Contact the Residency Classification Office
Arizona Residency for Tuition Purposes
General Information
Arizona’s public universities are supported by Arizona taxpayers; the lower resident tuition rate reflects their contributions. Residency classification policy is defined by the Arizona Board of Regents according to Arizona State law.
Non-resident students may petition for reclassification. Cases are individually reviewed. There are no hardship exceptions.
If you wish to discuss your circumstances or eligibility, contact our office.
Procedures, Forms, & Deadlines Exceptions
Independent Student Residency Criteria
Students submitting the Independent Student Residency Reclassification Petition must provide evidence they meet the following criteria:
1. Twelve Months Physical Presence Accordion Closed
The Student must provide convincing evidence they have been continuously physically present in Arizona for the 12 months prior to the term in question. You must be at least 18 years old at the beginning of this 12 months (unless you are a legally emancipated minor).
If the student leaves Arizona for 30 days or more, they must provide evidence that they maintained Arizona domicile in their absence.
2. Intent to Establish Domicile Accordion Closed
Arizona residency is demonstrated by severing ties to your former state. This must be completed at the beginning of the 12 month period and be maintained throughout. If severance is delayed, the start of your 12 month period will also be delayed.
This must be paired with evidence showing domicile in Arizona beyond the purpose of being a student. Presence in Arizona alone does not mean a student is a Resident.
State law indicates no individual has established residency for tuition purposes while attending as a full-time student. State law also indicates that a non-resident student’s presence in Arizona is for education, not to establish domicile. You must provide evidence proving otherwise. Future plans in Arizona are not heavily considered; evidence showing how you’ve already established domicile is required.
Essentially, those who come to Arizona for education will not qualify as a resident under this policy.
Required documentation includes, but is not limited to:
- Arizona driver’s license or State ID card issued at least 12 months ago
- Arizona vehicle registration
- Arizona voter registration
- Education records for any Arizona institutions attended
- Mortgage or Deed or Lease for your current and previous Arizona residences
- Proof of Employment in Arizona
- Federal and Arizona state income taxes
- Full and complete banking and/or credit card statements
- Eligible immigration (visa) status if you are a non-citizen
3. Financial Independence Accordion Closed
The Student must be financially self-supporting and not claimed as a dependent child by anyone on federal or state taxes for the most recent tax year. Financial independence means that you cover your own expenses (tuition, housing, meals, transportation, etc.) from self-generated funds that you have full control of.
Parent PLUS loans, co-signed Private Student Loans, and significant gifts are not acceptable forms of income. The account holder of the student’s Auto and Health Insurance policies are considered.
Students under the age of 24 are assumed to be financially dependent on their parents regardless of how taxes are filed; they must provide convincing evidence proving otherwise.
Required documentation includes, but is not limited to:
- Employment Paystubs
- W-2s
- Full and complete banking and/or credit card statements
- Financial aid records
- Documented inheritance
- Veteran or Social Security Benefits
- Trust Funds
- Insurance settlements
- Federal and Arizona State income tax
Complete and submit the Independent Student Residency Reclassification Petition found on the Procedures, Forms, & Deadlines page if you are seeking reclassification as a Resident based on meeting the above criteria.
Explore exceptions to these policies
Additional Information
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Students Accordion Closed
The April 2018 Arizona Supreme Court decision ruled that federal and state law do not allow in-state tuition benefits to DACA recipients. Read the press release.
Given the recent Arizona Supreme Court decision prohibiting Maricopa County Community College District from granting in-state tuition to Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) students, the Arizona Board of Regents immediately determined that it could no longer interpret its policies to offer in-state tuition to DACA students. NAU will follow the law and will continue to monitor the matter.
DACA students that graduated from an Arizona High School may be eligible for the reduced non-resident Tuition Rate for Arizona High School Graduates. Read more below.
Non-resident Tuition Rate for Arizona High School Graduates Accordion Closed
The August 2019 ABOR policy update clarified that DACA students can be eligible for this reduced tuition rate. Read the press release.
An Undergraduate non-resident student who graduated from an Arizona high school, but is not otherwise eligible for resident tuition, will be eligible for this reduced rate of 150% of undergraduate resident tuition, if the following conditions are met:
- The student has attended high school in Arizona for a minimum of three years, while also physically present in Arizona,
- The student graduated from an Arizona high school (or attained the equivalent while physically present in Arizona for a minimum of three years)
This tuition does not apply to Graduates, or differential tuition, or tuition for online, accelerated, or distributed programs.
Procedure to apply for this tuition rate
- Complete and submit the Non-Resident Arizona High School Graduate Tuition Rate Application.