Below is a roundup of the various policies pertaining to student living at Alvernia University. If you have a question about something that isn't listed here, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions page or contact the Office of Residence Life at reslife@alvernia.edu.
Petition to Commute and Housing Release Request Updates for 2025-26
- Four-Year Residency Requirement
- Beginning with students entering in 2024-25 academic year there is a four-year residency requirement at Alvernia University.
- We are delighted to welcome you to our vibrant academic community and are pleased to offer you housing in our on-campus residence for the upcoming academic years. Please carefully review the terms and conditions outlined in the housing contract.
- Alvernia University (“the University”) recognizes the critical role that a supportive living environment plays in the overall success and well-being of its students. In an effort to enhance the academic and personal growth of our students, the University adheres to a four-year housing agreement for eligible students. University-owned residence hall housing is guaranteed to first-year students who participate in established housing processes, assuring that deadlines are met. University-owned residence halls for all remaining eligible students are based on the availability of spaces.
- Returning students may seek an exemption from the four-year housing requirement by submitting the Petition to Commute Form in the ARC Portal to the Office of Residence Life. The form should include a detailed explanation of the reason for the request and any supporting documentation.
- Incoming first-year students should indicate their request to commute via their incoming application to Alvernia.
Petition to Commute for Incoming New and Transfer Students
Incoming new students will submit their request to commute through their New Student Checklist found in their application portal. Incoming new students who meet the following criteria may be exempt from the housing requirements:
- Housing Requirement Exemptions
- Commuter student: Residing with parent(s) or guardian, within 40-mile radius of campus (Required Information: Must provide documentation and parent/guardian address)
- Off-campus/Commuter student: Residing in own residence (apartment or home on own, with roommate(s) or with spouse/significant other), within a 40-mile radius of campus (Required Information: Must provide documentation and off-campus address)
- Responsible for dependent child
- Age 23 or older
- Married
- Completed 90 or more academic credits
- Need for special accommodations for medical reasons that Alvernia is unable to meet
- Petition to Commute for Returning Students
- Returning students should submit their petition to commute for the upcoming academic year via the ARC Portal Petition to Commute Form.
- A petition does not guarantee approval to live off campus. Students must meet the requirements to receive approval.
- All returning students requesting an exemption from the residential requirement must complete this petition and provide the required documentation and will subsequently be notified of the University’s decision.
- Petitions to Commute must be submitted via this ARC Portal by April 4.
- Petitions to commute for returning students are considered for the following reasons:
- Commuter student: Residing with parent(s) or guardian, within 40-mile radius of campus: Choosing this option will likely have Financial Aid Consequences. Please consult with SFS (SFS@alvernia.edu) before choosing this option. (Required Information: Must provide documentation and parent/guardian address)
- Off-campus/Commuter student: Residing in own residence (apartment or home on own, with roommate(s) or with spouse/significant other), within a 40-mile radius of campus: Choosing this option will likely have Financial Aid Consequences. Please consult with SFS (SFS@alvernia.edu) before choosing this option. (Required Information: Must provide documentation and off-campus address)
Responsible for dependent child: (Required Information: Must provide documentation) - Age 23 or older (this will be verified)
- Married (Required Information: Must provide documentation)
- Completed 90 or more academic credits
- Need for special accommodations for medical reasons that Alvernia is unable to meet: (Required Information: Student must provide approval from a meeting with the Director of Accessibility Services to receive permission to be granted the Petition to Commute. Contact that office at Accessibility.services@alvernia.edu before you submit this release request.)
- Change in financial status since the signing of the housing contract: (If you choose this option, you will need to provide documentation regarding changes in your family’s financial circumstances that make affording on-campus housing difficult, such as a job loss, change of income, medical issues, additional individuals added to the household who may now be your family’s financial responsibility. Please provide a detailed explanation of your request for our office to review and decide on your request. Students should submit their documentation ASAP.)
- Will no longer be enrolled as a full-time student. (Please note ORL will verify this information)
- Will become an AU Online student (Please note ORL will verify this information)
- Graduating (will need to indicate intended graduation date. Please note ORL will verify this information)
- Participation in an Alvernia University academic experience (study abroad, field placement, etc.)
If you believe you have a reason other than what is listed here, please provide documentation and an explanation.
