Arizona Residency for Tuition Purposes
General Information
Arizona institutions of higher education are funded by the State of Arizona. Non-resident students generally have not contributed to the source of funding for public education in Arizona; as such they are required to pay a non-resident tuition rate that more closely represents the actual cost of their education.The rules and regulations for establishing residency for tuition purposes are defined by the Arizona Board of Regents, according to Arizona state statutes ARS 15-1801 through 1807.
Non-resident students may petition for re-classification as a Resident by submitting a residency petition or affidavit within the deadline. Each case is individually reviewed.
If you wish to discuss your circumstances before submitting a petition or affidavit, please contact our office.
Independent Student Residency Criteria
When submitting the Independent Student Residency Reclassification Petition, the student must provide evidence that they meet the following criteria:
1. Physical Presence Accordion Closed
The Student must provide clear and convincing evidence of continuous physical presence in the state of Arizona for the 12 months prior to the term in question. The 12 month period is referred to as a domicile year. You must be at least 18 at the beginning of the domicile year.
This presence must be coupled with clear and convincing evidence of intent to establish a domicile in Arizona beyond the purpose of being a student. Mere presence of a person in this state does not, by itself, constitute domicile. There is a presumption that no individual has established residency for tuition purposes in Arizona while also attending an education institution. You must provide evidence that you have overcome this presumption during your 12 months of physical presence.
2. Intent to establish a Domicile Accordion Closed
Your evidence of intent to be a resident of this state is demonstrated by the absence and severance of ties to your former state of residence. Actions must be accomplished at the beginning of the domicile year, and be maintained throughout the year.
If these steps are delayed, the start of your one year domicile period will also be delayed accordingly. All requirements must be demonstrated for one full year before resident status may be granted.
Samples of required documentation include:
- Arizona driver’s license or state identification card must be in place for at least 12 months
- Arizona motor vehicle registration
- Employment history
- Transfer of major banking services to Arizona
- Eligible immigration (visa) status if you are a non-citizen
- Arizona voter’s registration (Voter Registration Request Form)
- Change in permanent address on all pertinent records
- Federal and Arizona state income taxes
- Additional documents, as requested
3. Financial Independence Accordion Closed
The Student must be self-supporting and not claimed as a dependent child by anyone on federal or state income taxes for the most recent tax year. Financial independence means that you met your own expenses (tuition, housing, meals, transportation, etc.) from self-generated funds under your control.
Students under the age of 24 are generally considered dependent on their parents regardless of how taxes are filed unless they provide convincing evidence otherwise. Parent PLUS loans, Private Student Loans co-signed by someone else, and significant gifts are not acceptable forms of income. The account holder of the student’s Auto and Health Insurance policies are considered.
Required documentation includes:
- Paystubs
- W-2s
- Bank records
- Student Financial aid records
- Documented inheritance
- Veteran’s or Social Security Benefits
- Trust Funds (established prior to high school)
- Accident/insurance settlements
- Federal/Arizona State Income Tax
Complete and submit the Independent Student Residency Reclassification Petition if you are seeking reclassification as a Resident based on meeting the above criteria.
Explore other methods to be re-classified as a Resident
Additional Information
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Students Accordion Closed
Read the press release regarding the April 2018 Arizona Supreme Court decision ruling federal and state law do not allow in-state tuition benefits to DACA recipients.
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
Read the press release regarding the August 2019 ABOR policy update that clarified DACA students can be eligible for this rate.
An undergraduate non-resident student who graduated from an Arizona high school, but is not otherwise eligible for resident tuition status will be eligible for a non-resident undergraduate tuition 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 physically present in Arizona and graduated from an Arizona high school (or attained the equivalent while physically present in Arizona for a minimum of three years)
This tuition rate applies to undergraduate students, and does not apply to differential tuition, or tuition for on-line, accelerated or distributed programs.
“High School” is defined as grades 9-12. Completion of the 9th grade while physically present in Arizona, whether at an Arizona middle school or high school or equivalent, will count toward the Arizona high school attendance requirement. The three years of Arizona high school attendance do not need to be consecutive.
A student who meets the requirements of this policy will be eligible for this tuition rate regardless of when the student graduated from an Arizona high school.
Procedure to apply for this tuition rate
- Complete and submit the Non-Resident Arizona High School Graduate Tuition Rate Application.
- Submit copies of your Arizona high school transcript(s) or Arizona General Education Certificate unless you have already submitted them when you were admitted. If your high school transcripts do not show that you were present in Arizona for at least 3 years, you will need to submit documentation supporting your claim of Arizona domicile during that time period.
Contact the Residency Classification Office