Lyon College is a primarily residential institution. Living on campus offers students the invaluable opportunity to fully engage with all the College has to offer. It fosters a strong sense of community, which makes it easier to form lasting friendships, take part in campus events, and collaborate academically. Shared living spaces also encourage personal growth, independence, and responsibility. Ultimately, campus living provides a supportive environment that helps students thrive both academically and socially.

Life at Lyon College fosters a respectful, engaged community that supports the College’s academic mission. It promotes student responsibility, self-governance, and accountability while encouraging civility, creativity, and respect for all. Through leadership opportunities and collaborative programs with faculty, staff, and peers, students grow socially, emotionally, physically, spiritually, and ethically.

Students must be enrolled full-time at Lyon College to live in College housing and must be at least 18 years old on or before September 30 of any academic year. Single students between the ages of 18 and 21 are required to live in College housing.

To qualify for an automatic exemption from living in College housing, a student must be 21 years old on or before September 30 of any academic year. Students who are married, veterans, or parents of dependent children are automatically exempt from the housing requirement regardless of age. Students also qualify for an automatic exemption, regardless of age, if they commute from a parent or legal guardian’s home within 45 miles. Students who do not qualify for an automatic exemption may request a special exemption by contacting the Vice President for Student Life & Dean of Students.

A student who is automatically exempt from the Lyon College residency requirement will not lose any financial aid due to off-campus residency. Students who qualify for an automatic exemption must complete the commuter form.

Students who do not qualify for an automatic exemption from the residency requirement and move off campus without being granted a special exemption by the Vice President for Student Life & Dean of Students will forfeit up to 30% of any Lyon institutional scholarship(s) and/or grant(s) they have been awarded.

No binding off-campus commitments (such as signing a lease, purchasing property, etc.) should be made before receiving written notice of special exemption approval. Such arrangements will not override the residence policy.

Housing applications for Fall 2026 students are open! The early bird period runs through May 1. Those who apply during the early bird period have a greater chance of being assigned to the housing of their choice. Students who submit their housing application after the early bird period will be housed according to availability. Summer 2026 applications will be available from March 1 through March 15, 2026.

The housing application includes meal plan options, as all residential students are required to have a meal plan unless a meal plan waiver is granted. Meal plan exemptions are rarely granted. If an exemption is granted, it is usually for medical or religious reasons. Students who wish to request a meal plan exemption should complete the Meal Exemption Form.

For more information about the residence halls, click here. To complete the housing application for the 2026-2027 academic year and Summer 2026, visit lyon.residence.symplicity.com. Log in with your Lyon credentials, select the appropriate housing application, complete the required steps, and submit the application. If you don’t receive a confirmation notification, please contact Student Life.

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Student Life at studentlife@lyon.edu.