Housing Residency Requirements

New, first-year students entering WPI for the first time in the fall of 2026 semester are required to live in university housing for their first and second years. Additionally, all first-year students living on campus are required to enroll in a residential meal plan.

WPI strongly believes that living on campus helps new students transition successfully to college life by fostering academic engagement, social connections, and community involvement. 

Students entering WPI in the spring semester are also encouraged to live on campus to benefit from these same opportunities. While housing availability in the spring is more limited, we are committed to supporting students in the process. Offers will be made based on application timing and space availability.

Transfer students are not required to live on campus, but WPI encourages those interested to consider the benefits of on-campus living, including easier access to campus resources, opportunities to build connections, and a supportive community environment.  On-campus housing for transfer students is guaranteed for those interested. 

After fulfilling the two-year housing requirement, returning students (Juniors and Seniors) may apply for on-campus housing through WPI’s annual housing selection process. While WPI Housing & Residential Experience Center (HREC) works to accommodate as many students as possible, housing beyond the first two years is not guaranteed.

Students returning from a Leave of Absence (LOA) may also request on-campus housing, pending space availability. These students should contact HREC as part of their re-admittance process to complete the appropriate housing application.

All housing contracts at WPI cover the full academic year. 

Exemptions to WPI’s first-year residency requirement may be granted by the Housing & Residential Experience Center (HREC) under specific circumstances. Students seeking an exemption must submit a Residency Requirement Exemption Request Form along with appropriate supporting documentation.

Unless an exemption is formally approved, students are expected to pay all room and board charges in full by WPI’s published payment deadlines. If an exemption request is approved after payment has been made, a refund will be issued in accordance with WPI’s tuition and fee refund schedule.

To be considered for exemption, students must submit their completed form and documentation by the following deadlines:

• May 1 – for current students planning to return to housing in the fall
• June 1 – for incoming first-year students beginning in the fall
• December 1 – for new or returning students requesting exemption for the spring semester

Students and families are encouraged to reach out to HREC with questions early in the process to ensure timely review of their exemption request.

Exemptions are typically granted when:

• The student lives within a 30-mile radius of campus at their permanent legal residence with a parent, legal guardian, sibling or will be living with an immediate family member who is over the age of 25 at their permanent legal address.
• The student is able to demonstrate a financial hardship, as determined by WPI Financial Aid, that would otherwise prevent them from attending WPI.
• The student has a disability that precludes living in a residence hall.
  • Documentation of the student’s disability is required from a qualified professional who has direct knowledge of the student and their condition, e.g., a physician, psychiatrist, or psychologist. This documentation must meet the guidelines described in the Office of Accessibility Services statement of policies and procedures (found on the Office of Accessibility Services page);
• The student is married and/or a parent with whom one or more dependent children reside.
• The student is 21 years of age or older prior to September 1 of the academic year – only applicable for First-Year locations.
• The student has served in the military as verified by a discharge certificate.
• The student is of sophomore status, has joined a fraternity/sorority, and will be living within the officially registered fraternity/sorority house.