FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

    Residency Questions:

Q: Who is eligible to establish Texas residency for tuition purposes?
A: U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and eligible aliens

Q: What qualifies my son/daughter to be a Texas resident?
A: If a student is a dependent, residency will be classified the same as that of their parents. If he/she is an independent student, he/she:
      1. Must live in Texas for 12 consecutive months;
      2. Must be gainfully employed or demonstrate financial independence 12 months prior to enrollment;
      3. Must not be enrolled in an educational institution for 12 consecutive months while residing in Texas.
HB 1403 information:
A foreign individual who enters a Texas institution of higher education in fall 2001 or later is a resident of Texas if he or she
(A) attended a public or private high school while residing with a parent or legal guardian;
(B) graduated from the high school or received the equivalent of a high school degree in Texas;
(C) resided in Texas for at least three (3) consecutive years as of the date he/she graduated from high school or received the equivalent of a high school degree;
(D) registers as an entering student no earlier than fall 2001; and
(E) provides his/her college an affidavit that he/ she intends to file an application to become a permanent resident of the United States at the earliest opportunity the individual is eligible to do so.

Q: We live in another state and our son/daughter came to Texas to go to school. Can he/she establish residency so he/she can pay in-state tuition?
A: If you live in another state and claim your son/daughter for federal income tax purposes, he/she is considered a dependent and not eligible to establish residency in his/her own right. However, independent students may establish residency (see guidelines on Rules on Establishing Residency: Independent Individuals 18 years of age or older).

Q: Can my son/daughter attend college during the 12 month period when he/she is establishing residency?
A: Yes, as long as they attend half-time or less and have otherwise met residency requirements. Half time is considered 6 hours during each long semester (spring and fall) and 3 hours during each short semester (summer and intersessions). Please keep in mind that they will pay out-of-state tuition during the 12 month period that they are establishing residency.