Returning Student Housing Status Change Requests and Contract Release Information
These processes are not for incoming students. Incoming students can work through their application process to notify us of their housing status.
"I would like to commute." | Becoming a Commuter Student
We encourage students to discuss this option with their families as soon as possible. There may be implications to your financial aid package by changing your housing status from residential to commuter. If you are seeking to be released from your housing contract, that is you have a need to live off-campus and not at your permanent address with family, please see Housing Contract Release information below.
To change your housing status to commuter, please email reslife@etown.edu
"I commute and would like to live on-campus." | Becoming a Residential Student
Students who are currently commuting and would like to change their housing status to residential are welcome to do so. There may be implications to your financial aid package by changing your housing status from commuter to residential. Please connect with a Financial Aid Counselor before making this request. Then contact Housing & Residence Life for an appointment to change your housing status. This request can be made at any time.
"I would like to live off-campus on my own." | Requesting a Contract Release without Buy Out
Etown is a residential college, which means students are required to live on campus for four years or eight semesters. Students wishing to live off campus may do so and are beholden to their housing contract payments. This means that to live off campus you are also required to pay the double room rate each semester that remains in your required eight semester contract. There are exceptions to this:
Students with significant health or financial changes can apply to be released from the breakage fee. Please note that applying does not guarantee you will be released from the fee. Students should take the following steps to request being released without the buy out:
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Contact Financial Aid to determine whether any changes to your financial situation will adjust your financial aid package.
- This may require completing a Professional Judgment (PJ) Form .
- If your situation has changed significantly Financial Aid will notify us and you would then be invited to apply for Contract Release for the following academic year . The timeline for this process is outlined below.
- If you have a disability that requires a housing accommodation, please connect with Disability Services. If we are unable to provide a reasonable, disability-related modification on-camous, we will work with you to discuss an alternative housing solution.