Frequently Asked Questions

In Arizona, as in all other states, tuition at the State’s publicly supported universities is lower for in-state resident students than for out-of-state, non-resident students. These different tuition rates reflect the fact that Arizona’s state universities are supported financially by the State’s taxpayers.

According to the Arizona Board of Regents, “Domicile” or “Domiciled” means an individual’s true, fixed, and permanent home and place of habitation. It is the place where the individual lives, intends to remain, and to which the individual intends to return when leaving without intending to establish a new domicile elsewhere.

No, there are no hardship exceptions. Any person requesting classification as an Arizona resident for tuition purposes must meet the eligibility criteria established by the Arizona Board of Regents to be considered an in-state resident.   

It is possible to be in a situation where no state considers you a resident for tuition purposes. The information provided here only applies to residency classification for tuition purposes at Arizona’s universities. Other states have different rules.   

Residency classifications are based on information submitted on a student’s application. If you believe your classification is incorrect you can contact the residency office to find the easiest route to residency for you.

Not necessarily, just having an Arizona ID does not automatically qualify a student for residency. There are several requirements a student would need to meet to be considered an Arizona resident for tuition purposes. You can view the requirements here.

Not necessarily. Residency for tuition purposes for the three state universities is determined according to guidelines established by the Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR). The community colleges are not governed by ABOR and your classification as a resident at the community college may or may not be in compliance with current ABOR policies.

We ask you submit all of the information you are able to provide. If you do not have one of the documents being requested from you please explain why in the missing documentation explanation.

No, residency documentation must be submitted in hard copy. If you are outside of flagstaff you can mail in your documents to:

NAU Student Service Center

Residency Classification

PO Box #4050

Flagstaff, AZ 86011

Residency reclassifications can only affect tuition rates for the current or future terms. You can view the submission deadlines here.

If you are enrolled in any 16-week course, the deadline is the day after the last day to add or drop classes for that semester. If you are enrolled only in shorter (8-week, 7.5 week, dynamically dated, etc.) sessions, contact Residency at (928) 523-6464 or residency@nau.edu to discuss the deadline. Students who fail to submit a petition or affidavit within the allowable time frame waive their right to gain reclassification as an instate resident for that semester, term, or session.

The processing timeline is 20 business days. If we need to request additional documentation from you that may extend the timeline.

Yes, if a student can meet all of the criteria to be considered an Arizona resident they submit a petition to have that changed for that semester going forward. Residency forms cannot be submitted for past semesters. You can view the deadlines for the semester here.

Yes. All members of federally recognized Arizona Native American tribes are eligible for in-state tuition rates at Arizona’s public universities. When applying to Northern Arizona University, however, you will be first be classified as a non-resident. To be reclassified as a resident, you will need to submit by emailing to residency@nau.edu a copy of your tribal enrollment card OR your tribal identification OR your Certificate of Indian Blood. Upon receiving a copy of one of these valid documents, you will be reclassified as an Arizona resident for tuition purposes.   

No. Simply attending an Arizona university as an out-of-state student is not sufficient to establish Arizona residency, as it is presumed that your presence in Arizona is primarily for the purpose of education and not to establish domicile. Students who believe they have established domicile in Arizona according to applicable requirements may petition for residency reclassification by the appropriate deadline.     

Many of these positions are funded by waivers submitted by your college or department that pays the out-of-state portion of your tuition and fees and you remain classified as a non-resident. Out-of-state graduate assistants or associates whose assigned teaching or research responsibilities meet certain requirements may be eligible for reclassification as an Arizona resident for tuition purposes.

Please submit your Employee Tuition Reduction Form through your HR office, that office will notify the Residency Office who will adjust your residency status for the term in question.

If you marry an Arizona resident, you may become eligible for in-state tuition rates by submitting the Spouse Domicile Affidavit and providing any other required documentation.  

If you have been outside Arizona for more than thirty (30) consecutive days in the twelve (12) months preceding the term you will attend, you will initially be classified as a non-resident for tuition purposes and must provide the required evidence that you maintained domicile in Arizona during your absence. If you graduated from an Arizona High School, you may qualify for in-state tuition under Prop 308. 

You can view some information NAU’s Veteran Success Center’s resources for some of the in-state tuition programs here. Contact Northern Arizona University’s Veteran Success Center at 928-523-8387 or vets@nau.edu to request more information.

Yes. When you are first accepted at Northern Arizona University, however, you will be classified as a nonresident for tuition purposes. To be reclassified as a resident, you must submit the Active Military Duty Affidavit and provide any other required documentation.

Effective July 1, 2024 and forward

1. A member of the armed forces who is on active duty for a period of more than 30 days.

1. A member of the Foreign Service is a person who is on active duty for a period of more than 30 days. For more information, please visit https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2009-title22/pdf/USCODE-2009-title22-chap52.pdf

1. An officer or employee of an element of the intelligence community who serves in a position of employment in such element for a period of more than 30 days.

The term “intelligence community” includes the following: 

• The Office of the Director of National Intelligence
• The Central Intelligence Agency
• The National Security Agency
• The Defense Intelligence Agency
• The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency
• The National Reconnaissance Office
• Other offices within the Department of Defense for the collection of specialized national intelligence through reconnaissance programs
• The intelligence elements of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, Coast Guard, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, and Department of Energy
• The Bureau of Intelligence and Research of the Department of State
• The Office of Intelligence and Analysis of the Department of the Treasury
• The Office of Intelligence and Analysis of the Department of Homeland Security
• Such other elements of any department or agency as may be designated by the President, or designated jointly by the Director of National Intelligence and the head of the department or agency concerned, as an element of the intelligence community

If you are dependent on parents or a legal guardian in the state you may be able to classify as an Arizona Resident for Tuition purposes if you can meet the criteria under the Dependent Child Residency Affidavit.

As outlined in Northern Arizona University’s Residency for Tuition Purposes policy, your tuition status is determined based on numerous factors. Living with family members other than a parent or legal guardian, or with friends in Arizona is, by itself, not a sufficient indicator of your domicile or your intent to establish permanent domicile in Arizona.   

Once you are classified as a resident for tuition purposes, your classification will not change as long as you maintain what is referred to as “continuous attendance.” This means that you stay enrolled through each fall and spring semester until you graduate and receive your degree. If you apply for a second degree program (e.g., graduate or professional school), your residency will be reviewed based upon your situation and domicile at the time of application.   

Owning property in Arizona does not automatically qualify you as a resident for tuition purposes. If your goal is to establish residency in Arizona, paying Arizona income taxes can be one indicator of such intent. You must meet all applicable requirements, however, to become eligible for in-state resident tuition rates.