Student Housing Appeals
The student housing appeals process is for students who will be enrolled but want to request release from the obligations outlined in the student housing contract.
General Information
Requests for release from the student housing contract and exceptions to the residency requirement will not automatically be granted. It is at the discretion of the Student Housing Appeals Committee to determine what constitutes grounds for contract release and exception to the residency requirement. The decision to release a student from the contract or grant an exception to the residency requirement is based on the individual circumstances of each student, and students should not expect appeal outcomes to be the same for every person. Failure to read the student housing contract is not grounds for appeal.
Reasons that students may submit a student housing appeal include, but are not limited to, financial hardship, medical condition(s), living with a relative other than a parent or legal guardian within 60 miles driving distance to Oxford, living in a residence off-campus in Oxford owned by a member of their family.
All decisions made by the committee are final, and there is no further avenue of appeal. It is in your best interest not to ignore or avoid payments to the Office of the Bursar and not to make alternative living arrangements prior to receiving an official decision from the Student Housing Appeals Committee. All communication regarding student housing appeals will be sent via Ole Miss Gmail.
Dates for 2024-25
Pre-fall Appeals: The online form is available from April 1, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. CT to August 9, 2024 at 12:00 p.m. CT. The Student Housing Appeals Committee will meet at the end of each month (April-July) to review submitted appeals. Students will not be asked to meet with the committee unless additional information is required to reach a decision. Students will be notified of the outcome of their appeal via their Ole Miss Gmail within 48 hours of a decision being made. After this deadline, any student who wants to submit a housing appeal for fall semester will have to wait for the Fall Appeals to open.
Fall Appeals: The online form is available from August 28, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. CT to September 12, 2024 at 12:00 p.m. CT. After September 12, 2024 at 12:00pm CT, any student who wants to submit a housing appeal for the 2024-2025 academic year will have to wait for the Pre-spring Appeals to open. Fall appeals will no longer be accepted.
Pre-spring Appeals: The online form is available from October 16, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. CT to November 7, 2024 at 12:00 p.m. CT. After this deadline, any student who wants to submit a housing appeal for the 2024-2025 academic year for spring semester will have to wait for Spring Appeals to open.
Spring Appeals: The online form is available from January 15, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. CT to January 30, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. CT. After January 30, 2025 at 12:00pm CT, housing appeals will no longer be accepted for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Instructions
Submit an online student housing appeal in the Student Housing Portal by selecting Online Forms from the top menu bar.
The student housing appeal will require the student to upload a statement with the following:
- Detailed reason(s) for appeal and explanation of why you believe your circumstances warrant a release from your student housing contract or exception to the residency requirement (i.e. medical condition, financial hardship, family residence located in Oxford, MS, etc.).
- How many semesters you’ve lived on campus.
- If you are an incoming, first-year student: Explanation of how you plan to get involved on campus and make connections with other students.
- If you are a sophomore or upperclassmen: Explanation of how your situation has changed since the contract cancellation deadline (July 1 for the academic year).
Statements submitted by parents or legal guardians will not be considered complete student housing appeals and will not be accepted. Parents or legal guardians may submit a letter of support.
For appeals stating financial hardship only, include the following additional information:
- Comparison of on- and off-campus costs for housing and meals and an explanation of how you will benefit financially by moving off campus.
- How much financial aid you expect to be awarded for fall and spring semesters.
For appeals stating medical conditions only, include the following additional information:
- Information regarding how the medical condition directly affects you living on-campus and an explanation of how you will benefit by living off campus.
- Recommended: A signed letter on letterhead from a licensed physician in the field related to the cited medical condition.
You may also upload a maximum of four supporting documents including but not limited to bills, letters from physicians (signed and on letterhead), a letter of support from a parent or legal guardian, and/or work schedule.
Once you’ve submitted your student housing appeal, it will be initially reviewed and forwarded to the Student Housing Appeals Committee for their review. At that time, a committee meeting will be scheduled to discuss the information provided in your student housing appeal. You may be invited to attend the scheduled committee meeting in person. You will not be expected to attend a scheduled committee meeting in person for Pre-fall appeals in the spring or summer for the following academic year. If you choose not to attend the Student Housing Appeals Committee meeting during the academic year, the committee will make a decision in your absence, using the information provided. All communication regarding student housing appeals will be sent via Ole Miss Gmail.