The Office of The University Registrar - The University of Alabama

THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA NON-RESIDENT TUITION POLICY

The University of Alabama Non Resident Tuition Policy is derived from State of Alabama Code 16-64. Students are governed by the Board of Trustees' Non-resident Tuition Policy.

The following policy was approved by the Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama as Board Rule 202 on December 5, 1997.

In general, international students may apply for residence reclassification, but must have the ability to remain indefinitely in the United States and otherwise meet the requirements of the Policy.

I. NON-RESIDENT TUITION FEE

All students registering at the University of Alabama who do not establish that they are "resident students" shall pay a "non-resident student" tuition which shall be at least twice that of "resident student" tuition.
Classification of students as "non-resident students" or "resident students" shall be made at the time of their initial registration to the institution and shall continue unchanged through all subsequent registrations at that institution until satisfactory evidence to the contrary is submitted at the time of any subsequent registration.
A "resident student" is one who, at the time of registration: is not a "minor." and is a resident of the state of Alabama and has been a resident of the state for at least one year immediately preceding the date of registration; or
Is a "minor" and whose "supporting person(s)" is a resident of the state of Alabama and has been a resident of the state for at least one year immediately preceding the date of registration.

II. DEFINITIONS

Minor:
An individual who, because of age, lacks the capacity to contract under Alabama law. Under current law, this means a single individual under nineteen (19) and a married individual under eighteen (18), but excludes an individual whose disabilities of non-age have been removed by a court of competent jurisdiction for a reason other than establishing a legal residence in Alabama.
Supporting person:
Either or both of the parents of the student (if they are living together) or if they are divorced or living separate, then either the parent having legal custody or, if different, the parent providing the greater amount of financial support of the two. If both parents are deceased or if neither had legal custody then supporting person shall mean, in the following order: legal custodian of the student, and, if none, the guardian, and, if none, the conservator.
Resident:
One whose residence is in the state of Alabama. Residence means the single location at which a person resides with the intent of remaining there indefinitely as evidenced by more substantial connections with that place than with any other place. Individuals carrying resident status under this policy shall certify under penalty for perjury that a specific address or location within the state of Alabama is their residence, that they intend to remain there indefinitely and that they have more substantial connections with the state of Alabama than with any other state.

Though certification of an address and intent to remain in the state indefinitely are prerequisites to establishing status as a resident, ultimate determination of that status shall be made by the institution by its evaluation of the presence or absence of connections with the state of Alabama.

Examples of the connections evaluated include but are not limited to the following: (This is not a checklist)

Payment of Alabama state income taxes as a resident
Ownership of a residence or other real property in the state and payment of state ad valorem taxes thereon
Full-time employment (not temporary) in the state
Residence in the state of a spouse, parents, or children
Previous periods of residency in the state continuing for one year or more
Voter registration and voting in the state; more significantly continuing voter registration in the state that initially occurred at least one year prior to the initial registration of the student in Alabama at a public institution of higher education
Possession of state or local licenses to do business or practice a profession in the state
Ownership of personal property in the state and payment of state taxes thereon (e.g. automobile, boat, etc.) and possession of state license plates
Continuous physical presence in the state for a purpose other than attending school and except for temporary absences for travel, military service, temporary employment, etc.
Membership in religious, professional, business, civic, or social organizations in the state
Maintenance in the state of checking and savings accounts, safe deposit boxes, or investment accounts
In-state address shown on selective service registration, driver's license, automobile title registration, hunting and fishing license, insurance policies, stock and bond registrations, last will and testament, annuities, or retirement plans
Location within the state of the high school from which the individual graduated

III. AUTHORITY TO EXPAND THE DEFINITION OF "RESIDENT STUDENT"

The President of the University of Alabama has expanded the definition of "Resident Student" to include the following categories:

One who, at the time of registration, is not a "minor" and:

Is a full-time employee (not temporary) of the University of Alabama or is the spouse of such an employee;
Is able to verify full-time permanent employment within the state of Alabama and shall commence said employment not more than ninety (90) days after initial registration with the institution, or is the spouse of such an employee;
Is a member or the spouse of a member of the United States military on full-time active duty stationed in Alabama under orders for duties other than attending school; (Members of the National Guard or Reserves are not included in this provision)
Is a resident of any county within fifty (50) miles of the University of Alabama and has been a resident of that county for at least one year immediately preceding the date of registration. "Resident" shall have the same meaning, as to the relevant county, which it has as to the State of Alabama in the definitions section of this policy statement (Lowndes and Noxubee counties in Mississippi are eligible)

One who, at the time of registration, is a "minor" and whose "supporting person(s)":

Is a full-time employee (not temporary) of the University of Alabama;
Is able to verify full-time permanent employment within the state of Alabama and shall commence said employment not more than ninety (90) days after initial registration with the institution;
Is a member of the United States military on full-time active duty stationed in Alabama under orders for duties other than attending school; (Members of the National Guard or Reserves are not included in this provision)
Is a resident of any county within fifty (50) miles of the University of Alabama and has been a resident of that county for at least one year immediately preceding the date of registration. "Resident" shall have the same meaning, as to the relevant county which it has as to the State of Alabama in the definitions section of this policy statement. (Lowndes and Noxubee counties in Mississippi are eligible)

IV. AUTHORITY TO IMPLEMENT POLICY

The Presidents are authorized (and authorized to delegate to admissions officers and others) and directed to implement this policy by appropriate written policies, guidelines, and procedures.

V. PROCESS FOR RECLASSIFICATION

Students who wish to apply for reclassification of residence must submit an Application for Reclassification of Residency to The Office of The University Registrar prior to the first day of classes for the term requested. Applications submitted on the first day of classes or later in the semester will be considered for the next succeeding semester. The student bears the burden of proving that the student is a "resident student" as that term is defined in the Non-resident Tuition Policy. Classification as a "resident student" shall be based upon the required certificate and other written evidence to be filed in the admissions office.
The decision by an admissions/records officer concerning classification as a resident student may be appealed in writing by the student to the Office of the University Registrar. The student must submit a written notice of appeal no later than thirty (30) days after the date of the adverse decision. The University Registrar will review the student's appeal and render a decision affirming or overruling the decision.
A student may appeal an unfavorable decision of the University Registrar to the Residency Appellate Review Committee. The appeal must be made in writing and filed with the University Registrar's Office within thirty (30) days after the date of the University Registrar's decision. Three voting members of the Committee must be present to vote on a student's appeal. The decision of the Committee will be final as they are deemed to be the President's designee.