Important Points You need to Know About Residency Reclassification

• Residency Reclassification requirements are established by Alabama Code 16-64 and the University of Alabama Board of Trustees' Rule 202.
• If one is in Alabama primarily for the purpose of obtaining an education, that person shall be considered a non-resident student. One seeking reclassification as a resident-student has the burden of proving that he or she is a resident-student.
• Students are classified as non-resident students or resident students at the time they initially enroll at The University of Alabama. A person's classification as a non-resident student shall continue unchanged until the student submits satisfactory evidence to the contrary at the time of a subsequent registration.
• Decisions regarding applications for residency reclassification requests are based on the information and supporting documents submitted with the Application for Reclassification of Residence for Tuition Purposes. The student has the burden of proving that he or she is a "resident" as that term is defined in the Non-Resident Tuition Policy.
• As a pre-requisite to establishing one's status as a "resident" as that term is used in the Policy, one must swear or affirm to an address and an intent to remain in Alabama indefinitely. However, the ultimate determination of "resident" status is made by the University through its evaluation of the presence or absence of connections with Alabama. Persons in Alabama primarily for the purpose of obtaining an education are presumed to be non-resident students
• For the purposes of the Policy, the term "resident" has the meaning ascribed to it in the Policy which may differ from the definition of the term "resident" used in contexts outside of this Policy. Consequently, although a person may be considered a "resident" for local, state, federal, or other non-University purposes, the person still may not be considered a "resident-student" for the purpose of tuition payment at The University of Alabama.
• For purposes of the Policy, the term "resident" means one whose residence is in Alabama. Residence means the single location at which one resides with the intent of remaining there indefinitely as evident by more substantial connections with that place than any other place. In evaluating the documentation submitted in regard to whether or not one is a "resident," the University will take into account the residence address certified by the applicant, whether or not the applicant has lived in Alabama as a "resident" for one year or more, and all other information and documentation submitted by a person in support of their application for reclassification.
• All documents must be copied onto letter size paper prior to submission to the Registrar's Office.
• The list of examples of connections found in the Policy is just that - a list of examples which the University may consider in the evaluation one's application. Neither one example nor multiple examples of the connections on that list will necessarily result in a favorable decision on one's application for reclassification. The University will evaluate all of the information and documentation submitted with an application in making its decision.
• Financial hardship and/or length of enrollment at the University of Alabama are not determining factors in determining whether or not one is a resident student.
• The application for reclassification and accompanying documentation must to be submitted to the Office of the University Registrar office prior the first day of class of the term for which you are seeking residency reclassification. You may consult the University website for the first day of classes for Spring, Summer, and Fall terms each year.
• For purposes of the tuition policy, you must be a US citizen, permanent resident alien or a legal alien granted indefinite stay in the United States by the Immigration and Naturalization Service. Students on F-1 Visa status and students with no legal resident status are ineligible for residency consideration because their visa status prevents them from residing indefinitely in Alabama. Marriage to a bonafide US/Alabama citizen does not automatically qualify you for consideration of in-state residency for tuition purposes
• You can learn more about Residency Reclassification requirements from your current Undergraduate Catalog or the UA website at http://registrar.ua.edu/residency.html