Residency for Tuition Purposes

I. NON-RESIDENT TUITION POLICY

All students registering at the University of Alabama who come to the state of Alabama from another state for the purpose of attending school will be considered a "non-resident student" for tuition purposes. Classification of students as a non-resident shall be made at the time of their initial admission to the university and the non-resident status shall continue unchanged through all registrations at the university until and unless satisfactory evidence is provided supporting that the student's reason for coming to and remaining in the state has changed. Documents which are at least one (1) year old from the date of issue are often, but not always, more probative than those that are less than one year old.

Furthermore, the University of Alabama will default the resident code to non-resident during the admissions process if any out of state information is received (i.e. transcript, out of state address) or if the student has been away from the university for a year or more. The out of state code will remain until documentation is received that demonstrates that the student is either a resident who attended an out of state institution or has not left the state during the 12 month absence.

A "resident student" is one who, at the time of admission to the university:

  • 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; or
  • 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 registration (first day of classes) 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);
    • Has been a member of the Alabama National Guard for a period of at least two years immediately preceding the student qualifying for resident tuition and continues to be a member of the Alabama National Guard while enrolled at the public institution of higher education; OR
  • 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 [Tuscaloosa];
    • 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 registration (first day of classes) 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).

A non-resident student is one who does not meet the criteria for a "resident student" as specified in the preceding section.

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 university by its evaluation of the presence or absence of connections with the state of Alabama.

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 (verified by a copy of the most recent income tax return). 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.
III. HOW DOES A NON-RESIDENT STUDENT ESTABLISH ALABAMA RESIDENCY FOR TUITION PURPOSES?

To be reclassified for tuition purposes, one must prove by satisfying evidence that one is a “resident student.” One’s status as a resident student is determined by one of six (6) methods by proving that:

  • (a) One has a residence in the state of Alabama which means the specific address in Alabama at which they reside, that they intend to remain there indefinitely, and that they have more substantial connections with Alabama than with any other state; and
    (b) One has been a resident of the state for at least one year immediately preceding the date of registration; or
  • One 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; or
  • 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 registration (first day of classes) with the institution, or is the spouse of such an employee;
  • One 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); or
  • One 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 the Non-resident Tuition Policy statement (Lowndes and Noxubee counties in Mississippi are eligible).
  • One has been a member of the Alabama National Guard for a period of at least two years immediately preceding the student qualifying for resident tuition and continues to be a member of the Alabama National Guard while enrolled at the public institution of higher education.

If one is a minor, then the minor’s “supporting person,” as that term is defined in the Non-resident Tuition Policy statement, must meet similar tests which are described in the Non-resident Tuition Policy.

As stated in method 1(a) above, in determining whether or not one has a residence in Alabama, the University will evaluate the presence or absence of connections with the state of Alabama, including, but not limited to, the following:

  • Payment of Alabama state income taxes as a resident.
  • Military records, such as Leave & Earning Statements, showing an in-state address.
  • Ownership of a residence or other real property in the state and payment of state ad valorem taxes thereon; more significantly ownership of a residence other than the place where the student resides while in school.
  • 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.
  • Residence in the state of a spouse, parents, or children.
  • Transfer of all banking services to Alabama, such as checking and savings accounts, safe deposit boxes, and/or investment accounts.
  • 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.
  • Membership in religious, professional, business, civic, or social organizations in the state not connected to their status as a student.
  • In-state address and date 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.
  • Financial independence from non-Alabama resident parents or other relatives.

This list is not all inclusive and merely describes examples of the types of things which may show whether or not a person has more substantial connections with the state of Alabama than any other state.

For a student who is not a minor, factors which may show more connections with a state other than Alabama include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Student maintains ties with another state such as maintaining a driver's license in another state, or owning a house in another state.
  • Student begins living in Alabama shortly before or only after being admitted to attend school in an Alabama university.
  • Student lives in Alabama only while in school and returns repeatedly to another state during summer term, vacations, and holidays.
  • A parent or other person who is not an Alabama resident provides more than minimal or occasional financial support.
  • Student leaves personal possessions in another state and only brings to Alabama what is necessary for temporary stay.
  • Student receives PLUS loan money from parents who are not Alabama residents.
  • Student receives personal loans other than from a financial institution.
  • Obtains loans with co-borrowers who are non-Alabama residents.
  • Has savings that have not been in an account in the student's name for at least one year prior to the student's initial registration.
  • Receives financial aid that requires the student to be a resident of another state.
IV. INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

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 Alabama Code and Board Rule 202. More specifically, a person must be a Permanent Resident Alien, Political Asylee, Political Refugee, or who hold an A, E, G, H, I, L, O, P, R, TC, TD or TN visa to be eligible for review as an in-state resident for tuition purposes. Students who hold a B, F, J, or M visa are not eligible to establish Alabama residency unless their supporting person is an Alabama resident or is a full-time employee of a company party to an Alabama Free Trade Agreement.

V. PROCESS FOR RECLASSIFICATION APPLICATION
  • Students who wish to apply for reclassification of residence must submit an Application for Reclassification of Residency to The Office of The University Registrar by the payment confirmation deadline for the term in which they seek reclassification. Additional documentation supporting the submitted application will be accepted up to the first day of classes for that term. Applications submitted after the payment confirmation deadline will be considered for the next succeeding semester. The student bears the burden of proving that he/she is a "resident student." Classification as a "resident student" shall be based upon the required certificate and other written evidence to be filed with the Office of the University Registrar.
  • The decision by an admission's/registrar's 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.

If a student who has been previously denied a change in residency reclassification has a change in his/her status (e.g., a reason for being in the state other than to attend school, or it is his/her intent to remain in the state indefinitely), then a letter requesting re-evaluation may be submitted. Only those students whose circumstances have changed in a significant way and are able to provide sufficient additional documentation for review will be considered. Otherwise, no further reclassification requests will be considered.

Registration Payment/Confirmation deadlines cannot be extended while a student's residency is being reviewed. Refer to http://studentreceivables.ua.edu/.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Requests for reclassification for past semesters will not be considered.