Registrar's Office

Tuition Classification Guidelines

 

Tuition classification is governed by state law (Colorado Revised Statutes 23-7-101, et seq.) and by judicial decisions that apply to all public institutions of higher education in Colorado . (A copy of the statute is attached.) The University of Northern Colorado does not have discretion to make exceptions to the rules as defined by state law.

Although individuals may be considered state residents for voting or other purposes after being in the state for a short period of time, the tuition law specifies additional requirements for classification as "in-state" for tuition purposes.

Classification Procedures

Initial Classification

The initial tuition classification of any student enrolling at the University of Northern Colorado is made based on information the student supplied in the Application for Admission.

 

Changes in Tuition Classification

Individuals classified as "out-of-state" who feel they meet the requirements for in-state tuition, should complete the In-State Tuition Classification Packet which is available in the Registrar's Office (Carter Hall 3002). The completed petition and requested documentation should be returned to the Registrar's Office.

Students remain a non-resident until they have received notification from the Tuition Classification Officer indicating a residency change has been approved. Students who are petitioning for residency remain responsible for paying their student account based upon their current tuition classification. Students are strongly urged to petition early in order to receive a response from the Tuition Classification Officer prior to any applicable tuition and fees deadlines.

For additional information about the requirements for establishing in-state residency, please contact:

Kelley Christman
Tuition Classification Officer
Registrar's Office, Carter Hall Room 3002
University of Northern Colorado
Greeley , CO 80639
Telephone: (970)351-2571
Fax: (970)351-1870
E-mail: Kelley.Christman@unco.edu

 

Deadlines

Completed petitions may be submitted to the Registrar's Office as early as 90 days prior to the term for which the individual desires a change in classification but no later than the first class day of the term . Petitions submitted after the deadlines will be reviewed the next term.

If you anticipate receiving financial aid for the semester you are applying for residency, it is recommended that you submit your petition no later than 60 days before the semester begins. This will enable your financial aid to be processed correctly and credited to your account by the time classes start.

Appeals

Students who are denied in-state tuition classification by the Tuition Classification Officer may appeal that decision to the Residency Appeals Committee. (There is no appeal process for students who file their petition after the published deadline.) A student wishing to appeal a decision should contact the Tuition Classification Officer for instructions. Appeals must be submitted in writing to the Registrar's Office no later than two weeks (10 class days) after the denial decision has been sent to the student. The decision of the Residency Appeals Committee is the final University determination. There can be no retroactive changes in classification.

Student Responsibility

The tuition classification statute places the burden of proof upon the petitioner to provide clear and convincing evidence of eligibility and to meet the required deadlines. Only copies of requested documents should be submitted with the petition because all information submitted becomes part of the person's permanent record and cannot be returned to the petitioner. Tuition classification decisions are not transferable from one institution to another.

Information submitted to qualify for in-state classification is subject to verification. Individuals submitting false information or falsified supporting documents are subject to both criminal charges and University disciplinary proceedings.

 

Summary of Tuition Classification Regulations

Qualified Person

You must be a qualified person to begin the one-year domiciliary period. Adults, graduate students, emancipated minors and unemancipated minors with parents or legal guardians who have established domicile in the state of Colorado are qualified persons. Persons who are not citizens of the United States should read the section regarding Aliens.

Adult

Graduate student at the beginning of the 12-month waiting period.

Emancipated Minor : You are an emancipated minor if you are:

•  A student less than 22 years old (21 for students who first attended any Colorado college or university before September 1, 1996); and

•  A student whose parents have entirely surrendered the right to your care, custody and earnings; and if they are no longer under any duty to support you; and if they have made no provision for your support. This means that your parents cannot provide you with financial support of any nature for any ordinary or necessary expense. Parental support includes, but is not limited to, gifts and loans (including PLUS loans) that you depend on for financial support. Trust funds or other assets established by your parents are regarded as evidence of nonemancipation. You must be emancipated during the entire 12-month waiting period; and

•  Your parents can no longer claim you as a dependent for tax purposes on their federal tax return. However, if as of August your parents cease support, they can claim you as a dependent for that year. They cannot claim you as a dependent for subsequent years.

