Residency

Texas Residency

Texas law classifies each person who applies for admission to a Texas public college or university as:

  • A resident of Texas;
  • A nonresident; or
  • A foreign (international) student.

The residency classification is important because it determines whether a student pays non-resident tuition rates or in-state rates. Being a resident also qualifies a student to apply for financial aid awarded by the state.

Determining Residency

When students apply for admission, the university uses information they provide on the admissions application to make an initial determination for residency classification. (The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board establishes the rules that govern residency for higher education in Texas.) This determination will remain on the student’s record and continue each semester in which a student is enrolled if no changes are made.

Establishing Texas Residency

High School Graduation Requirements
To establish residency through high school graduation, a student must meet the following requirements:

  1. Graduate from a Texas high school or receive a GED in Texas; and
  2. Live in Texas for the 36 months immediately before high school graduation; and
  3. Live in Texas for the 12 months immediately prior to the census date of the semester in which the student enrolls at a Texas public college or university.

If you are a non-U.S. Citizen student seeking residency through high school graduation, in addition to the supporting documentation requirement, you must submit a Residency Affidavit (PDF) stating that you will apply for permanent residency when you are eligible to do so. The affidavit must be completed, signed, and notarized.

Establishing Domicile Requirements

This option for establishing Texas Residency is available to:

  • Citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. (Non-citizens and non-permanent residents may also use this option if they have an application for permanent residency on file with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services for at least 1 year without being denied.)
  • International students who hold an eligible visa or immigration status to domicile in the U.S. continuously in the state for the 12 months immediately preceding the census date of the academic semester in which you enroll.

If you are independent for tax purposes, you may gain resident status if you establish domicile in the state. If your parent(s) or legal guardian claim you as a dependent on their federal income tax return, they must establish domicile in the state for you to claim residency.

To establish domicile, you or your parent/legal guardian must meet the following criteria:

  1. Live in Texas for 12 consecutive months; and
  2. Establish and maintain domicile for 12 consecutive months, as evidenced by:
    • Gainful employment in Texas; or
      • Note: Student jobs do not qualify as gainful employment.
    • Sole or joint marital ownership of residential real property in Texas by the person seeking to enroll or the dependent’s parents, having established and maintained a domicile at the residence; or
    • Ownership and operation of a business in Texas; or
    • Marriage for one year to a person who has established domicile in Texas.