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Two-Year Residency Requirement

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Have Questions?

Residence Life Office Hours
Monday - Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Email: [email protected]
Phone: 609-896-5057

For Incoming First-Year Students (effective Fall 2025)

At Rider University, we are dedicated to providing an enriching and supportive living and learning environment for all students. To promote student success both inside and outside the classroom, Rider requires students to either commute from home or live on campus during their first two years of study, with limited exceptions. 

This residency requirement is grounded in research demonstrating that students who live on campus during their first two years:

  • Earn higher grades and are more likely to graduate on time.
  • Build stronger relationships with peers, faculty, and staff.
  • Engage more deeply in campus activities and leadership opportunities.

Important Notice for New Students: 

Whether you intend to commute OR live on campus, you must notify Rider University of your living arrangements. 

Please select an option below and follow the instructions carefully: 

Option 1: Commute from Your Primary Residence: 
  • If you plan to live at home with a parent/legal guardian, you must complete the Two-Year Residency Requirement form in the housing application. This is a one-time form that confirms your intent to commute for both your first and second years. Visit the new student housing process for information on how to access the housing application through your myRider portal.
  • Note: Commuting students must live at their primary residence. Living at other off-campus addresses is NOT permitted under this policy.
Option 2: Live in Campus Housing: 
  • If you are not commuting from your primary residence, you are required to live in one of Rider’s residence halls for your first two years as a student (freshman and sophomore years). On-campus living offers convenience, access to resources, and a vibrant community to support your transition to college life. 
  • To secure your place on campus, submit your housing deposit and complete the new student housing process. Participation in a meal plan is also required for all residential students.

New student housing process

Approved Residency Requirement exemptions:

  • First-year students requesting a Residency Requirement waiver due to a disability, medical condition or other special needs must submit their documentation to the Office of Student Accessibility and Support Services (SASS) and receive approval for accommodations. Students should complete the Two-Year Residency Requirement form within the housing application to formally request an exemption. If you plan to seek a waiver, please email Residence Life at [email protected] for further guidance.
  • Transfer, continuing education, exchange and graduate students are exempt from this policy and not required to live on campus, but are encouraged to do so to enhance their academic experience. 

Students found in violation of the residency requirement will be subject to penalties as part of Rider’s housing policy enforcement.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

You can view housing and dining rates on the Rider website.

Living on campus offers many benefits to new students! Being on-campus supports academic success through convenient access to faculty, classes, library resources and support services, and greater involvement in activities. Campus living also fosters personal growth, helping students develop independence, time management, and leadership skills. Student success at Rider is 3% higher for students who choose to live on campus and national studies indicate that these factors contribute positively to student persistence and timely graduation.

Students living on campus benefit from a range of support services, including community assistants (CAs), 24/7 campus security for safety, and convenient access to academic support such as tutoring and advising. Health and wellness services provide medical care and counseling, while dining services offer nutritious meals and dietary accommodations. Students with disabilities, medical conditions or other special needs can also request accommodations.

If you wish to live off-campus as a freshman or sophomore, you are required to commute from your primary residence. Rider University's policy requires first- and second-year undergraduate students who are not living at home to reside in university residence halls and participate in a meal plan. This means you cannot live with friends in off-campus apartments or similar arrangements. Students who do not comply with this policy will face penalties. 

If you have a valid reason for an exemption, you may request a waiver. To do so, log into myRider and navigate to the housing portal. Complete the Two-Year Residency Requirement form in the housing application. Each request will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. 

Rider’s Campus Connection Grant is designed to assist students in covering housing expenses and is part of a student’s overall financial aid package. To be considered for the Campus Connection Grant, students need to apply to Rider and submit the FAFSA.

Transfer, continuing education, exchange and graduate students are exempt from this policy and not required to live on campus, but are encouraged to do so to enhance their academic experience. 

If you have a valid reason for an exemption, you may request a waiver. To do so, log into myRider and navigate to the housing portal. Complete the Two-Year Residency Requirement form in the housing application. Each request will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. 

Students and families can request exemptions for a disability, medical condition or other special circumstances. 

If you have a valid reason for an exemption, you may request a waiver. To do so, log into myRider and navigate to the housing portal. Complete the Two-Year Residency Requirement form in the housing application. Each request will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. 

If you have any questions or need assistance, contact [email protected] or 609-896-5057.

Residence Life and Housing

  • Residence Halls
  • Campus Living Guide
  • Specialty Housing
  • MCCC Student Housing
  • Housing Calendar: Openings & Closings
  • Move-In Dates and Information
  • New Student Housing Process
  • Returning Student Housing Process
  • Two-Year Residency Requirement
  • Housing and Dining Rates
  • Employment Opportunities
  • Vision, Values and Mission
  • Meet the Staff
Have Questions?

Residence Life Office Hours
Monday - Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Email: [email protected]
Phone: 609-896-5057

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Rider University
2083 Lawrenceville Road
Lawrenceville, NJ 08648

Main: 609-896-5000
Admissions: 800-257-9026

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