First Year Live in Requirement (FLIR)


The Washington Administrative Code (WAC 504-24-030) requires all single undergraduate first year students under 20 years of age to live in residence halls for one academic year.

The policy is based on the belief, substantiated by national and local data regarding the benefits of living in first year approved housing, that our living and learning environments offer the highest educational value to students. Further, there is a decided interest in the education, well-being, health, safety and convenience of all our students. Irrespective of religion, ethnicity, race, lifestyle, gender or ability, our students benefit from interaction with other students as well as the academic and social support services offered by our residence life staff.

Exemptions will be considered when a student demonstrates to WSU that:

  1. The student has attended an institution of higher education (post high school graduation) as a regularly enrolled student for at least two regular semesters or three regular quarters, excluding summer sessions. Running Start students are considered first year students with college credits, not regularly enrolled students, and are subject to the live-in requirements.  Include Documentation: Transcripts, official or unofficial.
  2. The student is living with immediate family in a family situation. Mother and/or father, legal guardian, aunt or uncle, or grandparents only qualify as "immediate family." Immediate family must live within a 40 mile radius of the WSU Pullman campus. Include Documentation: Proof of residency and address of immediate family member (lease for apartments and utility bill for single family homes). Birth certificates/marriage license showing relationship to the immediate family. A letter from the immediate family member verifying you are living with them.
  3. The student can demonstrate they have a documented medical or psychological condition that clearly shows living in on-campus student housing would have a detrimental effect on the student’s personal physical health and/or emotional well being. Required Documentation: Both forms must be submitted: First-year Live-in Rule Verification of Disability/Chronic Health Condition must be filled out by a licensed medical provider. All questions must be answered by the medical provider, incomplete forms will not be considered.  The First-year Live-in Rule Student Personal Statement.
  4. The student can demonstrate that living in recognized University housing would cause undue financial hardship or other extraordinary hardship.  Please note: WSU Housing does not consider financial hardship exceptions if you are able to accept or take on more loans but are unwilling or choose not to. A signed lease elsewhere does not preclude you from the First Year Live-in Requirement. Include Required Documentation:
    Financial Hardship Documentation: Copy of financial aid award information, budget sheet & personal statement showing expenses comparing the costs of living on-campus versus off-campus and describing the unique circumstances, and any additional information that clarifies an extraordinary financial circumstance.
    Extraordinary Hardship Documentation: include a personal statement describing the unique circumstances and any additional information that clarifies an extraordinary circumstance.

Applications for permission to reside off campus are available to be submitted online at the link below.  Applications are reviewed and a determination is made whether an exemption will be granted. Individuals applying for such exemption will be informed of the decision in writing via their WSU student email.  Do not sign a lease until you have received written notification of approval.

If you have questions about the above exceptions, please reach out to pullman.flir@wsu.edu or (509) 335-5757.

If a student feels that the decision was not in accordance with Residence Life policy or Washington State law, or if there is new information which might reasonably impact the decision, students may request a review of the decision by submitting a written appeal to the office of the Dean of Students (deanofstudents@wsu.edu). The appeal should include any new documentation or information that would be relevant. The office of the Dean of Students will review the information and an appeal decision will be sent to the student's WSU email.

Submit the waiver request online.  Requests submitted without supporting documentation will be denied.  Waiver requests can take up to 14 days to be reviewed and processed.  Students should check their WSU emails for official letters once a waiver has been processed.

If you are found to be eligible for this waiver, you may still be responsible for all penalty fees as a result of breaking your contract.