Residency FAQs

Tuition classification is a complex issue. Each application is individually reviewed. Not all circumstances can be addressed in this brief summary. If you wish to discuss your individual case, please contact Lydia Niemczyk in the Office of the Registrar at (678) 915-5550 or lydia@spsu.edu.

Policies are subject to change with minimal notice. Please review the Board of Regents’ web site at www.usg.edu. Section 400 of the Policy Manual contains the residency regulations. Section 700 of the Policy Manual contains the available waivers of out-of-state tuition. Please note:

Georgia

tuition classification and waivers of the out-of-state tuition are not available to persons who are not in this country under a legal status.

How do I establish in-state tuition classification?
To be eligible for classification as a resident for tuition purposes, you must meet the criteria established by the Georgia Board of Regents and Georgia state law. To qualify as an independent student there is certain general criteria that must be met. You must provide clear and convincing evidence to satisfy the following criteria:

• Always having resided in Georgia or can demonstrate that you currently reside in Georgia and residence in any other state or country has been abandoned. Maintenance of ties with another state or country will contribute to a non-resident decision and include, but are not limited to, such things as: financial support from a person who is a resident of another state or country, payment of income taxes to another state, registering a vehicle or securing a driver’s license in that state or country.

• Having lived in Georgia for the 12 consecutive months immediately preceding the start date for the term and your 12-month durational requirement has not included time attending any educational institution in Georgia on a full-time basis.

• Demonstrating that you moved to Georgia for purposes other than attending any educational institution in the State of Georgia.

• Demonstrating economic self-sufficiency and contributing to the state by paying meaningful taxes.

• Being a U.S. citizen, Resident Alien or in a visa status permitting indefinite or permanent residence in the United States.

• Being a U.S. citizen, Resident Alien or in a visa status permitting indefinite permanent residence in the United States and

• Demonstrating that you previously held residency status in Georgia but moved from the state and returned within the last 12 months.

For more information, please read the Board of Regents' regulation for determining residency.

There are also waivers of the 12 months of presence allowed by state law. For general information refer to the Board of Regents' out-of-state tuition waivers. For additional information or to secure the appropriate form, please contact us at (678) 915-5550, visit us in the Office of the Registrar, or review our web page: www.spsu.edu/registrar/residencyhomepage.html .
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I am a student who is transferring to SPSU. How can I establish in-state status?
For more specific information or to secure the appropriate petition forms, contact the Records Section in the Office of the Registrar at (678) 915-5550. You may send your e-mail questions to Lydia Niemczyk at lydia@spsu.edu. The forms may also be accessed at www.spsu.edu/registrar/residencyhomepage.html
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When can I petition for in-state status?
To insure timely completion of required processing, prior to registration, a student/applicant requesting a change of classification for specific term should file the Petition for Classification of Students for Tuition Purposes and all supporting documentation no less than 20 working days prior to registration for that term. This is the priority deadline. Final determination of Georgia residence classification prior to the final date for fee payment cannot be guaranteed for petitions received after the priority deadline.

