Utah Residency for Tuition Purposes
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Residency Deadlines
Spring 2026
- Priority deadline to meet the tuition and fee payment: December 1, 2025
- Final deadline: January 26, 2026
Fall 2026
- Priority deadline to meet the tuition and fee payment: August 1, 2026
- Final deadline: September 21, 2026
Information Sessions
Attend a residency info session in TSC 229, Big Blue Room and get your questions answered.
- Jan. 22, 2026 | 4-5PM
- Apr. 8, 2026 | 4-5PM
In the meantime, continue to email your questions to residency@usu.edu.
Residency Information
For further residency information and questions, please contact the Admission Office.
Location: Taggart Student Center 102
Phone: 435-797-1079
Fax: 435-797-3708
Email: residency@usu.edu
Mailing Address
Office of Admissions
Taggart Student Center 102
Logan, UT 84322-0160
Residency Application
Before Applying for Residency
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Review the residency exemption you plan to apply under and its requirements.
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Understand that by submitting a residency application you agree to the following:
- You understand the information you provide in your residency application will be used to determine your eligibility for residency for tuition purposes.
- You understand if any of the information and documentation provided is found to be false, you will be liable for payment of all non-resident charges from which you were exempted, and you may be subject to disciplinary action by the institution.
- You understand the burden of proof is on you to prove that you are eligible to be granted resident student status by the appropriate deadlines for the semester you seek to attend as a resident student based on the requirements of The Board of Regents Policy 512.
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Review the Using the ServiceNow Portal for Residency Purposes guide for a detailed list of instructions and important information to help you through the residency application process.
Apply for Residency
Please fill out the online application for residency. Be advised that applications take 1-2 weeks to be reviewed from the date they are submitted.
After Applying for Residency
All communication on your application will default to your USU email address. If you have not received an update two weeks after applying, please email residency@usu.edu.
For information on tuition deadlines and payment options, visit usu.edu/registrar/payment.
General Exemptions
To be eligible to apply for residency for tuition purposes, you must meet the requirements of an exemption and have one of the following statements apply (Utah Code Title 53H):
- I am a U.S citizen.
- I have applied for or been granted Permanent Resident Status.
- I have applied for or been granted Refugee Status.
- I have applied for or been granted Asylum Status.
- I have applied for or been granted Humanitarian Parole Status.
- I have applied for or been granted Temporary Protected Status.
- I have been granted a Special Immigrant Visa.
- Copy of your Utah driver’s license, vehicle registration, and voter registration showing they were obtained at least three months prior to the semester to which an individual applies for Utah residency for tuition purposes:
- Fall Semester: May 1st
- Spring Semester: October 1st
- Pages 1–2 of your Parents' most recently filed 1040 federal tax return (both pages of the 1040 form, with Social Security numbers, banking information and other sensitive information redacted) showing that you were NOT claimed as a dependent by anyone who is not a resident of Utah. This is required if you are under the age of 25 and not married. If you are married, you will need to submit pages 1-2 of either your Parents' or your own most recently filed 1040 federal tax return showing that you are not or cannot be claimed as a dependent due to being married. For example, if a student is applying for Fall 2025 residency, we require the federal tax return for the 2024 tax year showing that the student is not claimed as a dependent. This is the minimum required document to show proof of financial independence per the Utah System of Higher Education Rule 512.5.2.3.2. Please note that W-2 forms cannot be used to verify financial independence.
- Proof of physical presence in Utah for the most recent 12 continuous months. Cannot be out of the state of Utah for more than a total of 29 days during the 12-month period, including for summer work even if it is for a Utah-based company (e.g., summer sales, FSY, family businesses, etc.) Any days that a student cannot prove their presence in Utah by one of the accepted methods will count against the 29 day total. Students are expected to submit documentation proving any days they leave the state of Utah. This includes all holiday breaks. All submitted documentation is subject to review; acceptance is not guaranteed. Acceptable documents include any one or a combination of the following:
- Academic transcript showing you attended in-person classes at any Utah college or university. If you are registered for at least one in-person class at USU for any or all of the fall, spring and both sessions of the summer semesters, then we will look at that in our system and use that as proof that you were in Utah from the first day of the semester until the last day of finals. Students do not need to provide their USU transcript for proof. Summer semesters at USU are resident rate tuition for everyone regardless of residency status.
