Sacramento State announced its fall 2026 incoming freshmen will be required to live in university housing for their first two academic years. The university said the new policy is aimed at “student success, community engagement, and academic achievement.”(Video Above: Fall 2025 classes begin at Sacramento State)The upcoming change applies to non-transfer students.Sacramento State noted that there are several exceptions to the new policy, including those age 21 or older by the first day of classes, students considered independent on the FAFSA, active-duty service members, those required to live at their job site (like caregivers), study abroad students, those with demonstrated financial hardship and those with disabilities or medical conditions that cannot be accomodated in student housing. Additional exemptions will also apply to those with local residency. For academic year 2026-27, students who live with immediate family 50 miles or less from campus are exempt. For academic year 2027-28, the residency will shrink to those living within 30 miles of campus.University leadership did note that some students may have unique circumstances. They can apply for an exemption, and that request would be individually reviewed.Sacramento State noted it would have expanded residence options when the new requirement goes into effect. That includes a new residence hall, Mt. Whitney Hall, which is set to open in fall 2026 and provide 335 new beds for first-year students. Riverview Hall will also have an additional 150 single beds converted from upper-division housing. With the new policy, the university also indicated it plans to promote more programming tailored toward first and second-year students, aiming to build a sense of belonging. Within the past year, Sacramento State has made several moves geared toward future growth, including furthering its work toward a new stadium and opening the Wileety Native American College. In February, university leaders also announced they were considering expanding their campus near the Capitol. See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

SACRAMENTO, Calif. —

Sacramento State announced its fall 2026 incoming freshmen will be required to live in university housing for their first two academic years.

The university said the new policy is aimed at “student success, community engagement, and academic achievement.”

(Video Above: Fall 2025 classes begin at Sacramento State)

The upcoming change applies to non-transfer students.

Sacramento State noted that there are several exceptions to the new policy, including those age 21 or older by the first day of classes, students considered independent on the FAFSA, active-duty service members, those required to live at their job site (like caregivers), study abroad students, those with demonstrated financial hardship and those with disabilities or medical conditions that cannot be accomodated in student housing.

Additional exemptions will also apply to those with local residency. For academic year 2026-27, students who live with immediate family 50 miles or less from campus are exempt. For academic year 2027-28, the residency will shrink to those living within 30 miles of campus.

University leadership did note that some students may have unique circumstances. They can apply for an exemption, and that request would be individually reviewed.

Sacramento State noted it would have expanded residence options when the new requirement goes into effect. That includes a new residence hall, Mt. Whitney Hall, which is set to open in fall 2026 and provide 335 new beds for first-year students. Riverview Hall will also have an additional 150 single beds converted from upper-division housing.

With the new policy, the university also indicated it plans to promote more programming tailored toward first and second-year students, aiming to build a sense of belonging.

Within the past year, Sacramento State has made several moves geared toward future growth, including furthering its work toward a new stadium and opening the Wileety Native American College. In February, university leaders also announced they were considering expanding their campus near the Capitol.

See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel