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Off-Campus Living Community

Why Students Live on Campus

More than six decades of national research consistently shows that living on campus strengthens a student’s academic and personal success. Students who reside in university housing typically:

    • Demonstrate higher levels of critical thinking and engagement.

    • Earn stronger grades and are more likely to graduate.

    • Report greater satisfaction with their college experience.

    • Form stronger connections to the university community.

    • Benefit from exposure to diverse ideas, cultures, and perspectives.

    • Have more opportunities to develop leadership, life skills, and support networks.

Living on campus also provides practical benefits:

    • Convenience: Students are close to academic buildings, services, and campus resources.

    • Safety: Residence Life and Public Safety staff complete nightly building checks and campus patrols.

    • Community Support: Students benefit from peer networks that help them adjust to academic rigor and the transition away from home.

University Residency Requirement

McKendree University requires undergraduate students to reside in university housing unless formally approved to commute or live off campus. This policy supports the institution’s educational mission and fosters a vibrant residential learning community.

Each student must do one of the following annually:

        1. Submit a Housing Application (incoming students),
        2. Renew their Housing Contract (returning students), or
        3. Apply to Waive the Residency Requirement (commuters).

By completing a Housing Application or Contract Renewal, a student affirms their agreement to all terms and conditions of the Housing and Meal Plan Contract. These contracts are continuous, binding agreements that remain in effect until the student is officially released from the residency requirement in writing.

Application to Waive the Residency Requirement

Students wishing to live off campus must submit an Application to Waive the Residency Requirement through the ResLife Portal. Approval is not guaranteed and must be obtained before signing any lease or rental contract.

You can only access this form through your ResLife Portal - Click here to see how.

Eligibility Criteria

A student may be considered for a residency requirement waiver if, at the start of the term for which the waiver is requested, they meet one or more of the following conditions:

    • Commuting Distance

        • Living with a parent or legal guardian at their permanent residence within 50 miles of the University.

        • Requires completion of the Legal Guardian Release, if applicable.

    • Age and Academic Standing

        • At least 21 years old and holding 60+ credit hours, or

        • 22 years old, or

        • Holding 90+ credit hours.

    • Marital or Family Status

        • Married (requires marriage certificate).

        • Custodial parent of dependent children (requires birth certificate or appropriate documentation).

    • Veteran Status

        • Completed at least two years of active military service (requires DD Form 214).

    • Academic Placement or Modality

        • Enrolled in 100% online coursework with no in-person classes, or

        • Participating in student teaching, cooperative education, or an internship located more than 30 miles from McKendree.

Documentation Requirements

Supporting documentation must be uploaded at the time of application or emailed to reslife@mckendree.edu. 

Strong Warning:
Failure to submit required documentation will not only delay the review process, it will ensure that the student remains bound by the residency requirement and will result in full housing and meal plan charges for the applicable term.

Important Warnings

These expectations are non-negotiable:

    • Do NOT sign a lease, rental agreement, or any off-campus housing contract before receiving written waiver approval.
      Doing so does not release a student from housing obligations.

    • Students remain financially responsible for all housing and meal plan charges until a waiver is officially approved in writing.

    • Submitting an application does not grant permission to move off campus.
      Only written approval from Residence Life constitutes release from the residency requirement.

    • Applications submitted without complete documentation are considered incomplete and will not be approved.

    • Students are encouraged to speak with Financial Aid prior to selecting off-campus housing, as approval may affect financial aid packages.

Deadlines

Waiver applications must be submitted by:

    • July 1 – For exemption from fall semester housing

    • January 1 – For exemption from spring semester housing

Applications received after these deadlines may not be reviewed.

 

EDUrain


Once your waiver is approved, you will be able to enter Off-Campus Living Community - Housing Marketplace.  This can be your start of finding the perfect place to live, and getting the resources you need to make your first renting experience smooth and enjoyable.

  • save money on your security deposit with their Security Deposit Alternative Program

  • Easily connect with other students looking for roommates and off-campus housing
  • Understand how to improve your credit score with their free resources
  • Finance your education with access to over 20,000 scholarships
  • Find free legal assistance from trusted lawyers on housing-related issues

Students are welcome to peruse the site, but they will not be able to log in until after their Residency Waiver has been approved.  Graduate students wishing to gain immediate access can call the Office of Residence Life at (618) 537-6855.

 

Looking to rent to McKendree Students?


The platform prepares students to be educated and responsible renters through our suite of free resources and services. Tap into this network of students and quickly find your next renter.