- Entire copy of a rental contract showing the Utah address, your name, rental period, and the landlord’s and your signatures (we do not accept rental contracts written by friends or family)
- USU Housing Statement (email info@housing.usu.edu for a copy of your statement)
- Proof of employment: pay stubs or a letter from your Utah employer. (Pay stubs must have the company's Utah address, pay period, and your name. The letter must be on company letterhead and include the signature of employer or supervisor, signature date, and dates of employment). We do not accept W-2 forms for proof of physical presence.
- Monthly bank statements that show you are making in-person transactions in Utah at least twice a week (every 3-5 days)
American Indian enrolled on the tribal rolls of a tribe whose reservation or trust lands lie partly or wholly within Utah or whose border is at any point contiguous with the border of Utah:
- Proof of Tribal Membership (“Certification of Blood”)
- These tribes are:
- Confederated Tribes of the Goshute Indians
- Navajo Nation (Diné)
- Northwestern Band of Shoshone Nation of Utah (Washakie)
- Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah (Cedar City Band of Paiutes, Kanosh Band of Paiutes,
Koosharem Band of Paiutes, Indian Peaks Band of Paiutes, Shivwits Band of
Paiutes, and Kaibab Band of Paiutes) - Skull Valley Band of Goshute Indians of Utah
- Ute Indian Tribe of the Uintah and Ouray Reservation
- Ute Mountain Tribe of the Ute Mountain Reservation
- Hopi
- Zuni
- Shoshone-Bannock Tribe
American Indian who is a member of a federally recognized tribe and has graduated from a Utah high school:
- Proof of Tribal Membership ("Certificate of Blood")
- High School Diploma
- Copy of your Utah driver’s license, voter and vehicle registration
- Copy of your government-issued marriage certificate
- Copy of spouse’s Utah driver’s license
- Copy of spouse’s Utah state tax return for the year prior to marriage
- This will be the TC-40 form.
- Must have lived at least 4 months in Utah prior to applying for admission to school
- Student’s full-time permanent employment in Utah due to job transfer or recruitment
- Letter, on company letterhead, from the Utah employer, verifying the full-time employment, hire date and verification of employer-requested job transfer or recruitment
- Copy of your Utah driver’s license, voter and vehicle registration
- Verification of financial independence showing that you are not claimed as a tax dependent on the federal tax return of any person who is not a resident of Utah
- This will be both pages of the 1040 form with social security numbers redacted.
- Parent’s full-time permanent employment in Utah due to job transfer or recruitment
- Must have lived at least 4 months in Utah prior to applying for admission to school
- Letter, on company letterhead, from the Utah employer, verifying the full-time employment, hire date and verification of employer-requested job transfer or recruitment
- Copy of your parent’s Utah driver’s license, voter and vehicle registration
- Most recent federal tax return showing you as a tax dependent of one of your parent’s
- This will be both pages of the 1040 form with social security numbers redacted.
- Spouse’s full-time permanent employment in Utah due to job transfer or recruitment
- Must have lived at least 4 months in Utah prior to applying for admission to school
- Letter, on company letterhead, from the Utah employer, verifying the full-time employment, hire date and verification of employer-requested job transfer or recruitment
- Copy of spouse’s Utah driver’s license, voter and vehicle registration
- Marriage license or certificate
- Be a long-term Utah resident who is away temporarily for school, volunteer service or temporary employment
- Copy of your Utah driver’s license, voter and vehicle registration
- A copy of your Utah state tax return filed during your temporary absence from the state.
- School: Verification of your residency status and payment of non-resident tuition at the
out-of-state school - Volunteer service: Letter from appropriate organization verifying your dates of service (must include the beginning and end dates, location, and be signed and dated by
appropriate official) - Temporary Employment: Letter from the applicant explaining the nature of the temporary employment and reason for doing this employment out of Utah.
- Copy of parent's Utah driver’s license, voter and vehicle registration
- Copy of Utah parent’s most recent Utah state tax return
- This will be the TC-40 form
- Most recent federal tax return showing you as a tax dependent of one of your parent’s
- This will be both pages of the 1040 form with social security numbers redacted.
- Birth certificate if the parent that resides outside of Utah claimed you as a tax dependent
- Extenuating circumstances (such as divorce, death of spouse, and long-term health care responsibilities of family members)
- Copy of your Utah driver’s license, voter and vehicle registration
- Verification of financial independence showing that you are not claimed as a tax dependent on the most recent federal tax return of any person who is a not a resident of Utah
- This will be both pages of the 1040 form with social security numbers redacted.
- Documentation of the extenuating circumstance (all relevant evidence concerning the motivation for the move to Utah shall be considered on a case-by-case basis)
- Signed and completed appeal form
- Letter from your Social Services Counselor verifying the agency is paying your educational expenses
- The state aid must at least cover the full cost of resident tuition.
