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Residency Questions

Is it possible to be a legal resident of Indiana and still be a nonresident student at the University of Southern Indiana?

Yes. The state of Indiana determines for specific purposes (driver's license, voter registration, etc.) the requirements for becoming a legal resident of the state. However, the state legislature has delegated to Indiana's institutions of higher education the responsibility of determining when a person becomes eligible for resident student status.

Many nonresident students are considered legal residents of the state. These individuals are eligible to carry an Indiana driver's license, register to vote, and serve as members of a jury. However, persons who reside in Indiana for the predominant purpose of education are considered nonresidents for tuition and fee-paying purposes at the University of Southern Indiana.

How can I be classified as a resident for tuition purposes?

The two ways to qualify for classification as a resident for tuition purposes are:

  1. You are an unemancipated student (financially dependent) and your parent establishes a domicile in Indiana prior to the first day of the academic session for which resident classification is sought. The move to Indiana must be predominantly for reasons other than to enable you to gain resident status for tuition purposes (such as moving because of a job transfer for a job located in Indiana).
  2. You are an emancipated student (financially independent) and have been domiciled in Indiana for at least 12 consecutive months immediately preceding the first day of classes of the academic session for which resident classification is sought. Your domicile must be established for a predominant purpose other than attending an institution of higher education.

How do students appeal a decision of nonresident student status?

Students who want to appeal their nonresident status should provide a completed Residence Classification Information for Tuition Purposes form and all required supporting documentation to the Office of the Registrar no later than 15 business days after the first day of classes. After the completed form and documents are evaluated, the student is notified in writing of the decision rendered.

Should I delay registering until my residency is changed?

If you won't meet the residency requirements until the start of the next semester, but registration starts soon, do not wait to register for classes. Complete your registration as close to your assigned registration time as possible in order to have the best selection of courses.

Are military families eligible for in-state fees?

Military families from Indiana are eligible for in-state fees as long they maintain their Indiana domicile by continuing to file their personal income tax returns in Indiana as residents of the state.

Are non-Indiana resident military families eligible for in-state fees?

Non-resident full-time active duty United States military members assigned to active duty in Indiana qualify for in-state tuition immediately. A copy of the authorized active duty orders, driver's license, and a completed Residence Classification Information for Tuition Purposes form must be provided to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Dependents of active duty military members stationed in Indiana are also entitled to resident student tuition.

Will my resident status change automatically after meeting all the requirements for this status?

No. It is necessary to file a Residence Classification Information for Tuition Purposes form, and provide the required supporting documents to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Once the form and documents have been evaluated, if a student's status needs to be updated, the system will be corrected immediately and the proper offices notified.

What are the documents that need to be provided when pursuing residency?

Examples of documentation that may be required during the residence classification process include, but are not limited to, an Indiana driver's license or state identification card, Indiana car registration, Indiana voter registration, state and federal income tax returns, W-2's, lease/mortgage for the past 12 months, permanent resident card/temporary visa (if applicable), most recent pay stub, a statement from your employer indicating the beginning dates of your employment, military Leave and Earnings Statement(s) (if applicable), military orders or other documents specifically stationing a person to active duty in Indiana (if applicable), and a completed Residence Classification of Students for Tuition Purposes form.

Are children or relatives of the University of Southern Indiana alumni eligible for in-state classification without meeting the residency requirements?

No, the alumni status of a parent or relative is not a factor in determining residence classification.

I lived in Indiana for years but left the state to take a job elsewhere. Am I still a resident?

It depends. If you returned to the state within one year of the date you left, the university still considers you a resident, provided you continued to maintain your domicile in Indiana while away from the state. If you were gone more than a year, you would be considered a nonresident.

How long must someone live in Indiana to establish in-state residency?

The applicant must permanently reside in Indiana for 12 continuous months prior to applying for residency. Exceptions may exist for unemancipated students.

Is there an "effective date" that applies to a person's eligibility for resident student status?

Yes. Circumstances that exist prior to the first day of classes of each individual semester or session determine a person's eligibility for resident student status for that semester or session.

If a person enrolls as a nonresident student, will that person always be considered a nonresident?

No. Any person who meets the University’s residence requirements is eligible for resident student status without regard to previous enrollment as a nonresident student.

Does paying income or property taxes to the state of Indiana make a student eligible for instate fee?

No. Persons who are in Indiana for the predominant purpose of education do not become eligible for resident student status on the basis of paying taxes to the state.

What if I am an Indiana resident who went out-of-state for school?

We do not consider any time spent out-of-state as a student against you as long as you return to Indiana within one year following your last enrollment or graduation, and provided you continue to maintain your domicile in Indiana while away from the state.

If a student is reclassified to resident student status, is it possible to get a refund for that semester?

Yes. The nonresident portion of the fees already paid will be refunded if the student applies for resident student status before the deadline, and if a decision to classify the student as a resident for tuition purposes is rendered. Note that the "effective date" for determining the student's eligibility is the day before the first day of classes of the effective semester or session.

Does marrying an Indiana resident automatically make a nonresident a resident student?

No. Although marriage to a resident of Indiana is one of the factors considered in the determination of predominant purpose, the existence of this factor does not require a finding of resident status.

A nonresident student may be eligible for reclassification to resident student status 12 months after the date of marriage to an Indiana resident. It is necessary to file a Residence Classification of Students for Tuition Purposes form and provide documentation, including a valid marriage license, to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

If parents of a resident student move to another state, will the student's classification change?

No. Once a person has been properly classified as a resident student, that person shall remain a resident student so long as remaining continuously enrolled (each Fall and Spring semester) in the University until earning the degree in progress.

Why does the University of Southern Indiana have a residence policy?

The University of Southern Indiana is financially supported by the State of Indiana; therefore, resident students pay less in fees than out-of-state students. Residency status is determined when students are admitted to the University, by either the Office of Undergraduate Admissions (for undergraduates and non-degree), and Graduate Studies (for graduates). Decisions made in these offices are based upon information provided by students during the admission application process, in accordance with rules adopted by the Board of Trustees.

How is the student notified of the Residence Appeal Committee’s decision?

The student is notified in writing of the decision by the chair of the committee.