundation for academic success, the University has implemented a first-year residency requirement. The First-Year Live-On Requirement for first-time in college (FTIC) students begins with those who are admitted for Fall 2025.

Here's why living on campus your first year is valuable:

Academic Success. At Charlotte, we know from our institutional research that students who live on campus their first year are more likely to return for their second year. We also know that students who live on campus for the first year are more likely than their off-campus peers to graduate on time in four years.

Convenience. Living on campus puts you within walking distance of your classes, labs, libraries, theaters, concerts, art galleries and sports facilities. Residents gain confidence in navigating the campus, and are more likely to take advantage of the resources for overall success at Charlotte (academic support, physical and mental wellbeing, experiential learning, career development, entertainment, etc.).

Connections. Living on campus offers you a variety of ways to get connected to campus as well as with other residents, faculty and staff. You’ll form study groups, join clubs and engage in sports and wellness activities. With 6,000+ students living on campus it won’t take long to make new friends and memories that will last a lifetime.

Personal Growth & Support. Living on campus teaches you to live independently while still providing the support you need to grow as a person and adult. Our residence hall staff teams exist to help you find your place on your floor, in your building, and around campus.

Safety. The safety and security of our residential students is of utmost importance. That’s why we keep our buildings locked 24/7. Access to each residence hall is restricted to residents of the building only. In addition, extra security is provided by professional staff who live in each hall, security guards, security cameras and our own police department on campus.

RESIDENT FEEDBACK

Nine out of 10 of current residents would recommend living on campus to a new student, you can find additional feedback from our residents here.

Experience

"I decided to live on campus to get the whole college experience. Since it's my freshman year, I thought it would be best to live on campus to get to know where everything is and have connections with people." -Nia

Access

"Some advice I have for incoming students would be to LIVE ON CAMPUS! It has been the best decision that I have made; it allows you to get more involved and you will always know what is going on. I have had friends that live off-campus who ask me how I always know what is going on on-campus and it is truly because I live on campus and have the benefit of more access." -Halle

Community

"The best part of living on campus is the people I have met while living here. Being a freshman, everyone was in the same boat the first couple of weeks in the feel of being alone and not knowing people. Being able to meet people on my floor and in my hall helped ease that feeling quickly." -Sal

Safety

"The best part of living on campus is the access. I know that no matter what time my class is, I am at most 15 minutes away and I can get there no problem. I think another benefit of living on campus is you feel safe and that someone is always looking out for you." -Maggie

Cost

"The reason why I decided to live on campus vs off campus is because it is cheaper to have a 4 bedroom suite on campus than it is to have a 4 bedroom apartment off campus and I'm a lot closer to classes and student services." -Najee

Meet new people

"I believe the best part about living on campus is the ability to participate in tons of social events. For example, my hall has tons of social events, from movie nights to tie-dying. Regardless of the event, it's great to be able to network with others in your building and meet new people." -Kathryn

Convenience

"I think the best part about living on campus is being close to everything. I can walk to all my classes, the dining halls, the gym, etc. I never have to worry about hitting traffic on the way to campus or not being able to get to campus." -Livy

Independence

"I decided to live on campus to push myself out of my comfort zone and leave home. Also, to be immersed in a different environment with people in the same phase of life as me. I saw living on campus as an opportunity to make life-long friendships, connections, and to be able to have the ability to be independent and have an in-person college experience." -Akaya

Make Charlotte Home

"I decided to live on campus instead of living off campus, because this was my first semester at Charlotte, and I felt that I had the best opportunity to meet other students and have the convenience and ease to get involved in different organizations, and fully immerse myself into niner nation by living on campus. Living on campus has helped make Charlotte feel more like home!" -Daniel

HOW TO APPLY

Living on campus your first year sets you up for success at UNC Charlotte. As a new first-time in college admitted student, you will be able to apply for 2025-2026 housing in early Spring semester.

Exemptions

We understand that living on campus as a first-year student isn't a good fit for everyone.

If you live in a neighboring county, you are automatically exempt from the live-on requirement and do not need to request an exemption. These counties include: Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Catawba, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Rowan, and Union counties. If you would prefer to live on campus, you will be able to apply when the housing application opens in early Spring semester.

If you don’t live in a neighboring county and you think you may have a reason to request an exemption, you will have the opportunity to do so through the online housing portal. Examples of eligible exemptions include students who are 21 years old, under 16 years old, married, serving as primary caregiver for children/dependents, have prior military service, international students, or have other extenuating circumstances.

