So me and my partner are closing on a single family home that we thought we could rent out by the room but I called the zoning department and they said it’s virtually illegal.

There are specific matters that must be addressed in your partnership agreement, especially if the need arises for one party to depart, voluntarily or otherwise.  

I haven't personally done this, but I'd suggest reaching out to the college and see if you can get in touch with the department that heads up the exchange program.

@Jessica PiffJust as an FYI, most (and best to call the local Planning Department to confirm) jurisdictions do not rescind an existing zone application if the work being performed is generally minimal (ie, not adding or removing "conditioned" space).Basically, the existing zoning remains so long as the existing buildings are not torn down.

First, you cannot speak with the actual PM in the area because, from what I understand, she oversees over 500 properties in the STL area.GJ has a centralized nationwide Customer Service Department, which I initially thought would be a great positive. 

You can ask your business banking department about accepting ACH.  

In those cases, you get a dedicated group of servicemembers (often young and without families) all arriving and departing from the area at a single time...which makes for easier leasing and turnover.The way that you're proposing (renting out by the room) would be more management-intensive due to the offset PCS timelines, deployments, etc. 

I have 2 houses right now that we are going to have the fire department burn and I had to do asbestos remediation on both and its cost me 21k.. just for that.  

Visit the website of the town the land is in or call the building department and ask them what the property is zoned for and what you would need to do to put self storage in.

Regarding your first question, check with your town/county's planning and zoning departments.