On-Campus Requirements for First Year Students

A First-Year student is classified as a student who has graduated from high school within the previous academic year. All First-Year students are required to reside in University housing and to maintain a Residential dining plan during their first year, which will normally include the Fall and Spring semesters. Anyone signing an academic year housing/dining contract will be required to fulfill the terms and conditions of that contract.

Waiver of First-Year Housing/Meal Plan Policy

There are some exceptions to the First-Year Housing and Meal Plan Policy, and students may request a waiver based on those exceptions. Students may waive the First-Year Housing/Meal Plan requirement if they meet one of the qualifications below. The form for requesting a waiver of first-year housing is located on the Housing Portal under the forms tab. Please complete all items listed based on the reasoning for the request below.

Financial Hardship

If requesting a waiver due to financial hardship, the following needs to be completed:

An email will be sent to you after you submit your waiver, and you may respond to that email with documentation to support your statement of financial hardship.

Once this information is on file, we will examine the amount of financial aid that you receive along with the average cost of attending Sam Houston State University. Based upon these calculations, your request will be granted or denied. If you are not eligible for Financial Aid, or if your request for Financial Aid has been denied, please include this information in your statement.

Certified Medical Release

If requesting a waiver due to certified medical release, the following needs to be completed:

An email will be sent to you after you submit your waiver, and you may respond to that email with a filled authorization for your attending physician to release information on your medical condition to Sam Houston State University.

Once we receive the above information, we will send a questionnaire to your providing physician. When the completed questionnaire is returned, we will review the questionnaire to determine if we can provide appropriate accommodations based on your housing needs. A decision will then be made to grant or deny your request. We do not request that your physician send us your medial records, but we do require that he/she return the completed questionnaire so that we can process your request. Additional notes or letters from your physician may be sent along as supportive documentation; however, they will not replace the necessity of the questionnaire.

Family Housing (First-Year student is married, or is a parent themselves)

If requesting a waiver due to marriage, the following needs to be completed:

An email will be sent to you after you submit your waiver, and you may respond to that email with an official copy of the marriage license filed with the courthouse.

If requesting a waiver due to family housing, the following needs to be completed:

An email will be sent to you after you submit your waiver, and you may respond to that email with a official copy of a child's Birth Certificate.

Commuting from permanent home of parent/legal guardian or grandparent (within 60 mile radius)

If requesting a waiver due to commuting from within a 60 mile radius from parent/legal guardian or grandparent, the following need to be completed:

An email will be sent to you after you submit your waiver, and you may respond to that email with the following necessary documentation:

  • Proof of permanent residency being a established at least 6 months in advance of enrollment. Must provide a utility bill and driver's license of the parent/legal guardian or grandparent. All addresses listed must match the indicated home address used when completing the First-Year Waiver.  Those with a different address listed on driver's license may be asked to update license and provide documentation from Texas Department of Transportation of processed address change request.
  • Copies of the court approved guardianship papers, if living with a legal guardian.

Commuting from home of sibling (within 60 mile radius)

If requesting a waiver due to commuting from home of sibling within a 60 mile radius, the following need to be completed:

An email will be sent to you after you submit your waiver, and you may respond to that email with the following necessary documentation:

  • Copy of the lease listing both siblings as residents, if renting an apartment or other rental property.
  • Verification of home ownership, if the sibling owns a home.
  • Proof of permanent residency being a established at least 6 months in advance of enrollment.

Military Service

If requesting a waiver due to military service, the following needs to be completed:

An email will be sent to you after you submit your waiver, and you may respond to that email with a verification of military service.

Waiver Deadlines

Default Housing ($3,000 placeholder for rent charges) and Dining (All Access Plan) will be added to all students required to live on-campus for both Fall and Spring Semesters. These charges will be removed with approved waiver or assignment to an on-campus housing booking. Waivers must be received by the 8th class day of the semester. Any waivers received after the 8th class day will only be reviewed in extenuating circumstances, and no request will be reviewed after the close of the requested semester. Any student denied a waiver will have 10 business days to request an appeal.

Process to Obtain a Waiver 

  1. Access Housing Portal in MySam Students Tab
  2. In Housing Portal, locate Forms tab and choose “Request for Waiver of First-Year Housing Policy.”
  3. Complete all information. After you submit the form, you will receive an email with your next steps such as supplying additional documentation to support your reason.
  4. Any student denied a waiver will have 10 business days to request an appeal.