Residency

Residency Guidelines

How Residency Classification Works

Your initial residency classification is determined automatically when you apply for admission, based on multiple factors from your application and guidelines established by the Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR). 

Residency Petition Process

To request reclassification: Submit a residency petition with supporting documentation. You are responsible for providing objective evidence that proves you meet the requirements for in-state tuition rates.

Eligibility: Only current, admitted, term-activated students classified as non-residents can submit petitions through the residency petition dashboard.

Required Steps:

1. Complete the online questionnaire before the petition deadline
2. Submit your supporting documents before the document deadline
3. Pay $50 petition fee before the document deadline (when applicable)

Critical Information

Deadlines

Missing any deadline forfeits your right to request reclassification for that semester.

Documentation Requirements

Required documents are determined by your questionnaire responses. Petitions lacking sufficient objective evidence will be denied. Statements of intent do not constitute adequate proof.

Student Presumptions

All petitions are evaluated against four presumptions:

1. Non-resident students are in Arizona primarily for education, not to establish domicile
2. Individuals cannot establish residency while in Arizona primarily for education
3. Full-time students cannot establish residency for tuition purposes while enrolled
4. Residency decisions are typically made after completing education

Burden of Proof

Students must provide documentation proving eligibility for in-state classification. Verbal testimony and statements of intent carry limited weight given the financial benefit of reclassification.

Fees

$50 non-refundable petition fee applies to independent, dependent, spouse, and transferred employee petitions. Military, Veteran, ROTC, American Indian, AmeriCorps/VISTA, and Teacher Waiver petitions are fee-exempt.

Processing

Average processing time is 4-6 weeks. Submit your petition before the priority deadline if you need a decision before classes begin.

Petition Status Tracking

Monitor your petition through the petition dashboard. Status updates include:

• In queue: Ready for review
• Documents needed: Additional documentation required
• Contact residency: Office needs to speak with you
• Pending: Under secondary review
• In review: Decision forthcoming within 7-10 days
• Approved/Denied: Final decision rendered

Important: All correspondence will be sent to your ASU email address. Check your email regularly and respond promptly to any requests.   

Important Policies

Integrity

Misrepresentation or falsification may result in disciplinary action, including dismissal or forfeiture of reclassification rights.

Financial 

You remain responsible for non-resident tuition rates until your reclassification is officially approved. If applicable, refunds will be issued, but late fees and payment plan charges are non-refundable.

Financial aid impact: Residency changes may affect your financial aid eligibility, potentially reducing future awards or requiring repayment of funds already received.

Committee Review

If your petition is denied, you may request review by the Residency Review Committee within the specified deadline.

Special Circumstances

International Students

Students with visas requiring foreign domicile or prohibiting Arizona domicile establishment cannot qualify for resident classification. Please see visa types and residency eligibility list for additional information.

Out-of-State Campuses

Students at ASU locations outside Arizona must demonstrate Arizona domicile to qualify for resident status.

Additional Resources

• Arizona revised statutes 
• Arizona Board of Regents' (ABOR) 
• Non-Resident Tuition Rate for Arizona High School Graduates.
• Arizona Prop. 308
• Questions: Contact the Residency Office