Office of Residence Life

Housing Policies and Accommodations

Oberlin College is a residential college that prides itself on offering a distinct housing and dining program that incorporates academic and personal growth opportunities.

These programs are vital to the mission of the College and provide the student population with many occasions to socialize and exchange ideas with a diverse group of people.

According to College policy, all students are required to participate in the housing and dining program through graduation.

Housing Policies 

Disability Housing Accommodations

The Office of Residence Life understands that some students may have medical conditions that require housing and/or dining accommodation. 

Requests for  accommodation(s) in housing and/or dining based on disability should be made through the Office of Disability and Access (ODA).

 

Students who are 23 years or older by January 1 of the academic year in which the exemption applies to them.

Documentation:

  • Complete the Housing Application and Exemption Sections of the application. 
  • No additional documentation is required for the age exemption.

Students who live with their parents or guardians and commute from their parents or guardians' primary home within a fifty (50) mile radius of Oberlin and have a minimum of six (6) months established residency.

Documentation:

  • Complete the Housing Application and Exemption Sections of the application.
  • Upload to the Housing Application, a copy of the parent/legal guardian’s driver’s license or state-issued identification, showing a matching address and
  • Upload to the Housing Application a copy of utility bills showing the permanent address for six months prior to the date of the request. Legal guardian's name must be on the utility bill. 

Students married by legal commitment and who are married to an individual who is a non-Oberlin student.

Documentation:

  • Complete the Housing Application and Exemption Sections of the application.
  • Upload a copy of the Marriage Certificate by August 15 for upcoming fall semester requests and December 15 for upcoming spring semester request.

Students who are the primary care-giver for an underage, dependent child defined as:

  • the student's child or stepchild;
  • having the same principal residence as the student;
  • under the age of 18 or permanently and totally disabled; and
  • unable to provide more than one-half of their own support.

Documentation:

  • Complete the Housing Application and Exemption Sections of the application.
  • Upload a copy of your most recent year's complete income tax form listing children who were claimed as dependents by the student.

Students enrolled for 5 credit hours or less.

Documentation:

  • Complete the Housing Application and Exemption Sections of the application.
  • Students must provide a copy of the part-time approval form. Exemption will not be granted until after the add/drop period at which time eligibility will be verified.