Residential Requirement
St. Olaf College takes pride in its status as a residential college. During a time when many students are transitioning to the management of their own living space, the on-campus residential experience assists in the development of heightened responsibility and preparedness for life after college through assigned living spaces and programming. St. Olaf residence halls are structured to support student development from entry to graduation.
The College does permit students to request an exemption to the residential requirement. Each academic year the eligible exemptions are reviewed.
Below are the five 2025-2026 academic year Residential Housing Exemptions approved by the College:
- 23 years of age or older on or before December 31.
- Parent(s) or guardian(s) address is within a 45-mile radius from the St. Olaf College physical address, 1520 St. Olaf Avenue, Northfield, MN 55057
- Student must have an anticipated graduation for the academic year 2025, 2026, 2027, or 2028.
- Student Classification (i.e., Sophomore, Junior, Senior) will not be used for eligibility for the Residential Housing Process.
- Student must live with their parent(s) or guardian(s)during that academic year.
- Map the address you will be living to St. Olaf College.
- Address must be within 45 driving miles from the St. Olaf College address.
- Student must have an anticipated graduation for the academic year 2025, 2026, 2027, or 2028.
- Have completed all Major or Degree Requirements before the first day of Fall 2025 semester.
- Married student.
- Custodial parent.
Extenuating Circumstances
Indicating that you almost meet or will almost meet one of the approved College Exemptions are not eligible for submission as an extenuating circumstance.
Students may submit evidence of an extenuating circumstance for consideration in the Residential Housing Exemption process.
Campus Support
Students requesting any of the following will not be considered for an extenuating circumstance including but not limited to Disability-related Accommodations; Religious Needs; Financial Aid; or Dining during the Residential Housing Exemption request process.
Please view these resources for additional information on how your on-campus living experience can be supported.
Disability-related reasons will not be considered in the Residential Housing Exemption Request Form. Students with a documented disability must work through the housing accommodations process with the Office of Disability and Access.
Please note: most needs of students with disabilities can be met through on campus housing options.
Religious reasons are reviewed in coordination with College Ministry, and thus will not be considered in the Residential Housing Exemption Request Form. Follow the link below to see on-campus religious resources:
Most students requesting a religious need can be supported through on-campus housing options.
Financial reasons will not be considered during the Residential Housing Exemption process. St. Olaf provides financial aid to meet the financial needs of students. Please follow the link below to learn more about financial aid offered at St. Olaf college.
Meal plan support is not considered in the Residential Housing Exemption Request Form. Most meal needs can be met through on-campus dining services.Students requesting meal plan support must follow the guidelines here:
Housing Exemption Request Form
Timeline
| Date | Notes |
|---|---|
| November 13 | Residential Housing Exemption Application Opens
Informational Session 1 |
| November 14 | Informational Session 11 |
| December 10 | Residential Housing Exemption Application Closes |
| December 19 | Final application decisions communicated via St. Olaf Email account |
| January 7 | Students approved must accept the Residential Housing Exemption Approval |
| March 4 | Students approved but not living with parent/guardian must submit their off-campus address and lease deadline
Students must submit a confirm or tentative service site. |
Application Process
- Applications go live via SIS on November 13, 2024 and must be submitted by December 10, 2024 by 11:59 pm (CST).
- The system timestamps submissions
- late submission will not be considered.
- Decisions will be announced on/by December 19, 2024 via stolaf.edu email.
- Applications are reviewed, considered and granted/denied on an individual basis.
- Approved exemptions must be accepted by the individual student by January 7, 2025, 11:59 pm via SIS.
- Submissions are timestamped.
- Approved students must provide the following by March 4, 2025:
- Students not living with parents/guardians must submit a scanned copy of your off-campus housing contract to housing@stolaf.edu.
- If not present within the off-campus housing contract, students must provide an address of the off-campus housing location to housing@stolaf.edu.
- Students must provide the confirm or tentative service site.
- Students who have accepted the Residential Housing Exemption but do not meet the requirements above will automatically be placed into the regular Returning Student Housing Selection Process. The Residential Housing Exemption approval extended will be rescinded.
Terms of Agreement
- Approvals are only granted on an academic year basis (no automatic renewal)
- A student provided an exemption may be rescinded if the student’s behavior at the college or off-campus is that which does not positively reflect on the college, e.g. noise complaints, vandalism, mismanagement of alcohol.
- An off-campus housing contract is between the student and the landlord solely.
- Students are responsible for maintaining an accurate physical address with Residence Life and the Registrar’s Office.
- The address is used by the Financial Aid Office
- The address is shared with the Dean of Students
- The address is shared with Northfield City Administration