
George Washington University requires first- and second-year students to live on campus, unless they are approved for an exemption. The university offers various residence halls, from traditional halls to apartment-style living, that promote belonging, student success, personal growth, and shared community. However, due to the expenses of on-campus housing, thousands of undergraduate students opt to live off-campus. Students can find off-campus housing options near GW through the Office of Off-Campus Student Affairs, with many living across D.C., Maryland, and Virginia.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Residence halls | Provide environments that promote belonging, student success, personal growth, and shared community |
| Residence halls | Range from traditional halls to apartment-style living |
| On-campus housing requirement | First- and second-year students must reside on campus unless they are approved for an exemption |
| On-campus housing requirement | Third-year students are not required to live on campus |
| On-campus housing requirement | Exemptions approved will remain in effect for the remainder of a student's time as an undergraduate |
| On-campus housing cost | About $1,600 per month |
| On-campus housing cost | $7,000 per semester including dining plans |
| Off-campus housing cost | $1,500-$2,000 per month, not including utilities |
| Off-campus housing locations | Across D.C., in Maryland, and in Virginia |
| Housing support | Office of Off-Campus Student Affairs provides information to help students find housing |
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What You'll Learn
- First- and second-year students must live on campus unless they are exempt
- Students can apply for exemptions to live off-campus
- Students can live in residence halls or apartments on campus
- Graduate, law, medical, and professional students cannot live on campus
- Students can find off-campus housing options through GW Off-Campus Student Affairs

First- and second-year students must live on campus unless they are exempt
At George Washington University, first- and second-year students are required to live on campus unless they are approved for an exemption. Students who believe they meet at least one of the seven exemption criteria and wish to live off-campus may apply for an exemption, although there is no guarantee that it will be approved. Exemptions, once approved, remain in effect for the remainder of a student's time as an undergraduate unless they are relinquished.
Students who intend to request an exemption should begin preparing the required documentation, and can submit their application via their GW Home Portal between April 28 and July 1. Students on the waitlist for on-campus accommodation typically receive an assignment by the end of July. There is no separate housing deposit required, but after the deadline, a $1,000 cancellation fee will be charged according to the university's housing guidelines.
There are various residence halls available for students to live in on campus, which aim to promote belonging, student success, personal growth, and a shared community. Residence halls offer traditional or apartment-style living, and students are eligible to live in them based on their class year and when they were admitted to the university as an undergraduate. From the top few floors of many of the residence halls, you can see the Washington Monument and the United States Capitol Building.
Students who are not required to live on campus can explore off-campus housing options via GW Off-Campus Student Affairs. Thousands of undergraduate students at George Washington University opt to live off-campus every year, with many seeking more affordable housing options in areas like Foggy Bottom and Georgetown.
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Students can apply for exemptions to live off-campus
The George Washington University requires all first- and second-year students to live on campus unless they are approved for a residency exemption. Students who intend to request an exemption should begin to prepare the documentation required for exemption requests. Exemptions that are approved will remain in effect for the remainder of a student's time as an undergraduate student at GW, unless relinquished to allow a student to live on campus if desired.
First-year students who believe they meet one of the seven criteria and want to live off-campus may apply for an exemption. Rising second-year students can also request an exemption, but exemption requests must be submitted by February 19 to be considered.
There are many reasons students at George Washington University might choose to live off-campus. For example, students can have their own kitchen and cook big meals for their friends. They can also have pets, which is not usually allowed in dorm rooms. Living off-campus also means students can decorate their living space as they like and express their style.
Additionally, the Foggy Bottom neighborhood, where George Washington University is located, is a wonderful place to live. It is safe and close to the National Mall and its monuments, and there are many excellent restaurants and shopping options nearby. The area also has the best public transportation in the nation, with the Foggy Bottom Metro Station just a minute's walk away.
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Students can live in residence halls or apartments on campus
At George Washington University, students can live in residence halls or apartments on campus. The university requires all first- and second-year students to reside on campus unless they are approved for an exemption. Exemptions are typically granted based on seven criteria and remain in effect for the student's undergraduate studies unless they are relinquished.
Residence halls at George Washington University promote a sense of belonging, student success, personal growth, and shared community. They offer both traditional residence halls and apartment-style living options. Students are eligible based on their class year and year of admission as undergraduates. From the top floors of many residence halls, residents can enjoy views of the Washington Monument and the United States Capitol Building. Students are encouraged to actively participate in their residential community by attending events and can also take on leadership roles within the Residence Hall Association (RHA) and National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH).
While on-campus housing is typically reserved for first- and second-year students, some upper-class students may also choose to remain on campus. However, due to the high costs of on-campus housing, thousands of undergraduate students opt to live off-campus each year. Students seeking off-campus housing can explore options in the surrounding areas of Foggy Bottom, Georgetown, and beyond. The Office of Off-Campus Student Affairs provides resources and information to assist students in finding suitable off-campus accommodations.
Additionally, graduate students at George Washington University often seek housing near the campus, taking advantage of its central location in Washington, D.C. With easy access to metro stations and bus stops, graduate students can live across D.C., Maryland, or Virginia while still being within commuting distance of the university. Various rentals are available near the campus, offering studio to multi-bedroom options to meet different student needs and preferences.
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Graduate, law, medical, and professional students cannot live on campus
At George Washington University, graduate, law, medical, and professional students cannot live on campus. The university offers housing only to first- and second-year undergraduate students, and that too if they haven't been approved for an exemption to the residency requirement. Exemptions are typically granted based on seven criteria, and once approved, they remain in effect for the remainder of the student's time as an undergraduate.
Graduate students at George Washington University can benefit from the university's central location in Washington, DC. The university is easily accessible via metro stations and bus stops, allowing students to live across DC, Maryland, and Virginia. The closest metro stations are the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Washington Dulles International Airport, and Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport.
Students seeking housing near the university can explore options via the GW Off-Campus Student Affairs office, which provides resources to help students find housing. The Center for Student Engagement is another useful resource for graduate students looking for off-campus housing.
Thousands of undergraduate students at George Washington University opt to live off-campus, often due to the high costs of on-campus housing. Students can expect to pay around $1,600 per month for on-campus accommodation, while off-campus options may offer more affordable alternatives. For example, a townhouse in Georgetown can cost about $2,000 per month, excluding utilities.
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Students can find off-campus housing options through GW Off-Campus Student Affairs
The George Washington University requires all first- and second-year students to live on campus unless they are approved for an exemption. Students following their second year were not required to file a housing exemption to live off-campus for the 2024-2025 academic year. Students who intend to request an exemption should begin to prepare the required documentation. Exemptions, once approved, will remain in effect for the remainder of a student's time as an undergraduate unless relinquished.
The Office of Off-Campus Student Affairs provides information to help students find housing. Students can also refer to the GW Off-Campus website, which provides a list of apartments for rent near the university. The website includes the distance from the university, the number of beds, and the price range.
Students seeking off-campus housing may do so due to the high costs of on-campus accommodation. For example, one student paid about $7,000 per semester for their on-campus dorm, while another paid about $1,600 per month.
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Frequently asked questions
No, only first- and second-year students are required to live on campus unless they are approved for an exemption.
You can apply for an exemption via your GW Home Portal. You should also begin to prepare the documentation required to support your request.
You can find off-campus housing options near GW via the GW Off-Campus Student Affairs office.
The residence halls at George Washington University vary from traditional halls to apartment-style living. Students are encouraged to get involved with their residential community by attending events and serving as student leaders.
On-campus housing costs about $1,600 per month, while off-campus housing can range from $1,500 to $2,000 per month, not including utility costs.