If you are an emancipated minor granted in-state tuition status, you are subject to reclassification as an out-of-state resident if your parents resume support.

•  Unemancipated minor whose parents or legal guardians have established domicile in Colorado : A student less than 22 years old (21 for students who attended a college or university in Colorado before September 1, 1996) who is dependent on his or her parents for financial support.

An unemancipated minor may qualify for in-state tuition if either of his or her parents, regardless of custody, has been domiciled in Colorado for the one-year preceding the first day of class of a given academic term, even though the student may reside elsewhere. A student may qualify for in-state tuition through the domicile of a Colorado guardian only if your guardian has legal custody. The court appointing the guardianship must certify that the primary purpose of the appointment is not to qualify the student for in-state tuition. The court must also certify that the parents do not provide substantial financial support. The guardianship must be in effect for one year before you would qualify for in-state tuition. Parentally signed Power of Attorney does not qualify as legal guardianship.

Your in-state eligibility will be lost if you or your parents (depending on your age and parental support) maintain domicile outside Colorado for one year. However, if you are an unemancipated minor, you may retain in-state status if your parents have lived in Colorado for at least four years (see Four Year Rule). Regaining in-state status requires a new one-year domicile period.

Establishing Domicile

Domicile is the place where a person has chosen to make a fixed and permanent home. Domicile includes physical presence and intent and must be established for 12 months prior to the first day of classes. You can only establish domicile in Colorado if you intend to reside permanently in the state and meet the definition of a qualified student.

Physical Presence: You must provide clear and convincing evidence of continuous physical presence in the state of Colorado for the 12 months preceding the semester in question. The 12-month period is referred to as a domicile year.

Intent: Your evidence of intent to be a resident of Colorado is demonstrated by the absence of ties to your former state of residence. Actions used to indicate intent must be accomplished at the beginning of and maintained throughout the domicile year. If implementation of these steps is delayed, the start of your one-year domicile period may be delayed. Several factors which will be considered are:

• Payment of Colorado state income taxes: All taxable income accrued after you move to Colorado , regardless of source, must be reported to the Colorado Department of Revenue. For additional information, contact the Colorado Department of Revenue, 1375 Sherman Street , Denver , CO 80203 ; telephone 303-232-2446.

•  Colorado driver's license or Colorado ID (if you don't drive): Colorado driver's license or Colorado ID must be obtained within 30 days of moving to Colorado (if employed) or within 120 days (if unemployed). The Driver's License Division is located at 800 8 th Ave. in Greeley .

•  Colorado voter registration: Voter registration can be obtained when you acquire your driver's license or at the County Clerk & Recorders, located at 1402 N. 17 th St. in Greeley .

•  Colorado vehicle registration: If you operate a motor vehicle, you must register it in Colorado within 30 days of moving to Colorado . This law applies to any vehicle you have, whether or not you are the registered owner . Vehicle registration information is available from the County Clerk , located at 1402 N. 17 th Street in Greeley .

•  Permanent employment or acceptance of future permanent employment in Colorado : Employment offered by the University to students, such as work-study or graduate assistants, is not considered permanent.

•  Ownership of residential real property in Colorado that is your primary residence: Ownership of vacation or income property is not a factor indicating domicile.

•  Other factors particular to your situation may be considered also, and must be documented.

Four Year Rule

If your parents (or court-appointed legal guardians) maintain Colorado domicile for four years and then establish domicile elsewhere, you may remain eligible for in-state tuition if:

Your parents (legal guardians) leave Colorado after your junior year of high school and if you enroll at a Colorado public college or university within three years and six months after your parents leave Colorado . or

Aliens

Persons who are lawful permanent residents are eligible to establish domicile for tuition purposes. All petitioners who are not U.S. citizens can be classified in the following two categories: