First-Year Student Residency Requirement


First-time, full-time undergraduate students admitted to the Las Cruces campus will be required to live in a university-operated residence hall for the first academic year, or two semesters.  Research has shown when students live on campus, they gain many more benefits and rewards than those living off campus.  NMSU believes in the residential experience.  Students engage through a more structured environment that promotes academic and personal success.

Residency Exemptions

Eligible students may request one of the following exemptions to the residency requirement:
  • Student living with immediate family (limited to parent(s), legal guardian, grandparent(s), or aunt/uncle)
  • Student residing with spouse/domestic partner or dependent child(ren)
  • Student 21 years or older
  • Student enrolled full-time in distance education
  • Active military or veteran status (No documentation needed, NMSU internal verification)
  • Medical accommodation
  • Other extenuating circumstances (including financial hardship)

Request an Exemption

COMPLETE THE ENTIRE EXEMPTION ONLINE VIA MYHOUSING Students can expect to receive a communication through their official NMSU e-mail account.  The committee’s decision, or a request for additional documentation, will be processed within 10 business days.  All committee decisions are final.

For more information about the housing exemption process, contact:
Housing & Residential Life
Corbett Center Student Union, Room 230
Phone: (575) 646-3202
Email: housing@nmsu.edu
Website: housing.nmsu.edu/applications