In 2023, when we welcomed our incoming students to campus, we shared our vision of Tulane, where most third-year students could live on campus. That vision is now a reality, as of Fall 2025. Research has consistently shown that students who live on campus are more engaged academically and socially and report a higher level of satisfaction throughout their college experience. Students who live on campus enjoy easier access to classrooms, libraries, dining options, recreational venues, student health services, safety resources and more. On-campus residents also have the opportunity to live in a dynamic and engaging setting with like-minded classmates who share their intellectual interests and research pursuits.
Our adding new on-campus housing also helps fulfill Tulane’s goal of working closely with the City of New Orleans to reduce the pressures on the off-campus housing market and sustain the integrity of the neighborhood communities that surround the university.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is required to live on campus and for how long?
Students admitted as first time first year students (not transfer students) for the Fall 2023 semester or later are required to live on campus for their first three years at Tulane. This information was shared in the Admission Materials when students deposited in the Fall of 2023 and Spring 2024.
Three years is defined as three academic years from the fall of the year of the student's first semester. Students that start during a spring semester will complete 2.5 years on campus.
What if I need to take time away from Tulane?
Students take a leave from Tulane will remain aligned with their original timeline. Taking a leave does not add additional semesters to a student's residence requirement. Students returning from a leave during their first three years will be required to live on campus upon their return to Tulane.
Students that defer their enrollment through the office of Admission. (even if they moved on to campus briefly their first semester) will have their three years start upon their new enrollment term.
Does Tulane have enough housing for third-year students?
With the completion of Fogelman and Bayou Halls on the former site of Irby and Paterson residence halls, we have the capacity to house third-year students on campus.
Where will rising second and third year students live?
All students returning to campus for their second or third year will be able to select their room during Returning Student Room Selection. Students will be able to choose from available rooms in any returning student community regardless of their class year. Students will select rooms in seniority order according to housing classification, which is derived from years on campus. We anticipate many of our third- year students will have interest in Aron Residences and Décou-Labat Residences, where there are a larger number of apartments or single rooms in suites.
Do third-year students on campus have to have a meal plan?
Yes, all students residing on campus must participate in a dining plan. Dining Plan information can be found here.
Students participating in a Tulane study abroad program through the Office of Study Abroad or the Freeman School of Business program where they are enrolled in study abroad credits through Tulane during their fall semester will not live on campus during the fall and will not be guaranteed on-campus housing when returning for the spring semester. We do, however, anticipate having some space for students returning to campus for the Spring and encourage them to apply for Spring Housing in November. Students studying abroad in the Spring semester will be required to live on campus for the fall semester prior to their time abroad.
Students who study abroad during a leave of absence remain subject to the three-year residency requirement while they are enrolled in classes on the uptown campus if they return to Tulane during their first three years.
Who is permitted to live off campus?
- Students studying abroad – see section above.
- Students living in Tulane recognized Greek chapter housing. This requires prior authorization from the Fraternity and Sorority Programs office. Fraternity and Sorority Programs will supply these approvals directly to Housing and Residence Life.
- Students who qualify for housing residency exemptions. See section below for more details. These students include:
- Students who live with a legal guardian at their permanent residence, within a 50-mile radius of Tulane's Uptown Campus.
- Students who are 22 years of age or older by the first day of fall classes.
- Students who are legally married before June 30 prior to the academic year.
- Students who are legal guardians of a minor.
- Students with qualifying disabilities whose medical needs have been evaluated by the Goldman Center for Student Accessibility and found to be eligible following a review of all campus-based resources and accommodations as it pertains to the functional limitations of the diagnosed condition(s).
- Transfer Students and Exchange Students
- Students in their fourth or higher year at Tulane
- Graduate and Professional students (These students are not permitted to reside on the uptown campus)
What if I want to live off campus but do not fall into one of the categories above?
Students who do not meet the criteria above are not eligible to live off campus. The University has established clear criteria to live off campus and these are the only cases in which exemptions are approved. Any student in their first three years should NOT sign a lease that would commit you to living in an off-campus residence unless you will be in a Tulane study abroad program through the Office of Study Abroad or the Freeman School of Business program where they are enrolled in study abroad credits through Tulane. Students will be required to live on campus for their first three years if they do not fall into one of the categories listed in the section above.
Students are also encouraged not to sign leases until they are certain they will be going abroad in one of the programs mentioned above. Students that later choose not to abroad will not be exempted from their three year residency requirement even if they have signed an off campus lease.
Residency Exemption Process Information
First- and second-year students who live within 50 miles of campus, are older than the exemption age or are married, may request an exemption to the Residency Requirement by submitting a Residency Exemption Request Form. Submitting this request does not guarantee Residency Exemption. If this request is not approved, a space on campus will be reserved for the requestor and the student will remain responsible for all housing charges. To request an exemption, you must submit a Residency Exemption form and provide verification of ONE of the following by June 1 (new, incoming students) or February 24 (continuing/returning students):
Local residency with a parent or legal guardian (see explanation and details below)
- Letter of consent from parent or guardian verifying your residency with them for the following academic year
- Verification of local address as primary residence of the parent or guardian
- Current utility bill with parent or guardian name included, along with matching driver’s license (copies only, please delete or "black out" the social security info)
- Current lease or rental agreement along with matching driver’s license or matching utility bills
Above 22 years of age before the first day of fall classes.
Legally married by June 30
Note: Living in a parent or guardian's secondary or non-primary residence (such as a rental unit) does not constitute living with a parent or guardian in their primary residence and requested exemptions will not be approved.
Please submit the Residency Exemption form and appropriate materials in writing by email, via fax (504) 862-8944, or by mail to:
Housing & Residence Life
29 McAlister Drive, River Hall - Tulane University
New Orleans, LA 70118
Please note that incoming first year students that apply and returning students that apply for and select on campus housing and later cancel will be subject to cancellation fees.
Updated 12/5/2025