Requests to be Released from Housing Contract (For Students Living on Campus with a signed housing contract)
By creating a housing application in ARC, you have signed and agreed to live on campus with housing and meal charges for the entire academic year. If your circumstances have changed and you meet the requirements, please complete the Housing Release Request Form in your ARC account. Once there, in the left column navigate to Forms, and Housing Release Request. Students approved to be released from their housing contract during the fall or spring semester will not receive a prorated portion of their housing charges, but may receive a prorated portion of their remaining meal plan.
- Valid Reasons to be Released from a Housing Contract
Releases are only approved for these reasons:- University-approved OT/PT/Nursing internship further than 20 miles from campus.
- Required Information: must provide placement name and location.
- Required Information: must provide placement name and location.
- Will no longer be enrolled as a full-time student.
- Please note ORL will verify this information.
- Please note ORL will verify this information.
- Will become an AU Online student.
- Please note ORL will verify this information.
- Please note ORL will verify this information.
- Need for special accommodations for medical reasons that Alvernia is unable to meet.
- Required Information: Student must upload approval from a meeting with the Director of Accessibility Services to receive permission to be released. Contact accessibility.services@alvernia.edu before you submit release request.
- Required Information: Student must upload approval from a meeting with the Director of Accessibility Services to receive permission to be released. Contact accessibility.services@alvernia.edu before you submit release request.
- University-approved student teaching experience further than 20 miles from campus.
- Required Information: must provide placement name and location.
- Required Information: must provide placement name and location.
- University-approved study abroad or off-campus academic program.
- Required Information: must provide placement name and location.
- Required Information: must provide placement name and location.
- Change in marital status.
- Birth/acquirement of a dependent.
- Age 23 or older.
- Change in financial status since signing the housing contract. Commuter student: Residing with parent(s) or guardian, within 40-mile radius of campus.
- Required Information: Must upload documentation and parent/guardian address.
- If you choose this option, you will need to upload documentation for Student Financial Services to review regarding changes in your family’s financial circumstances that make affording on campus housing difficult, such as a job loss, change of income, medical issues, additional individuals added to the household who may now be your family’s financial responsibility. Please upload a detailed explanation of your request for SFS review and decide on your request.
- Change in financial status since signing of the housing contract. Off-campus/Commuter student: Residing in own residence (apartment or home on own, with roommate(s) or with spouse/significant other), within a 40-mile radius of campus.
- Required Information: Must upload documentation and parent/guardian address.
- If you choose this option, you will need to upload documentation for Student Financial Services to review regarding changes in your family’s financial circumstances that make affording on campus housing difficult, such as a job loss, change of income, medical issues, additional individuals added to the household who may now be your family’s financial responsibility. Please upload a detailed explanation of your request for SFS review and decide on your request.
- Other Reasons not listed above. Please upload detailed documentation/explanation to support your request.
- University-approved OT/PT/Nursing internship further than 20 miles from campus.
- How to Complete the Request
If you believe you are eligible to be released from your housing contract based on the information above, you may proceed to complete the request:- Log into the ARC system. Once there, in the left column navigate to Forms, and Housing Release Request.
- Complete the Housing Release Request Form prompts and choose your reason.
- Choose Today as your date to be release.
- Complete all prompts and click Submit.
- If you chose “Change in financial status since signing of housing contract” as your reason for release you must submit the appropriate documentation to SFS as described above and in the Release Request Form as soon as possible to avoid delays in processing.
- The ORL will receive your request and distribute it to the appropriate offices for approval. We are committed to providing you with a decision or an update within five business days of your request.
Room Change Policy
Although we try to accommodate student housing preferences, occasionally our residents will find themselves unhappy with their room assignment. While our goal in the Office of Residence Life is to provide our residents with developmental opportunities in all capacities, we understand that sometimes a room change is warranted.
Meal Plan Policy (Updated March 2025)
All resident students are required to participate in the University’s food service program. All first-year residents must participate in the full 19-meal plan or the 14-meal plan during their first year. The student is allowed to change their meal plan beginning on the first day of classes of each semester and ending by the last day of the drop/add period. Commuter students and staff may purchase a commuter meal plan or pay cash. Read the meal plan policy.
