Admission Information

Dependent Status

A dependent student is considered a legal resident of the same state as his or her parent or legal guardian (the claimant). If the claimant is a legal guardian and NOT the student's parent, additional guardianship documentation will be required (see Section II). 

To qualify for in-state status, the claimant must complete the Residency Declaration Form and submit copies of eligible documents.

I. Eligible Residency Documents - The State of °®¶¹´«Ã½ requires the submission of two documents which must be dated/issued at least 12 months prior to the first day of classes for the semester for which °®¶¹´«Ã½ residency is sought. Moreover, if there is evidence of legal ties to another state, °®¶¹´«Ã½ residency may not be claimed. The documents submitted must include at least one proof from the list of Primary documents below. No single document shall be conclusive.

Primary Documents:

  • °®¶¹´«Ã½ driver's license or State Identification card
  • °®¶¹´«Ã½ vehicle registration
  • °®¶¹´«Ã½ voter's registration
  • Proof of a homestead exemption in °®¶¹´«Ã½
  • Proof of permanent full-time employment in °®¶¹´«Ã½
  • Letter on company letterhead stating that the claimant has been employed at least 30 hours per week for at least 12 months

Secondary Documents:

  • A declaration of domicile in °®¶¹´«Ã½ (the date that an applicant shall be deemed as establishing residency for tuition purposes shall be 12 months from the date that the Clerk of Circuit Court notes the declaration)
  • A °®¶¹´«Ã½ professional or occupational license
  • Proof of membership in °®¶¹´«Ã½-based charitable or professional organizations
  • Documents evidencing a °®¶¹´«Ã½ incorporation
  • Proof of 12 consecutive months of payment on a water, electric, or natural gas bill OR proof of a lease agreement and 12 consecutive months of payment

II. Proof of Guardianship (required if claimant is NOT the student's parent)

  • Documents showing Court appointed guardianship (power of attorney is NOT sufficient)
  • Three consecutive years of tax returns in which the student is claimed as a dependent by the claimant

°®¶¹´«Ã½ and claimants who are Non-U.S. Citizens are required to submit documentation to verify permanent resident or visa status IN ADDITION to documentation required for in-state status.

III. Proof of Dependency (required if student is an undergraduate student [under 24] and claimant is the student's parent and/or guardian)

  • Claimant is the student's parent
    • Copy of most recent tax return showing the student was claimed as a financial dependent

  • Claimant is the student's guardian
    • Copy of most recent tax return showing the student was claimed as a financial dependent

          AND

    • Documents showing Court appointed guardianship (power of attorney is NOT sufficient)

          OR

    • Three consecutive years of tax returns in which the student is claimed as a dependent by the claimant