EDGE First-Year Experience

Halls

280

Program events

Peer Mentors

Resident Assistants

Resident directors

450

Students

First-Year Experience

Designed to help you succeed.

The First-Year Experience program, housed in the Department of Residence Life, aims to exemplify the very best in student-centered learning and scholarly teaching for all new college students. Our professional live-in staff focus steadfastly on promoting student success by providing entering students with supports and cultivates student development through the transition period between previous learning experiences and college. Our Peer Mentors, Resident Assistants, and Resident Directors help students learn how to build the foundation for a successful and enjoyable college life, culminating in graduation.

Learn more about our annual fall move-in event

What's a part of the EDGE experience?

Students who live on campus are more likely to graduate

(According to the American Council on Education)

aerial fall photo of Fairbanks lower campus

Why live on campus?

Get the whole package of college life

We are the University of Alaska Fairbanks

Inspiring great people to do great things.

You've got skills to master, records to set and discoveries to make. Here, you'll forge friendships to last a lifetime and ideas to change the world. We believe extraordinary people don't live ordinary lives. We invite you to explore the possibilities of the Last Frontier -- where inspiration is around every bend, independence is championed and adventure is inevitable.

First-year students live on campus

All incoming first-year undergraduate students are required to live on campus. The live-on requirement is a commitment between the undergraduate students and the University of Alaska Fairbanks to enhance the students' experience and success. Living on campus for at least the first year is a significant advantage as you will be part of a community and make connections to other students, faculty, and staff. Living on campus also connects you to services that support you as you transition to college life at UAF. If you are a first-year undergraduate student enrolled in 9 credits or more, under the age of 21, and not planning to live locally with your parent(s)/legal guardian as specified below, you are required to live in a UAF residence hall for one academic year (fall/spring not including summer and winter breaks). If you are a UAF student receiving a scholarship specifically for room/board, you are required to live on campus as specified in the stipulations of the award or conditions of the program. Incoming spring transfer students who are still in their first matriculated year are required to live in a university residence hall and carry a traditional meal plan for the spring semester. All undergraduate International students in their first year of study in the United States are required to live on campus their first year. Requests for permission to reside off-campus for other reasons are considered on their own merit, taking into account individual circumstances.

Deadline for exemptions to first-year live on requirement for Fall 2019 is July 31, 2019. The University of Alaska Fairbanks recognizes that exceptions to the live on requirement may be appropriate in certain circumstances. Students can request an exception to the live-on requirement online on their UAOnline account. Those seeking an exemption must meet one or more of the following criteria, subject to validation. Other exceptions not listed below will also be considered on a case-by-case basis:

Student is married, in a registered domestic partnership or civil union.
Student is a parent with custody of a child or children or caring for a dependent who is living with them.
Student is living with immediate family or legal guardian. Parent(s), sibling(s), or grandparent(s) are the only individuals that qualify as immediate family. Immediate family or legal guardian must also live within a 40-mile radius of campus.
Student has extenuating circumstances.
Credits are 100% eCampus.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

CLICK ON A QUESTION TO SEE THE ANSWER

What about families who own property in the Fairbanks area, but don’t live at the property, could the student live there rather than living on campus?

To qualify for an exemption to the live-on requirement, a student must live with the parent or legal guardian.

What constitutes as a legal guardian?

The student must be a dependent of the parent or legal guardian to qualify to live with them within a 40-mile radius of campus.

If I qualify for an exemption what do I need to do?

Fill out an exception on UAOnline and wait for confirmation that the exemption has been granted.

Can I apply for an exception even if my reason is not listed on the website?

Yes, each case is individually reviewed and all students are able to apply for an exemption.

UAF facts and figures

Virtual tour

Explore UAF by taking a virtual tour. See 360s, photos and maps to help get acquainted with our Fairbanks campus. Our online guided tour helps you see the UAF campus at any time, from any location. Student guides lead you through the places they live and learn, including dorm rooms, classrooms, the Rasmuson Library, the Wood Center Student Union and much more.

Welcome to UAF video

Welcoming new students to UAF at Rev-it-Up that provides all the information new students need - from photo ID cards to IT connection services. Then followed by orientation full of evenings of team building, friend making and getting settled into a new life at college. Click on the photo to view the Welcome Video.

Department of Residence Life