Again, the goal of the requirement is to help each student build a foundation for success and we will work with students who may have different needs than other incoming first-year students.

If you have any questions about your situation/need for an exemption, please give us a call at 704-687-7501 or email us at hrlmailbox@charlotte.edu.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

When will the First-Year Live-On Requirement begin?

The First-Year Live-On Requirement for first-time in college (FTIC) students begins with those who are admitted for fall 2025.

How do I know if I'm a first-time in college (FTIC) student?

A first-time in college (FTIC) student is a student who has no prior postsecondary experience attending any institution for the first time at the undergraduate level. This includes students enrolling in the fall term who attended college in the prior summer term, and students who entered with advanced standing (college credits earned before high school graduation).

Which Residence Halls Can First Year Students Live In?

We assign as many first-year students as possible to first-year designated* residence halls in alignment with the University’s student success goals. Most first-year students live in traditional and suite-style residence halls, but may be assigned to other residence halls if space is available or they are a member of a special population (such as students who need physical accommodations).

*NOTE: Hunt, Laurel, Lynch, Oak, Scott and Wilson Halls are reserved for first-year students. Other residence halls may be added to that list, in part or in whole.

How many years are first-time in college (FTIC) students required to live on campus?

The First-Year Live-On Requirement only requires first-time in college (FTIC) students to live on campus for one academic year.

Why is there a First-Year Live-On Requirement now?

At Charlotte, we know from our institutional research that students who live on campus their first year are more likely to return for their second year. We also know that students who live on campus for at least one year are more likely than their off-campus peers to graduate on time in four years.

The First-Year Live-On Requirement for first-time in college (FTIC) students begins with those who are admitted for fall 2025.

Most of our peer institutions as well as other colleges in the UNC system already require first-year students to live on campus for one or two years.

I live in a neighboring county but want to live on campus. What do I do?

If your permanent address is in Mecklenburg or a neighboring county, you will be automatically exempt from the live-on requirement. These counties include: Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Catawba, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Rowan, and Union counties.

If you would prefer to live on campus, you will be able to apply for housing when the housing application opens in early Spring semester.

Who is eligible for an exemption?

Automatic Exemptions (no housing application required):

Student whose permanent address is in a neighboring county while attending their first year at the University (Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Catawba, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Rowan, Union)

Eligible Exemptions (exemption request form required):

Under 16 (on first day of housing contract)
Over 21 (by first day of housing contract)
International Student (F-1 or J-1 status)
Prior Military Service
Married (marriage status confirmed in Banner)

Extenuating circumstances that may require supplemental documentation and further review:

Students who have custody of dependent children: a certified copy of birth certificate or appropriate court order must be submitted as documentation
Students who serve as the primary caregiver for a dependent adult: health, court, or tax records
Students with a demonstrated financial hardship

The exemption process is NOT intended for students who:

Are dissatisfied with their housing assignment, roommate, or on-campus living in general.
Have dietary concerns or requirements that can be accommodated by Dining Services.
Have a medical condition impairment, or disability that can be accommodated on-campus with support from Disability Services.
Have signed a lease at an off-campus apartment complex.
Wish to live with a sibling or friend off campus.

What do I do if I need to request an exemption for health-related reasons?

Students who have a significant medical condition that cannot be accommodated in on-campus housing should participate in the Housing Accommodations process through Disability Services.

Accommodations are determined on a case-by-case basis with respect to sufficient documentation that addresses how the impact of the disability requires the housing accommodation based on equal access.

How do I submit an Exemption Request Form?

You will be able to access the Exemption Request Form when the housing application opens in early Spring semester. Depending on the circumstances of your request, please allow up to 10 business days for review.

Note: Students have to be accepted to UNC Charlotte to access the housing application or Exemption Request Form.

What is the deadline to apply for housing or submit an Exemption Request Form?

As soon as you know you plan to enroll at UNC Charlotte, you are encouraged to complete either a housing application or the exemption request form (if required).

Please note: you should not submit a housing application and an exemption request form. You do not need to have submitted your intent to enroll to apply for housing or request an exemption.

If I live on campus, am I required to have a meal plan?

Yes. Meal plan rates can be found on the Dining Services website.

Please note that all first-year students, no matter where they live, and all residents of traditional and suite style housing are required to select a meal plan. Apartment residents may choose a meal plan, but they are not required to have one.