The residency requirement at Indiana University of Pennsylvania went into effect in fall 2017. It was updated in May 2020.
New First-Time Freshmen
New first-time freshmen students have a two-semester residency requirement.
Transfer Students, International Students, and Readmitted Students
Transfer students, international students (new and transfer), and readmitted students with fewer than 30 credits have a two-semester residency requirement to live on campus, or until 30 credits are earned.
Graduate Students
There is not a residency requirement for graduate students.
Exceptions Will Be Made for Students Who
- commute no more than 50 miles from the home of their parents or guardian,
- are married,
- have dependent children living with them,
- are veterans of military service, or
- are 21 years of age or older, or
- are IUP culinary graduates
The residency requirement has been implemented to:
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Support student academic success. Similar to national results, research at IUP indicates that students living on campus consistently achieve higher grades than their counterparts residing off campus.
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Enhance student development. The residential experience allows students an opportunity to interact with peers and participate in a number of programs and activities that stimulate and challenge a student's personal and intellectual growth and development.
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Assist students in making a smooth transition to university life. Research has shown that students living on campus are more satisfied with their living environment, are more satisfied with their college experience, and have a greater retention and graduation rate than their off-campus counterparts. IUP Housing staff members are available to assist students and serve as a resource for students experiencing adjustment issues to college life.
In addition to the above, living on campus provides a number of other advantages, including the following:
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Close proximity to classrooms, dining halls, the library, and recreational facilities
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Fully furnished rooms with a number of amenities, including a high-speed Internet connection, cable television, and local phone service
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An opportunity to live on an academic specialty or special interest floor/cluster
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A living environment which emphasizes residential safety, including buildings locked 24/7 with card access, security cameras at exterior doors, alarmed exterior doors, and professional and paraprofessional staff that patrol within and around residential buildings, as well as sprinkler systems and smoke detectors in all student rooms and common areas
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Cost savings of $1,000 through the housing scholarship. Save $1,000* the first year you live in the suite-style residence halls.
Students requesting an exemption to IUP's residency requirement must complete a Residency Requirement Exemption Request Form, available through MyIUP or for download at Residency Requirement Exemption Request Form.
*Available to degree-seeking students on the Indiana campus only. The money is distributed at $500 per semester.