Off-Campus Housing

Off-Campus Lottery

A limited number of senior students are given permission, through a lottery process, to live off-campus. The off-campus application form for the senior off-campus lottery opens in early February.

Off-Campus Petitions 

Off-campus petitions are available on your Residence Life Self-Service page beginning the day following Room Draw at 10 a.m. The deadline is June 1. 

Students who are not rising seniors (or who are seniors but missed the senior off-campus lottery deadline) must petition to waive the on-campus living requirement in order to live off-campus. Further documentation to support the request may be required. Students are not guaranteed to be approved to live off-campus. Entering first-years and rising sophomores are rarely approved unless requesting a temporary change.

Exceptions are made for students who are married/in a civil union or living at home with parent(s)/legal guardian(s). These students may automatically receive an exemption from the on-campus housing requirement. To receive an automatic waiver please contact the Office of Residence Life at reslife@smith.edu.

Students living at home with their legal guardians must live in one of the following communities. These towns are within a 20-mile radius (driving) of Northampton:

Amherst, Chesterfield, Conway, Cummington, Easthampton, Goshen, Granby, Hadley, Hatfield, Haydenville, Holyoke, North Amherst, Northampton, Pelham, South Deerfield, South Hadley, Southampton, West Chesterfield, Westfield, Westhampton, Whately or Williamsburg.

Returning to On-Campus Living

If you were previously approved to live off-campus and now wish to return to on-campus living, please complete the form below. All students are guaranteed an on-campus assignment at Smith, but Residence Life cannot guarantee a specific house or room placement.
ON-CAMPUS HOUSING REQUEST FORM