If the petition is not filed by the priority deadline, it must be filed no later than the last day of late registration for the term in question. If the petition is granted, reclassification will not be retroactive to prior terms. Failure to file a petition within the time prescribed shall constitute a waiver of the right to file a petition for that semester.
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I have been classified as an out-of-state student by the Admissions Office, but I will be in for 1 year by the time the semester begins. Can I be classified as an in-state student?
Being in Georgia for 1 year does not necessarily classify you as an in-state student. You will need to meet the requirements listed above. Once a student has been classified as a non-resident by Admissions, he/she would need to petition for change of status.
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I am a continuing student; will my status automatically change after 1 year?
No, any student wanting to be classified must initiate the process by contacting the Records Section of the Office of the Registrar and submitting a petition by the appropriate deadline (www.spsu.edu/registrar/residencyhomepage.html).
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Another college in Georgia sees me as an in-state student; doesn't that mean I am an in-state student at SPSU?
No, not necessarily. Even if another college classifies you as an in-state student, you may not be classified as such here at SPSU. You must meet either the guidelines to be considered as an in-state student for tuition purposes at SPSU.
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If I marry a Georgia resident, can I be classified as an in-state student?
A student’s status is separate from that of a spouse. However, there are waivers which may cover your situation.
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I own property in Georgia; doesn't that make me eligible for in-state tuition?
No, owning property in Georgia does not automatically qualify you for in-state status. It is but one of the factors which would be reviewed.
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My significant other (boyfriend, girlfriend, or fiancé) supports me; does this make me financially independent?
No, in order to meet the financial independent guideline you must be self-supporting. However, we can use a spouse’s income for support, in addition to your own.
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My support is from a trust/investment account; is that considered independent?
Trusts and investments can be considered acceptable for self-support if certain criteria are met. It will be important for you to document any withdrawals during the twelve month self-support time period.
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If my parents move to Georgia before I start classes at SPSU, when can I attend with in-state status?
As long as a parent makes a complete and permanent move to Georgia, you can be classified as an in-state student twelve months after his/her relocation. You will need to file a petition for change of status by the appropriate deadline in order to be re-classified. It should be noted that there is also a waiver which may cover your situation. Please view the Board of Regents’ web site at www.usg.edu. (Section 700 of the Policy Manual).
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I lived in Georgia for many years with my parents, but we moved out of state. Am I still considered to hold in-state status?
No, the status of a minor or dependent student is determined by the parents’ domicile. You lost your Georgia status when you moved. You must re-establish in-state status as an independent student.
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What if my parents have moved out of Georgia, but I have stayed here?
Since there are numerous situations which may apply, it is best if you discuss your circumstances with a specialist in the Records Section of the Office of the Registrar.
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I have moved to Georgia to live with family (other than parents). They are residents; can I be classified as an in-state student as their dependent?
No, status under the dependent exception is based on parents only.
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I have guardians who are Georgia residents. Can I be classified as an in-state student based on being their dependent?
Status can only be based on your guardians under certain circumstances. It is best for you to discuss your situation with a specialist in the Records Section of the Office of the Registrar.
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I have always been a Georgia resident, but I have been in the military. Why was I classified as an out-of-state student from my admissions application?
Your status is based upon the data on your application and there may be many different scenarios. It is best if you discuss your situation with a specialist in the Records Section of the Office of the Registrar.
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I am a military person who is not from Georgia. I am getting out and want to move to Georgia. Can I be considered an in-state student?
No, however there is a waiver for which you may qualify. Please view the Board of Regents’ web site at www.usg.edu (Section 700 of the Policy Manual).
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I am stationed in Georgia on active duty. Can I be classified as an in-state student for tuition purposes?
Unless you have been paying Georgia income taxes on all of your income for the past twelve months, the answer is no. However there is a waiver for which you may qualify. Please view the Board of Regents’ web site at www.usg.edu (Section 700 of the Policy Manual).
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Can I qualify for the company transfer waiver if my fiancé or significant other is the transferred employee?
No, the company transfer policy does not apply to fiancés or significant others. You would need to be married before the transfer takes effect in order to be eligible for this exception.
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I am a teacher and want to take classes; can I pay in-state tuition?
Yes, you may qualify though a waiver of the out-of-state. Please view the Board of Regents’ web site at www.usg.edu (Section 700 of the Policy Manual).
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I am not a U.S. citizen and hold a visa; can I qualify for in-state status?
It depends upon your visa status and/or type. The Board of Regents’ regulations state:

“Noncitizens initially shall not be classified as "in-state" for tuition purposes unless there is evidence to warrant consideration of in-state classification. Lawful permanent residents, refugees, asylees, or other eligible noncitizens as defined by federal Title IV regulations may be extended the same consideration as citizens of the United States in determining whether they qualify for in-state classification. International students who reside in the United States under nonimmigrant status conditioned at least in part upon intent not to abandon a foreign domicile are not eligible for in-state classification.”

If you do not qualify for in-state status you may, however, qualify for a waiver of the out-of state tuition. Please review the Board of Regents’ website.
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I had an F1 visa but I have married a U.S. citizen; can I now qualify as an in-state student?
It is best if you discuss your situation with a specialist in the Records Section of the Office of the Registrar.
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K. Students enrolled in University System institutions as part of Competitive Economic Development Projects.

P. Economic Advantage. (Please complete the Application for Reclassification of Residence)

R. Nonresident Student. (Please complete the Application for Reclassification of Residence)

For complete information on these waivers, please view the Board of Regents’ web site at www.usg.edu (Section 700 of the Policy Manual). For the requisite forms, please contact the Records Section of the Office of the Registrar at (678) 915-5550 or lydia@spsu.edu or visit www.spsu.edu/registrar/residencyhomepage.html