Residency for Tuition Purposes

*Note: Other requirements may apply. For further residency information, please contact the USU Admissions office at (435) 797-1079 or visit us in person at the Taggart Student Center, Room 102.

New Residency Law: How does this apply to YOU?

Declaring Utah residency = $8,000 savings per year!
Because of the change in the residency law, you can now become a Utah resident after one year.

Individuals are encouraged to take advantage of the new law and to establish residency as soon as possible; which will enable you to pay instate tuition and save approximately $8,000 per year.

The information provided is to help you understand the residency law passed by the Utah Legislature in February 2007. For current information regarding residency requirements, please refer to the Utah System of Higher Education's web site. Because the law takes effect on July 1, 2007, any time spent in Utah prior to this date cannot be counted toward the 12-month requirement. Please read the requirements provided below carefully and contact the Admissions Office if you have questions about a specific situation.

To qualify as a resident student for tuition purposes, an individual must:

Option A (after July 1, 2008)

  • Be a US Citizen or have Permanent Resident Status.
  • Live in Utah for 12 continuous months.
  • Not be claimed as a dependent on tax returns by anyone not a resident of Utah.
  • Sign a written declaration that they have relinquished residency in any other state.
  • Obtain a Utah driver's license at least three months prior to submitting an application for residency.

OR

Option B

  • Be a US Citizen or have Permanent Resident Status
  • Live in Utah while completing a minimum total of 60 semester credit hours at a regionally accredited institution of higher education in Utah. The 60 semester credit hours do not have a time frame for completion. (Utah semester credits should not be broken by attendance at a school outside of Utah.)
  • Sign a written declaration that they have relinquished residency in any other state.
  • Obtain a Utah driver's license several months prior to submitting an application for residency.
  • Each person who applies for Utah resident status for tuition purposes is considered on an individual basis. Additional documentation may be required based upon review of each application including Utah voter registration, evidence of employment in Utah, proof of payment of Utah income taxes for the previous year, Utah vehicle registration, etc.

Exceptions: There are provisions in the law that enable a person to be granted Utah residency for tuition purposes as an exception to A and B listed above. A few exceptions are listed below, but please contact the Admissions Office for more information regarding requirements and restrictions for each exception.

  • Dependent children and spouses of those who obtain full-time employment and move to Utah.
  • Certain individuals recruited or transferred to Utah with full-time employment.
  • Certain persons who have a parent who is a resident of Utah.
  • Persons who marry a Utah resident. (The spouse must be a Utah resident before the marriage.)
  • Active-duty military personnel with current duty station in Utah can pay resident tuition while they are stationed here. Also, there are some exceptions for certain military members who are deployed while attending school.
  • Native Americans who are registered on the tribal rolls of Tribes whose lands are contiguous to Utah. (Documentation required.)

*Note: WUE recipients are not eligible to apply for residency for tuition purposes using the time spent receiving the WUE.

Application Process for Utah Residency for Tuition Purposes
Application for Utah Residency for Tuition Purposes (PDF)
The residency application can be downloaded in Adobe Acrobat PDF file, completed, and printed out from your computer. (If you don't have Adobe Acrobat Reader, you can download it here.) Upon completion of the application, send it, along with photocopied supporting documentation, to the Admissions Office at the address below.

Admissions
Taggart Student Center 102
0160 Old Main Hill
Logan, UT 84322-0160

Fax: (435) 797-3708
Phone: (435) 797-1079