The Maryland Institute College of Art housing requirement states that students must reside on campus for two years unless they meet one or more of the exemption criteria outlined below. Housing contracts are binding for the full academic year, or the remainder thereof, and students are required to fulfill this obligation. Students wishing to request an exemption from the housing requirement must provide appropriate documentation to support their request. Requests are not final until they are reviewed and a determination (approved or denied) is made by the Office of Residence Life & Off-Campus Housing. If more information is needed, the student will be notified in writing. Students should allow 14 to 21 business days for initial review and processing.

Housing Exemption Process - PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

Necessary forms:
• Students should complete the below questions and download, complete, and e-mail any remaining forms to residencelife@mica.edu or fax to (410) 225-2372.
• The completed forms will be reviewed for completeness and a determination of whether or not the request will be granted. The student will be notified of the decision in writing.
• If the ruling is not in the student's favor, the student may, within five business days of receiving written notice, request a review of the decision by the Director of Residence Life. The student will be notified of the Director's decision in writing within 14 business days. Appeals must include new information not previously included in your original request for exemption. A review by the Director of Residence Life is not an automatic reversal of the previous decision, and all appeal decisions made by the Director of Residence Life are final.

Exemption Criteria & Supporting Documentation

• COVID-19 Hardship (Fall 2020 / Spring 2021): Any student currently experiencing or who anticipates unique challenges caused by living on-campus due to the COVID-19 pandemic may request an exemption for the Fall 2020 and/or Spring 2021 semester.

• The student is married or a single parent: The student must submit a copy of their marriage certificate or the child’s birth certificate along with a copy of the most recent tax return showing that child as a dependent. The spouse or child must reside with the student within the 30 driving mile radius (described in the commuter exemption) in order to qualify for this exemption.

• The student is commuting: To be eligible to commute to the MICA campus, the student must reside with their parent or legal guardian whose permanent residence is within 30 driving miles of the campus. The address must be the same as the permanent address that was provided on the student’s application for admission, or if the parent / legal guardian and the student have moved since the student applied to the college, verification of ownership / residency must be provided.

• The student entered MICA as a Transfer student: Transfer students are not required to live on campus. Transfer students do not need to complete this form.

• Financial Hardship: Requests for release based upon financial hardship must include documented evidence of extreme financial need by providing copies of the most recent financial aid verification / awards. If the student does not have a FAFSA on file, copies of the most recent federal tax return, evidence of recent employment termination, or evidence of extreme hardship (death of a primary income provider, medical expenses exceeding maximum insurance coverage, etc.) should be provided. This documentation must be accompanied by a completed Financial Information Form. Requests to reside off campus for financial savings are not in and of themselves considered valid for a financial hardship exemption request. Information submitted will be verified with MICA's Financial Aid Office.

• Disability Accommodation: Requests for an exemption to live off-campus as a disability accommodation are handled by MICA's Learning Resource Center. Please visit mica.edu/lrc for more information. If students intend to seek an exemption from the on-campus housing requirement solely through this vehicle it is not necessary to complete this form.

• Other exemptions: Students may also request an exemption for other extenuating circumstances. The student must provide a detailed explanation of their situation and include any pertinent documentation.