Grinnell College is a residential college where all full-time students are required to live in student residences and board with college dining all four years. The number of students granted off-campus permission is determined by projected total enrollment for the upcoming term. Students are not approved to live off-campus until an offer is received from Residence Life.
Exceptions
Exceptions to our residential policy are automatically granted to the very few students who meet one or more of the following criteria:
- are 24 years of age by September 1 (of the upcoming academic year),
- live with their immediate family (parent or guardian) in the Grinnell area,
- are legally married (or legally partnered in a civil union) and live in the Grinnell area, or
- have a child or children who live with them.
To request an exception, contact Residence Life for review. All exception requests must be received by Residence Life on or before the last business day of June.
If you need an exception related to medical accommodations, please contact Accessibility and Disability Resources.
Apply for off-campus housing for your final year at Grinnell
Residence Life allows current and rising seniors to apply to live off campus for their final year at Grinnell. Permission is granted on the basis of seniority and spaces are limited. Students can find the application on the StarRez housing portal (login required).
Off-campus approval must be obtained prior to each fall semester move-in date. Students must have documented approval from Residence Life for off-campus housing prior to signing a lease.
Students approved to live off campus:
- Must live in the Grinnell area.
- Are approved for the entire academic year.
- Must notify Dining Services of their choice of meal plan
- Students who accept an off-campus offer may, at any time, request on-campus residency; however, single room assignments are not guaranteed. Assignments depend on availability.
- Students who decline or cancel their off-campus offer or status must reapply for off-campus permission, regardless of class year.
- Must complete the off-campus agreement via the StarRez housing portal (login required).
Check out our Off Campus Housing Guidelines - Learn What You Need to Know!
Study Abroad/On Leave
Students studying abroad or who are on leave must follow the room-split process for off-campus housing.