Housing Policy

First-Year Residency Requirement

Adjust, stay connected, and do well in your first year.

At UMF, all first-year students have to live on campus if they’re taking 12 or more credits and have fewer than 24 college credits after high school.

Why? Because living on campus helps you succeed. You’ll make friends, join clubs, go to events, and have easy access to things like tutoring and wellness support.

Plus, each dorm has Community Assistants (CAs)—they’re friendly student leaders who plan events and help you get settled into college life.

Living On-Campus at UMF

Living on campus offers students a supportive, connected, and enriching college experience.

With a variety of residence halls and living options, students enjoy the convenience of being steps away from classes, dining, campus events, and resources like the library and fitness center.

From themed housing communities to gender-inclusive options, UMF provides a welcoming environment that encourages personal growth, academic success, and a true sense of belonging.

First Year Campus Residency Requirement

If you’re a first-year, full-time student at UMaine Farmington, you have to live on campus.

  • Starting in Summer? You live on campus for Fall and Spring.

  • Starting in Fall? You live on campus for Fall and Spring.

  • Starting in Spring? You live on campus for Spring only.

Basically, first-year students are expected to live in the dorms for their first semesters.

Need to Live Off Campus? Here’s How to Request a Waiver

UMF expects first-year students to live on campus, but if you have a good reason not to, you can apply for a waiver.

Here’s what you need to do:

  1. Make sure you qualify under one of the allowed reasons (listed on the form).

  2. Fill out a housing application first—it’s on your new student checklist in myCampus.

  3. Submit the Request for Waiver Form (it’s a Google Form).

  4. Include any documents that help explain your situation.

Once you submit it, you’ll get a confirmation email. If you don’t get that email, contact UMF Student Housing to double-check.

Waiver Form

Gender-Inclusive Housing: Room with Whoever Makes You Feel at Home

UMF offers gender-inclusive housing, so students 18+ can live with roommates of any gender—if both people agree and fill out a form.

New students can request this on their Housing Application and list a preferred roommate.

Returning students can pick gender-inclusive rooms during housing selection.

If your roommate moves out mid-year, you can choose a new one or be matched with someone of the same gender.

It’s all about creating a supportive space for all gender identities.