Residency Classification for Tuition Purposes:
Tuition classification is governed by Colorado statutes that apply to all state-funded institutions in Colorado. Institutions are bound by the provisions of this statute and are not free to make exceptions to the rules set forth.
Students are initially classified as in-state or out-of-state for tuition purposes at the time of application. The classification is based upon information furnished by the student and from other relevant sources. After the student's status is determined, it remains unchanged in the absence of satisfactory evidence to the contrary.
Once a student is classified as a non-resident for tuition purposes, the student must petition for a change in classification. Petitions must be submitted no later than the first day of classes of the term for which the student wishes to be classified as a resident. It is preferred that petitions be received 30 days prior to the beginning of the term. Late petitions will not be considered until the next semester. Specific information may be obtained from the Office of Admissions at (303) 556.2704.
The final decision regarding tuition status rests with the University. Questions regarding residence (tuition) status should be referred only to the Tuition Classification Officer (303) 556.2627. Opinions of other persons are not official or binding upon the University. Additional information is available in the brochure, Classification of Students for Tuition Purposes, which may be obtained from the Office of Admissions at (303) 556.2704
Basic Requirements for residency:
The statue provides that an in-state student is one who has been a legal domiciliary of Colorado for one year or more immediately preceding the beginning of the term for which the in-state classification is being sought. Persons over 23 years of age or who are emancipated establish their own legal domicile. Those who are under 23 years of age and un-emancipated assume the domicile of their parent or court appointed legal guardian. An un-emancipated minor's parent must, therefore, have a legal domicile in Colorado for one year or more before the minor may be classified as an in-state student for tuition purposes.
Domicile is established when one has a permanent place of habitation in Colorado and the intention of making Colorado one's true, fixed and permanent home and place of habitation. The tuition statute places the burden of establishing a Colorado domicile on the person seeking to establish the domicile. The question of intent is one of documented fact and needs to be shown by substantial connections with the state sufficient to evidence such intent. The most common ties with the state are:
- Change of driver's license to Colorado;
- Change of automobile registration to Colorado;
- Colorado voter registration;
- Permanent employment in Colorado;
- And most important, payment of state income taxes as a resident by one whose income is sufficient to be taxed.
Detailed information is outlined in the brochure, Classification of Students for Tuition Purposes, which may be obtained from the Office of Admissions.
Related Links:
- Residency Forms
- Brochure - "Classification of Students for Tuition Purposes"
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