Georgia Residency Status

At the time of admission, a student is classified as a resident or a non-resident of Georgia for tuition purposes. The definitions of resident status for this purpose are established by the Policies of the Board of Regents of the University System and do not necessarily parallel other definitions of residency.

Eligibility Requirements for In-State Tuition

The criteria considered when determining a student’s eligibility for in-state tuition depends on a student’s status as an independent or dependent student. A dependent student is an individual under the age of 24 who receives financial support from a parent or United States court appointed legal guardian. An independent student is an individual who is not claimed as a dependent on the federal or state income tax returns of a parent or United States court appointed legal guardian, and whose parent or guardian has ceased to provide support and rights to that individual’s care, custody, and earnings.

An independent student who has not lived outside of Georgia or who:
- Moved to the state for reasons other than attending a post-secondary educational institution;
- Abandoned all ties to their previous state or country of residence;
- Has taken appropriate steps to assume the responsibilities of a Georgia resident;
- Has lived in the state for at least 12 continuous months immediately preceding the first day of classes;
- Receives no financial assistance from outside of Georgia;
- Is not claimed as a dependent on the taxes of someone who resides outside of Georgia; and,
- Is a U.S. citizen, Lawful Permanent Resident, refugee, asylee, or other eligible noncitizen as defined by federal Title IV regulations.
A dependent student whose parent or U.S. court-appointed legal guardian has not lived outside of Georgia or whose parent or U.S. court-appointed legal guardian:
- Moved to the state for reasons other than attending a post-secondary educational institution; o Abandoned all ties to their previous state or country of residence;
- Has taken appropriate steps to assume the responsibilities of a Georgia resident;
- Has lived in the state for at least 12 continuous months immediately preceding the first day of classes;
- Receives no financial assistance from outside of Georgia; and o Is a U.S. citizen, Lawful Permanent Resident, refugee, asylee, or other eligible noncitizen as defined by federal Title IV regulations.
- In addition to the above, a dependent student of a Georgia-domiciled parent must either:
  1. Be a graduate of a Georgia high school; or
  2. Be claimed as a dependent on their Georgia-domiciled parent’s state or federal income taxes.
A dependent student of a Georgia-domiciled U.S. court-appointed legal guardian must provide evidence that the guardianship was not appointed to avoid payment of out –of-state tuition.
A full-time employee of the University System and his or her spouse and dependent children may register on the payment of resident fees.
Non-resident graduate students who hold teaching or research assistantships requiring at least one third time service may register as students in the institution in which they are employed on payment of resident fees.
Full-time teachers in the public schools of Georgia, their spouses, and their dependent children may enroll as students in the University System institutions on the payment of resident fees.
Military personnel and their dependents stationed in Georgia and on active duty, except military personnel assigned to System institutions for educational purposes, shall pay the same fees assessed residents of Georgia. Upon proper documentation, those relocating to Georgia immediately upon discharge may register as residents.
All aliens shall be classified as non-resident students; provided, however, that an alien who is living in this country under a visa permitting permanent residence shall have the same privilege of qualifying for resident status for fee purposes as a citizen of the United States.
International students who attend institutions of the University System under financial sponsorship of civic or religious groups located in this State may be enrolled upon the payment of resident fees, provided the number of such international students in any one institution does not exceed the quota approved by the Board of Regents for that institution.
If the parents or legal guardian of a minor change his or her legal residence to another state following a period of legal residence in Georgia, the minor may remain classified as in-state for tuition paying purposes, provided the student remains continuously enrolled.
In the event that a legal resident of Georgia is appointed as a guardian of a non-resident minor, such minor will not be permitted to register as a resident student until the expiration of one year from the date of court appointment, and then only upon proper showing that such appointment was not made to avoid payment of the non-resident fees.
Career Consular Officers and their dependents who are citizens of the foreign nation which their Consular Officer represents and who are stationed and living in Georgia under orders of their respective government, shall be entitled to enroll in University System institutions on payment of resident fees. This arrangement shall apply to those Consular Officers whose nations operate on the principle of educational reciprocity with the United States.

Change in Residency Status

Individuals who enter the institution as non-resident students but later qualify as legal residents must fill out a Petition for Residency Classification form, which can be found at the Office of Admissions Forms webpage. To assure that proper consideration is given to requests for changes in residency classification, students should submit a Petition for Residency Classification at least 20 days prior to the beginning of the term in which they plan to enroll. A student’s residence status is not changed automatically, and the burden of proof that the student qualifies as a legal resident under the regulations of the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia rests with the student.