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Independent Student Residency Reclassification Petition
The Independent Student Residency Reclassification Petition is for students who are financially independent living in Arizona for reasons other than school. This petition is one of the more common petition types to be submitted but requires the most documentation. If there is another petition or affidavit the student better qualifies under, it may be a benefit to explore that option.
The Independent Student Residency Reclassification Petition has three main requirements a student needs to meet to have their petition approved. The student must meet all three of these requirements as defined by the Arizona Board of Regents to be considered an Arizona resident for tuition purposes. Those requirements are:
1. 12 months of physical presence Accordion Closed
- This is defined by the student having been continuously physically present in Arizona for the 12 calendar months immediately preceding the last day of registration for the term which the student is seeking classification as an in-state resident for tuition purposes, as demonstrated by objective evidence.
- If the student is absent from Arizona for more than 30 total days during the 12 months immediately preceding the last day of registration, this creates a rebuttable presumption that the student is not domiciled in or a resident of Arizona. A student may rebut this presumption with objective evidence that they retained their Arizona domicile and residence despite their absence(s).
2. Ability to demonstrating financial independence Accordion Closed
- This is defined as showing proof of self-generated funds under the student’s control for expenses.
- “Financial Independence” means the individual is capable of paying for their own living expenses (i.e., housing, utilities, transportation, insurance, groceries/food) and university tuition with funds earned by the individual or with funds that are the sole property of the individual, without receiving significant financial support from someone other than a spouse.
- It also requires that the student’s parents have not claimed them as dependent on their taxes for at least the most recent tax year.
- Students 24 years old and under are assumed to be financially dependent on their parents regardless of how taxes are filed; the student must provide convincing evidence proving otherwise.
3. Overcoming the student presumption Accordion Closed
- This is defined as proving that the student’s primary purpose in Arizona is to establish domicile. The student’s primary purpose in Arizona cannot be education. The student’s future in Arizona cannot be considered, only events that have occurred in the last 12 months.
- An individual cannot establish residency for tuition purposes while attending an educational institution in Arizona as a full-time student according to the Arizona Board of Regents.
- If you are not sure if you meet these criteria, you can explore other pathways to residency listed on our website or using the residency navigator. Please contact the residency office with questions if you are unsure of anything throughout the process.
If you are not sure if you meet these criteria, you can explore other pathways to residency listed on our website or using the residency navigator to see if there is a different pathway to residency for you. Please contact the residency office with questions.
Definitions and Things to Know:
- “Objective Evidence” means documentation or information other than your own statement(s) of intent.
- The term “resident for tuition purposes” differs from other definitions of Arizona residency. You can be a resident for other purposes and not be a resident for tuition purposes.
- To qualify as an Arizona resident for tuition purposes, you must have U.S. Citizenship, a permanent resident card, or an eligible visa to qualify. You can view the visa eligibility here.
- The residency office will review all facets of your academic career in our review of your petition – this includes your application for admission, financial aid awards and any communications with the residency office or other NAU offices. We may verify or investigate the authenticity of any documents submitted.
- Missing or incomplete documentation can cause your petition to be denied or delayed. If there is something you cannot provide, please explain in the missing documentation explanation section instead.
- Additional documentation may be requested by the residency office after our initial review of your petition and supporting documents. Please respond promptly to ensure your review can be completed.
- We will communicate with you via your NAU email address. It is your responsibility to check your email and respond in a timely manner.
- The residency office is required to follow Arizona Board of Regents policy, which is state law.