- Letter verifying your current participation in Utah Job Corps
- Complete the Team USA In-State Tuition Athlete Verification
- Submit form to ACE.edu@usoc.org to obtain your NGB and USCO approval
Military Exemptions
Residency applications under military exemptions are taken up until the last day of the semester. For example, a student applying under a military exemption for Fall 2023 has until the last day of the Fall 2023 semester to submit their application and all required documentation.
- Copy of military veteran’s DD-214, showing an honorable or general discharge and at least 180 days of service
- Copy of military veteran’s DD-214, showing an honorable or general discharge and at least 180 days of service
- Evidence the student is the veteran's immediate family member with any ONE of the following:
- Front and back of student's Military ID
- Copy of the dependent child's birth certificate
- Copy of the government issued marriage certificate
- Copy of the Military Veteran's most recent federal tax return showing student filed jointly or is claimed as a dependent. This will be both pages of the 1040 form with social security numbers redacted.
Any ONE of the following:
- Service Member's current active duty orders
- Front and back of current Military ID showing military duty status
- Enlistment into active duty documentation or Reservist enlistment
- Leave and Earnings Statement
- Letter from current commander verifying military duty status
Any ONE of the following:
- Service Member's current active duty orders
- Front and back of current Military ID showing military duty status
- Enlistment into active duty documentation or Reservist enlistment
- Leave and Earnings Statement
- Letter from current commander verifying military duty status
- Evidence the student is an immediate family member with any ONE of the following:
- Front and back of student's military ID
- Copy of the dependent child's birth certificate
- Copy of the government issued marriage certificate
- Copy of the Service Member's most recent federal tax return showing student filed jointly or is claimed as a dependent. This will be both pages of the 1040 form with social security numbers redacted.
- Certificate of eligibility
- A signed and written declaration that the eligible person will utilize G.I. Bill benefits during the same semester that they are seeking resident student status
- In addition to submitting the above documents with your online residency application, contact the USU Veterans Resource Office for steps to certify your benefits at https://www.usu.edu/veterans/
- Front and back of current Military ID AND any ONE of the following:
- Most recent Military orders
- Enlistment into Utah National Guard documentation
- Leave and Earnings Statement showing Utah National Guard status
- Letter from current commander verifying Utah National Guard status
- Evidence the student is an immediate family member with any ONE of the following:
- Front and back of student's military ID
- Copy of the dependent child's birth certificate
- Copy of the government issued marriage certificate
- Copy of the Utah National Guard Member's most recent federal tax return showing student filed jointly or is claimed as a dependent. This will be both pages of the 1040 form with social security numbers redacted.
- The DOD civilian's current United States Department of Defense identification card
- A statement from the DOD civilian's current commander, or equivalent, stating that the DOD civilian is assigned in Utah
- The DOD civilian's current United States Department of Defense identification card
- Copy of the DOD civilian's current orders or a statement from the DOD civilian's current commander, or equivalent stating the DOD civilian's current assignment
- Evidence that the DOD civilian is domiciled in Utah which may include any one of the following:
- Current Utah voter registration card
- Valid Utah driver license or identification card
- Current Utah vehicle registration
- Copy of a Utah income tax return, in the name of the DOD civilian or DOD civilian's spouse filed as a resident
- Proof that the DOD civilian or DOD civilian's spouse owns a home in Utah, including a property tax notice for property owned in Utah
- The DOD civilian's current United States Department of Defense identification card
- A statement from the DOD civilian's current commander, or equivalent, stating that the DOD civilian is assigned in Utah
- Evidence the student is the DOD civilian's immediate famliy member with any ONE of the following:
- Copy of the dependent child's birth certificate
- Copy of the government issued marriage certificate
- Copy of the DOD civilian's most recent federal tax return showing student filed jointly or is claimed as a dependent. This will be both pages of the 1040 form with social security numbers redacted.
- The DOD civilian's current United States Department of Defense identification card
- Copy of the DOD civilian's current orders or a statement from the DOD civilian's current commander, or equivalent, stating the DOD civilian's current assignment
- Evidence that the DOD civilian is domiciled in Utah which may include any one of the following:
- Current Utah voter registration card
- Valid Utah driver license or identification card
- Current Utah vehicle registration
- Copy of a Utah income tax return, in the name of the DOD civilian or DOD civilian's spouse filed as a resident
- Proof that the DOD civilian or DOD civilian's spouse owns a home in Utah, including a property tax notice for property owned in Utah
- Evidence the student is the DOD civilian's immediate family member with any ONE of the following:
- Copy of the dependent child's birth certificate
- Copy of the government issued marriage certificate
- Copy of the DOD civilian's most recent federal tax return showing student filed jointly or is claimed as a dependent. This will be both pages of the 1040 form with social security numbers redacted.
