Campus Life will be moving to the following Residency Requirement, applicable to all incoming students, beginning Academic Year 2024-2025.

Pacific Lutheran University requires that all full-time students live in university housing unless the student meets one of the following criteria:

  • Live at home with a parent in Pierce County or in the following approved zip codes. Please see the attached document for approved zip codes located outside of Pierce County
  • Is at least 20 years of age on or before September 1 to be exempt for the academic year, or on or before February 1 to be exempt for the spring semester.
  • Enrolled in and completed at least 4 full semesters at Pacific Lutheran University; includes full semester study away programs, excludes J-term and Summer.
  • Living with a spouse or child [copy of marriage or birth certificate required].

A student enrolled at the University and living off-campus that does not meet the criteria listed above and without approval from the Department of Residential Life is in violation of this policy, and will be held responsible for room and meal charges for that period and will be required to move on-campus for the remainder of their time.

Students with an admit term prior to Fall 2024 will remain subject to the Residency Requirement active at the time of their admit term. The previous Residency Requirement used prior to Fall 2024 is listed below.

Pacific Lutheran University requires that all full-time students live in university housing unless the student meets one of the following criteria:

  • Live at home with a parent, spouse, or child within 25 driving miles of PLU’s address;
  • 20 years of age or Junior Status (60 semester hours) on or before September 1 to be exempt for the academic year, or on or before February 1 to be exempt for the spring semester.

A student enrolled at the University and living off-campus that does not meet the criteria listed above and without approval from the Department of Residential Life is in violation of this policy, and will be held responsible for room and meal charges for that period and will be required to move on-campus for the remainder of their time.

Required Documentation

Documentation will no longer be required beginning the 2024-2025 academic year. Students who notify admissions or Student Financial Services of an at-home or off campus status will be verified for Residency Requirement eligibility by our office and notified if they do not meet the criteria.

  • Students living at home with parent, spouse or child within 25 driving miles of PLU must submit a Confirmation of Living at Home Form (COLAH) for the requested academic year, this form will be found in the second section of the Living Plans and Learning Community Application
  • Students living with a spouse must submit a certified copy of their marriage license and those students living with a child must present a certified birth certificate for the dependent child.

Important Dates and Deadlines

All documents must be received in the Department of Residential Life one day prior to residence hall opening day for the corresponding semester in order to avoid a daily non-refundable housing and meal plan charge will be placed on the student’s account.. This date changes yearly so please refer to Rates and Dates on the Residential Life Website.  A daily housing rate will begin accruing as of residence hall opening day for those students who do not have the proper notarized/certified form on file.   Housing charges will continue to accrue until either the student moves into university housing or submits the proper documentation.  These charges are non-refundable.  Meal Plan charges will also accrue.  Refer to the Campus Restaurants website for additional information.   Students who do not file the proper documentation and/or live in accordance with the University’s Residency Requirement will be referred to the University Student Conduct System for disciplinary action.