Residency Verification for TSU Tuition Rates
Your Texas residency status directly determines whether you will be charged the resident or non-resident tuition rate at Texas Southern University. The Texas Legislature establishes the guidelines and standards for residency and tuition classifications.
Please note that the review process for determining residency can vary, and final decisions may not be available before tuition and fee deadlines. It is the student's responsibility to ensure that appropriate payment arrangements are made on time.
What Texas Residents Need to Know
Even if you live in Texas, you might be classified as a nonresident if you don't fully meet the residency criteria as defined by Chapter 21 of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Rules. It is critical that you complete every question in the residency section of your admission application accurately and completely.
Double-check your email and postal addresses on your application to catch and correct any mistakes early, ensuring you receive the correct tuition classification.
What Out-of-State Residents Need to Know
Tuition for out-of-state students in Texas can be significantly higher than for residents—with nonresident tuition and fees at Texas Southern University exceeding $11,000 per semester for a full course load. Keep in mind that leasing an apartment for a year alone may not meet the residency qualifications. Out-of-state applicants must fully commit to becoming Texas residents by satisfying one of the established residency criteria to qualify for in-state tuition rates.
Texas Residency
Texas law classifies each person who applies for admission to a Texas public college or university as:
- A resident of Texas
- A nonresident
- A foreign (international) student
How you’re classified is important because it determines whether you pay nonresident tuition or in-state tuition. Being a resident also qualifies you to apply for financial aid awarded by the state.
Determining Residency
When you apply for admission, the university uses information you provide on the admission application to make an initial determination about residency. This determination will remain on your student record and continue each semester in which you are enrolled, if no changes are made.
Rules for Texas residency classification for University tuition are different from residency rules for voting, obtaining a Texas driver’s license, or tax purposes. Chapter 21 of Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Rules establish how residency is determined for higher education in the state of Texas and includes the following provisions covering some of the more common residency situations. They are neither exhaustive nor complete. Some edits have also been made to enhance readability.
Establishing Texas Residency
Individuals can establish residency in two basic ways, one based on establishing domicile and the other based on graduation from high school. The option related to establishment of domicile is available to citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. and to international students who hold certain types of visas.
Military
A member of the United States Armed Services whose Home of Record with the military is Texas is presumed to be a Texas resident, as are his or her spouse and dependent children. A member whose Home of Record is not Texas but who provides the institution Leave and Earnings Statements that show the member has claimed Texas as his or her place of residence for the 12 consecutive months prior to enrollment is presumed to be a Texas resident, as are his or her spouse and dependent children.
A member who did not select Texas as their Home of Record when they entered the service, and has not taken steps to change their permanent residence with the military to Texas, may still qualify for a waiver under Texas statutes. Information about requesting a reclassification of residency status is provided in the next section.
Requesting Reclassification
Sometimes students submit incorrect information or information that makes it appear as though they are nonresidents, when they actually do qualify for Texas residency. In other cases, students who were initially ineligible for Texas Residency classification upon admission may later become eligible. If a student currently classified as a nonresident believes they qualify for Texas Residency, they have the option to request residency reclassification.
To request a residency review, submit a Residency Reclassification Request form, along with a completed Core Residency Questionnaire. Additional supporting documentation is required to show the student, or the parent or court-appointed legal guardian of a dependent student, has met the requirements to be classified as a Texas resident.
The Texas Administrative Code regarding residency requires a student (or their parent or spouse) to be physically present and establish domicile in Texas for 12 months prior to term in which they are enrolling. Therefore, please do not submit your residency request prior the dates listed below for the specified semester:
| Semester Enrolling | Date Reclassification Requests are Accepted |
|---|---|
| Spring | November 1 |
| Summer | April 1 |
| Fall | July 1* |
*Applicants who are high school seniors who will graduate in May/June may submit residency requests for the Fall term beginning in June.
An incomplete Residency Reclassification Request form, core residency questionnaire, and/or insufficient documentation will delay the review and processing of the request.
Deadlines
Students must submit the Residency Reclassification Request form, a core residency questionnaire, and supporting documentation no later than the first class day of the semester for which they are seeking reclassification. Any residence status changed after the census day will apply the next applicable semester.
Review Process
The Residency Office will review the Residency Reclassification Request, the core residency questionnaire, and the supporting documentation. After this initial review, and throughout the review process, additional documentation may be requested. The decision made by the Residency Office is final.