Exemption Request Process
Housing & Residence Life follows the Universities of Wisconsin Board of Regents' Residency Requirement. This means that students are expected to live on campus their first two years after High School graduation unless they are approved to commute from home (see Commuter Request section) or are granted an exemption to this policy by UWEC Housing Personnel.
Requesting an Exemption
Students who believe they have extenuating circumstances may request an exemption to this policy by submitting an Exemption Request through the Housing Portal. To do so, select the “Apply” tile and choose the academic session for which you are requesting an exemption (for example, 2026-2027).
Important: Students may only submit an exemption request if they do not already have a signed housing contract for that academic session. If you currently have an active housing contract, you must first submit a contract release request and receive approval before you can submit an exemption request.
If a student is requesting an exemption because they plan to commute from home, please see Commuter Request section for more information.
Exemption Conditions & Required Documentation
Students may be granted an exemption to the Residency Requirement for the reasons listed below. Each exemption request must include the required documentation to be considered
| Automatic Exemption Criteria |
|---|
| Condition | Required Documentation |
| Student is a veteran or has completed two or more years of active military service | Copy of DD214 discharge papers |
| Student is married and living with their spouse | Copy of official marriage license |
| Student is a parent & their dependent lives with them | Copy of dependent's birth certificate |
| Student has been out of high school for two or more years | No documentation required; eligibility will be verified with the Admissions Office |
Students who do not meet the criteria above but believe they have an extenuating circumstance that makes living on campus difficult may submit the Exemption Request under one of the following categories. Please note that submitting an Exemption Request under one of these conditions are not subject to automatic approval.
| Extenuating Circumstances |
|---|
| Reason | Required Documentation |
| EXTREME Financial Hardship | Typed, detailed explanation in Microsoft Word document regarding how the circumstances would limit the student from living on campus, including any relevant supporting documentation. |
| EXTREME Personal Hardship | Typed, detailed explanation in Microsoft Word document regarding how the circumstances would limit the student from living on campus, including any relevant supporting documentation. |
Commuter Request
Students may also be exempt from the Residency Requirement if they plan to commute from the home of a parent or legal guardian located within 40 miles of the UW–Eau Claire campus (105 Garfield Avenue, Eau Claire, WI 54701).
The decision to commute must be made before activating the University Housing and Dining Service Contract. Students are not permitted to commute from the home of siblings, grandparents, other relatives, or a fiancé(e)/significant other.
Students must submit an Exemption Request through the Housing Portal. A completed Commuter Request Form, which must be requested by emailing housing@uwec.edu, must accompany the Exemption Request and serves as the official documentation to support the request.
