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Summary of Regulations

In-state status

In-state tuition classification status requires domicile (legal, primary resident) in Colorado for one full year immediately preceding the first day of the term. 

Domicile

Domicile is defined as your true, fixed, and permanent home and place of habitation.  Domicile is a legal characteristic that everyone has, and you can have only one domicile at any one time.

If your parents are not domiciled in Colorado, you must be a qualified person to begin the one-year domiciliary period.  A qualified person is someone who is either: 

• at least 22 years old, or
• married, or
• emancipated, or
• a graduate student. 

Persons who are not citizens of the United States should read the section regarding aliens for additional information.

Unemancipated minors (students under age 22)

Unemancipated minors are eligible for in-state tuition if a parent or court-appointed legal guardian has been domiciled in Colorado for one year.

Emancipation

Emancipation requires that your parents do not provide financial support of any nature for any purpose.  Parental support includes funds your parents may have previously set aside for your current support even if those funds are in your name.  Parents may provide reasonable incidental gifts consistent with emancipation but may not provide significant funds that would be characteristic of a continuing parent-child support relationship.

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 at least four years (see four year rule).  Regaining in-state status requires a new one year domicile period.