Foreign Service Family Act of 2021 Exemptions
Residency applications under Foreign Service Family Act exemptions are taken up until the last day of the semester. For example, a student applying under a Foreign Service Family Act exemption for Fall 2023 has until the last day of the Fall 2023 semester to submit their application and all required documentation.
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Chiefs of mission
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Ambassadors at large
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Members of the Senior Foreign Service who are the corps of leaders and experts for the management of the Service and the performance of its functions
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Foreign Service officers who have general responsibility for carrying out the functions of the Service
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Foreign Service personnel, United States citizens who provide skills and services required for effective performance by the Service
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Foreign national employees, foreign nationals who provide clerical, administrative, technical, fiscal, and other support at Foreign Service posts abroad
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Consular agents, appointed by the Secretary of State, who provide consular and related services as authorized by the Secretary of State at specified locations abroad where no Foreign Service posts are situated
- Copy of current foreign service assignment orders (with sensitive information redacted)
- Statement from current commander or equivalent stating your foreign service member status
- Evidence that the service member's domicile is Utah which may include any one of the following:
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- Utah voter registration card
- Utah driver’s license or identification card
- Utah vehicle registration
- Most recent TC-40 (Utah state tax return)
- Rental agreement showing your name, a Utah address, the rental period, and the landlord’s and tenant’s signatures
- Mortgage statement showing your name and a Utah address
- Utility bills showing your name and Utah address
- Copy of current foreign service assignment orders (with sensitive information redacted)
- Statement from current commander or equivalent stating your foreign service member status and that the foreign service member is assigned in Utah
- Copy of current foreign service assignment orders (with sensitive information redacted)
- Statement from current commander or equivalent stating your foreign service member status
- Copy of the foreign service member's most recent federal tax return showing student filed jointly or is claimed as a dependent (This will be both pages of the 1040 form with social security numbers redacted.)
- Evidence that the service member's domicile is Utah which may include any one of the following:
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- Utah voter registration card
- Utah driver’s license or identification card
- Utah vehicle registration
- Most recent TC-40 (Utah state tax return)
- Rental agreement showing your name, a Utah address, the rental period, and the landlord’s and tenant’s signatures
- Mortgage statement showing your name and a Utah address
- Utility bills showing your name and Utah address
- Copy of current foreign service assignment orders (with sensitive information redacted)
- Statement from current commander or equivalent stating your foreign service member status and that the foreign service member is assigned in Utah
- Copy of the foreign service member's most recent federal tax return showing student filed jointly or is claimed as a dependent (This will be both pages of the 1040 form with social security numbers redacted.)
Absence from Utah
The Utah residency policy, R512, allows students to be absent from the state of Utah for more than 29 days during their 12 continuous months for certain programs required by the institution. These programs include institutional internships, institutional courses or study abroad programs. In order for an absence to be waived, you must be receiving academic credit and the program must be required for graduation.
Steps to Submit Form:
- Complete the Absence from Utah Form.
- Email the completed form to residency@usu.edu for verification.
NOTE: Providing this form does not guarantee an absence will be waived. Final approval must come from the Residency Office.
Appeal a Residency Decision
Students who need to contest a residency classification decision or who have extenuating circumstances preventing them from meeting the general residency requirements will need to fill out a residency appeal.
Appeals and all required documents must be submitted through the ServiceNow Residency Application at least one month before the last day of the semester for which students are seeking residency status. No retroactive changes will be made. Applicants are notified in writing of the decision of the Residency Appeals Committee through their A# email address. Submitting this form does not mean that the appeal will be approved.
Steps to Submit Appeal:
- Complete the Residency Appeal Form.
- Follow the instructions listed at the top of the appeal form.
NOTE: Submitting this form does not mean that your appeal will be approved.
Residency Verification Letter Request
If you need verification of your residency status at Utah State University sent to another school, complete the following steps. Residency verificaton letters are sent via letter or email to the school requested.
Steps for Verification Request:
- Complete the Residency Verification Request Form.
- Email the completed form to residency@usu.edu.
Requests are usually processed within 3-5 business days.
