Under Arizona state law, an applicant or enrolled student is classified either as a resident of Arizona, a nonresident or foreign student. The term "Arizona resident" for admissions or tuition purposes may differ from other definitions of Arizona residency. A person who has an Arizona driver license, or who is an Arizona resident for tax, voting, or other purposes may not necessarily be considered a resident for tuition purposes.

International students that are entitled to reside permanently in the United States may be eligible for in-state status classification at the University. Additional information can be found under the Visa Types section of this page.

Arizona law requires that students who are classified in-state for tuition purposes or are receiving aid that is funded in part or in whole by state money provide verification of citizenship, permanent residency or other lawful immigration status. Additional information can be found on the Citizenship/Lawful Presence website.

INFORMATION REGARDING RESIDENCY CLASSIFICATION IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE

A $50.00 non-refundable fee needs to be received with the submission of a reclassification petition before it can be marked as complete and evaluated.

Residency classification for tuition purposes at ASU is a benefit reserved for Arizona residents who have met the requirements as established by state law and the Arizona Board of Regents policy. There are no exceptions granted due to unusual circumstances or financial hardship. That is, it is not a scholarship or waiver.

Step 1: Determine Your Classification Category

An individual’s residency classification is based on the information from his/her admission application. If an applicant or student is classified as a nonresident and wishes to be reclassified as a resident, it may be necessary to submit additional documentation. Please read through the Residency Reclassification Survey to determine what documentation you may need to submit.

Step 2: Initiate Your Residency Petition or Verification form

Submit the appropriate residency petition form (see the Residency Reclassification Survey or the Classification Categories page for additional information) along with your $50.00 non-refundable petition fee to the Residency Classification Office if required. **Note: Verification categories do not require the submission of the $50.00 fee.

Step 3: The Petition Process

The Residency Classification Office may also request additional documentation after the initial review of your application. Applications and accompanying documentation will be retained by Arizona State University in accordance with university approved requirements. All information will be kept confidential as required by law and university policies.

In making residency determinations, the University considers all information provided in or with an application, as well as any other available information relevant to the application. Decisions to approve a residency application are made when the applicant has presented clear and convincing evidence that a permanent domicile in the state of Arizona has been established.

NOTE: A $50.00 non-refundable fee needs to be received with the submission of a reclassification petition before it can be marked as complete and evaluated.

Step 4: The Petition Decision

Processing time for a completed petition is approximately 4-6 weeks. For petitioners wanting a residency decision prior to the Tuition/Fee payment deadline, it is suggested that the completed petition, including the $50.00 fee and all required documents, be submitted at least 4 weeks prior to the first tuition/fee payment deadline. A petition will not be considered complete until all requested documents have been submitted to the Residency Classification Office.

If you submitted a petition for reclassification and were denied by the Residency Classification Office, you have the right to request an appeal of that decision.

Warning: Misrepresentation or Falsification of Information Can be Costly

Students are expected to be honest with all information presented in connection with the petition process, and by submitting a notarized petition, confirm that all information is true and complete. Students who petition for reclassification subscribe and swear to the following statement:

"All statements, information, and evidence presented are true and complete. I understand that if I provide false information, if I make a material misrepresentation or omission in connection with my Petition for Change of Residency, or if I make any effort to fraudulently claim Arizona as my state of legal domicile, it will jeopardize my case for residency and subject me to disciplinary action, dismissal for the University...and may result in civil and criminal liability. I hereby grant permission for ASU representatives to verify any supporting evidence submitted with this petition."

Petitioners who have omitted, falsified, or misrepresented any information will be referred to Student Judicial Affairs for disciplinary action.

Students may submit a petition for residency according to the following schedule:

The deadline dates listed above are firm. Per ABOR requirements, failure to submit a notarized petition by the deadline date constitutes a waiver of the right to petition for that term. Petitions received after the deadline will be denied. Appeals will not be accepted for petitions submitted after the deadline.

Complete tuition/admission residency regulations for the State of Arizona can be found at the following websites:

Arizona Board of Regents Fact book: Residency for Tuition Purposes at ASU, NAU, and UA
Arizona Board Of Regents (ABOR) Policy Manual, Section 4-204: Establishing Resident Status
Arizona Revised Statues - Title 15 (A.R.S. 15-1801 to 1807)

Arizona law requires that students who are seeking consideration for in-state tuition status or aid that is funded in part or in whole by state money provide verification of citizenship, permanent residency or other lawful immigration status. If you are already classified as a resident to tuition purposes and you still need to verify your status please go the Citizenship/Lawful Presence page for additional information.

Visa Types and Residency Eligibility List

Among non-U.S. citizens, only persons who are entitled to reside permanently in the United States are eligible for in-state status classification at the University. These individuals, like U.S. citizens, must still prove that they have established domicile in Arizona as defined in Arizona Board of Regent's Policy. In other words, having the privilege of remaining permanently in the United States is a necessary, but not a sufficient, condition to obtaining in-state classification at the University. At present, non-citizens who are entitled to reside permanently in the United States and are eligible for the benefit of instate tuition at Arizona State University.

Students must clearly and convincingly prove that they are permanent residents of Arizona. A temporary, non-immigrant visa would not allow a person to obtain a permanent status in Arizona regardless of the length of the visa or the number of times it is renewed.

Continuing eligibility to remain classified as a resident student for tuition purposes depends upon the continued maintenance of eligible immigration status. Students that change to a non-eligible classification status may be changed to a status of non-resident.

Students with eligible classifications (see the Visa Types & Residency Eligibility List) who feel they may qualify for a change in status should contact the Residency Classification Office at 480-965-7712 for more information.

NOTE: This information has been compiled and approved via University policies and procedures.