Residency Requirements

Because students who live on campus are more engaged in the campus community, perform better academically, and are more likely to utilize campus resources, Queens University of Charlotte has a strict residency requirement. Full-time, enrolled undergraduate students are required to live in campus housing unless they:

• are living with their parent or legal guardian in either Mecklenburg County or a neighboring city/zip code (see section A.)
• are over the age of 24
• are married
• have children living with them

Senior Class Standing

For graduating classes 2023-2025: Students who have lived on campus for three academic years and earned 90 credit hours (senior class standing) before the beginning of the Fall semester will have the eligibility to live off campus.

For graduating classes 2026 and beyond: Students are required to live on campus unless they meet any of the above exceptions. Once a student reaches senior class standing (earned 90 credit hours or more) they are entered into a lottery system to be granted an opportunity to live off campus.

Living Off-Campus Before Senior Status

Occasionally, a student will want to move off campus before they have earned 90 credit hours (Senior status). This statement outlines our beliefs and process.

1. An applicant or student who enrolls as a non-Mecklenburg County resident is presumed to remain a non-resident throughout his or her attendance and does not qualify under any of the residency provisions. The only exception is for students with a primary residency in the following neighboring cities/zip codes: Fort Mill – 29715, 29707; Rock Hill – 29730, 29732; Tega Cay – 29708; Union – 28079; Gastonia – 28056, 28054, 28052; Concord – 28025; Concord – 28027; Harrisburg – 28075; Kannapolis 28081 and 28083; Midland – 28107; Matthews – 28104; Waxhaw – 28173; Monroe – 28110, 28112; Belmont – 28012; Dallas – 28034; Stanley – 28164.
2. If a person asserts that their domicile has been established in Mecklenburg County or one of the approved zip codes listed above, the individual must provide the burden of proof. This information should be provided to the Director of Residence Life & Housing or Associate Director of Residence of & Housing with all the evidence the person believes satisfies the burden of proof. The burden of proof includes:
   • Utility bill is approved permanent address.
     and
   • Driver’s license with approved permanent address.
3. The Director of Residence Life & Housing, along with the Dean of Student, and Student Accounts Office will consider all evidence provided concerning such claim of domicile but will not necessarily regard any single item of evidence as conclusive evidence that domicile has been established.
4. For independent persons or the parent, spouse, or guardian of dependent persons, examples of intent to become a Mecklenburg County, North Carolina resident may include, although any single indicator may not be conclusive, the following indicia:
   1. Statement of full-time employment.
   2. Designating Mecklenburg County, North Carolina as a legal residence on military record.
   3. Possession of a valid North Carolina driver’s license with an address in Mecklenburg County, or if a non-driver, a North Carolina identification card with an address in Mecklenburg County. Failure to obtain this credential within 90 days of the establishment of the intent to become a Mecklenburg County, North Carolina resident will delay the beginning date of residency eligibility until a North Carolina driver’s license is obtained.
   4. Possession of a valid North Carolina vehicle registration card. Failure to obtain this credential within 45 days of the establishment of the intent to become a Mecklenburg County, North Carolina resident will delay the beginning date of residency eligibility until the applicant obtains a North Carolina vehicle registration card.
   5. Maintenance of domicile in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina.
   6. Paying North Carolina income taxes as a Mecklenburg County resident during the past tax year, including income earned outside of North Carolina from the date Mecklenburg County, North Carolina domicile was claimed.
   7. Ownership of principal residence in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina; and
   8. Licensing for professional practice (if applicable) in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina
5. The absence of indicia in other counties, states, and/or countries is required before the student is eligible to claim residency.

Contact Us

Have questions about residency requirements? Please contact Resident Life & Housing (reslife@queens.edu, 704-337-2293).