Two-Year Residency Requirement

Rider University’s Two-Year Residency Requirement was established to support student success and holistic development. Living on campus allows students to fully access the campus facilities, programs, and resources that are intentionally built to support them from their first year through the entirety of their college experience. Research and institutional experience consistently show that students who live on campus are more likely to:

• develop a strong sense of belonging within the campus community;
• build meaningful friendships and social networks;
• engage more actively in student organizations and co-curricular opportunities;
• form stronger connections with faculty and staff;
• expand their awareness and appreciation of diverse perspectives; and
• persist toward and complete their degree within four years.

First and Second Year Students

Full-time, unmarried undergraduate students under the age of 21 who have completed fewer than 54 credit hours are required to live in university housing. An exception is made for students who commute from a parent or legal guardian’s permanent residence located within 40 miles of Rider University’s campus.

Students may be exempt from the Two-Year Residency Requirement under the following circumstances:
• The student will commute from a parent or legal guardian’s permanent residence located within 40 miles of campus.
• The student is 21 years of age or older at the start of the academic term in which the residency requirement would otherwise apply.
• The student is married or is part of a legal domestic partnership.
• The student has completed 54 or more credit hours at Rider University or another accredited college or university.
• The student has resided in university housing for at least four semesters.
• Fifty percent or more of the students enrolled credit hours are delivered in an online format.

Students exempt from the Two-Year Residence Requirement must complete the Residency Requirement Waiver Form by log in to the myRider Portal, open the Housing Application, and
complete the form. This confirms your plan for the upcoming academic year only.

Reminder: you must live at your primary residence. Other off-campus addresses are not permitted.
 

40-mile radius:
The 40-mile radius is determined by the student’s permanent mailing address or their parent or guardian’s residence, based on the ZIP code documented in the Housing Portal.

If you have any questions or need assistance, contact reslife@rider.edu or 609-896-5057.