Frequently Asked Questions
We are required to see pages 1–2 of your parents most recently filed 1040 federal tax return (both pages of the 1040 form, with Social Security numbers, banking information and other sensitive information redacted) showing that you were NOT claimed as a dependent by anyone who is not a resident of Utah. This is required if you are under the age of 25 and not married. If you are married, you will need to submit pages 1-2 of either your parents or your own most recently filed 1040 federal tax return showing that you are not or cannot be claimed as a dependent due to being married. For example, if a student is applying for Fall 2025 residency, we require the federal tax return for the 2024 tax year showing that the student is not claimed as a dependent. This is the minimum required document to show proof of financial independence per the Utah System of Higher Education Rule 512.5.2.3.2. Please note that W-2 forms cannot be used to verify financial independence.
Not on this basis alone. A student must meet the requirements of the 12-month rule or an exemption outline by the R512 policy.
If you do not hold a valid driver’s license from any state and you do not drive, you are required to provide a Utah ID card and a signed and dated statement written by you, certifying that you do not have a driver’s license in any state. See the Utah Department of Public Safety's website for details on applying for a Utah driver’s license or ID card. If you do have a driver's license in any other state besides Utah, you will need to obtain a Utah driver's license.
If you did not obtain your Utah driver’s license at least three months prior to the semester you are seeking in-state tuition for, you may be asked to provide a written statement and additional documentation. Decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis.
The USU Registrar’s Office is able to provide a class schedule and billing statement for address verification purposes. Please note that USU academic transcripts do not include your address on them. The Registrar’s Office is located in the TSC Room 246.
Not if you do not own it. For residency for tuition purposes, if the vehicle is owned by the student and in their name, it must be registered in Utah. See the Utah Division of Motor Vehicles website for details on registering a vehicle in Utah.
You can register in-person when obtaining your Utah driver’s license or online at vote.utah.gov. Acceptable documentation includes your voter registration card, confirmation email, or a screenshot of your voter record.
It depends. If you are on an Alumni Legacy Nonresident Waiver 1 that was awarded to you after July 2018, then you are eligible to gain residency. If you are on an Alumni Legacy Nonresident Waiver 1 that was awarded prior to July 2018, or if you are on an Alumni Legacy Nonresident Waiver 2 or 3, then you are not eligible to gain residency through the traditional 12-month process. Please check your scholarship agreement or contact the Admissions Office at admit@usu.edu if you are unsure of your Legacy
Waiver situation.
Waiver situation.
No. In fact, any time spent utilizing the WUE scholarship does not count towards the 12-month timeline of living in Utah. This scholarship is intended for the student to keep their home residency. There are a few exceptions to this rule, such as, marrying a Utah resident or if your parent(s) permanently move to Utah.
It is your responsibility to be able to prove your physical presence in Utah for the required 12-months. As the tuition and fee payment is generally earlier than when a student meets the 12-month rule, we may be able to temporarily approve a student’s application one month prior to completing their 12 months. This temporary approval is made with the expectation that the student will submit their remaining physical presence verification by the final semester deadline, or they will be changed back to a nonresident. Please note, all other required documents must be submitted prior to this temporary conditional approval.
If you are living outside of Utah for the majority of the semester taking only online classes, you will be charged Out-of-State Online tuition which does not factor residency status in the amount. Out-of-State Online students pay a flat rate per credit hour for online courses. For more information, visit usu.edu/online/cost.
Can I be granted Utah residency if I served a religious mission in Utah?
- Yes! Students serving religious missions in Utah can use this time toward gaining residency for tuition purposes. You must obtain a Utah driver's license and register to vote in Utah before you are released from your mission, prove that you were not claimed as a dependent on the most recently filed federal tax return, and you will need to provide verification you served 12 continuous months in Utah — not any of the surrounding states. Additionally, you will need to complete the online residency application before you are released or within 30 days of your released date.
- Please email residency@usu.edu if you plan to serve a religious mission and are seeking residency for tuition purposes. You will need to live in Utah for at least 12 continuous months, apply for residency with all required documents attached to your application, and be approved residency BEFORE you leave Utah.
- No. Students cannot be out of the state of Utah for more than a total of 29 days during the 12-month period, including for summer work, even if it is for a Utah-based company (e.g., summer sales, FSY, family businesses, etc.) Any days that a student cannot prove their presence in Utah by one of the accepted methods will count against the 29 day total.
- The only time an absence from Utah for more than 29 day may be waived is for institutional internships, institutional courses or study abroad programs that you are receiving academic credit for, and if it is required for graduation from your academic program. Or for extenuating circumstances such as death of an immediate family member, medical emergencies, and military training or call to active-duty.
No. Once you have gained residency, you hold your new residency status through the end of your current academic program as long as you continue to maintain your ties to Utah and your financial independence.
No.