Tuition Residency Exemptions and FAQ

The state of Utah residency policy, R512, determines a student who has come to Utah for the purpose of attending an institution of higher education may gain residency for tuition purposes if they meet the criteria of an exception listed below. Review the details on this page to learn more about the different residency exceptions, requirements, and frequently asked questions. 

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Non-Military Exemptions Military Exemptions Frequently Asked Questions

Information Sessions

We host info sessions to help answer questions about the residency process in TSC 229, Big Blue Room.

  • Spring 2023 Dates TBD
In the meantime, you may continue to email your questions to residency@usu.edu.

Non-Military Exemptions

Twelve continuous months in Utah and declaring financial independence

  • Twelve continuous months of physical presence in Utah and declaring financial independence
  • Be a U.S. citizen or have permanent resident, asylum, or refugee status in the U.S.
  • Obtain a Utah driver’s license, vehicle registration and voter registration at least three months prior to the semester to which an individual applies:
    • Fall Semester: May 1
    • Spring Semester: October 1
  • 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 not a resident of Utah. This will be both pages of the 1040 form.
  • 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 30 days during the 12 month period.
    Acceptable documents include:
    • An academic transcript verifying you were enrolled in on-campus classes at a Utah college or university.
    • A rental contract/agreement that shows your Utah address, the rental period, and your signature(s).
    • Copies of pay stubs, one per month, or a letter from a Utah employer (letter must be on company letterhead, dated, include from and to dates of employment and be signed by someone authorized to verify your employment)
    • We do not accept W-2 forms or letters from friends/family as verification of physical presence in Utah.

Marriage to a Utah resident

  • Utah driver’s license, voter and vehicle registration
  • Marriage license or certificate
  • Spouse’s Utah driver’s license
  • Copy of spouse’s Utah state tax return for year prior to marriage

Student’s full-time permanent employment in Utah

  • Student’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
  • Verification of financial independence showing that you are not claimed as a tax dependent on the federal tax return of any person who is a not a resident of Utah
  • Utah driver’s license, voter and vehicle registration

Parent’s full-time permanent employment in Utah

  • 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
  • Be a U.S. citizen or have permanent resident, asylum, or refugee status in the U.S.
  • Letter, on company letterhead, from the Utah employer, verifying the full-time employment, hire date and verification of employer-requested job transfer or recruitment
  • Most recent federal tax return showing you as a tax dependent of one of your parent’s
  • Parent’s Utah driver’s license, voter and vehicle registration

Spouse’s full-time permanent employment in Utah

  • 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
  • Marriage license or certificate
  • Spouse’s Utah driver’s license, voter and vehicle registration

Dependent child with a parent domiciled in Utah for twelve continuous months

  • Dependent child with a parent domiciled in Utah for at least twelve continuous months
  • Parent's Utah driver’s license, voter and vehicle registration
  • Be a U.S. citizen or have permanent resident, asylum, or refugee status in the U.S.
  • Copy of Utah parent’s most recent Utah state tax return
  • Most recent federal tax return showing you as a tax dependent of one of your parent’s
  • Birth certificate if the parent that resides outside of Utah claimed you as a tax dependent

Utah resident away for school, volunteer service or temporary employment

  • Be a U.S. citizen or have permanent resident, asylum, or refugee status in the U.S.
  • 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)
  • Temporary Employment: Letter from the applicant explaining the nature of the temporary employment and reason for doing this employment out of Utah.

Extenuating circumstances

  • Extenuating circumstances (such as divorce, death of spouse, and long-term health care responsibilities of family members)
  • Be a U.S. citizen or have permanent resident, asylum, or refugee status in the U.S.
  • Must have lived at least 4 months in Utah prior to applying for admission to school
  • 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
  • Documentation of the extenuating circumstance (all relevant evidence concerning the motivation for the move shall be considered on a case-by-case basis)
  • Signed and completed appeal form

Recipient of state social or rehabilitation services

Letter from your Social Services Counselor verifying the agency is paying your educational expenses

Participation in Olympic Training Program

Job Corps student

Letter verifying your current participation in Utah Job Corps

Membership of an American Indian Tribe

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, and Shivwits 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

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Military Exemptions

U.S. military veteran or immediate family member

  • Copy of military veteran’s DD-214
  • Military veteran’s most recent federal tax return showing joint filing or claimed as a dependent (if spouse or dependent child)
  • Evidence of intent to establish Utah as permanent residence, which may include any one of the following:
    • Utah voter registration card
    • Utah driver’s license or identification card
    • Utah vehicle registration
    • Evidence of employment in Utah(pay stubs or employment letter)
    • Rental agreement showing your name and a Utah address 
    • Utility bills showing your name and Utah address

Military service member or immediate family member assigned to active duty within Utah

  • Copy of military orders or military paperwork for reservists or Utah National Guard members
  • Copy of current Military ID (if you are a dependent child or spouse, include Military Privilege card)

Eligible person entitled to benefits under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 30, Montgomery G.I. Bill – Active Duty Educational Assistance Program; Chapter 33, Post 9/11 Educational Assistance Program; or Chapter 35, Dependent Education Assistance Program

  • Evidence of eligibility under Title 38 U.S. Code Chapter 30, Montgomery G.I. Bill – Active Duty Educational Assistance Program; Chapter 33, Post 9/11 Educational Assistance Program; or Chapter 35, Dependent Education Assistance Program. Students may obtain verification through the Veterans Resource Office
  • Evidence of intent to establish Utah as permanent residence, which may include any one of the following:
    • Utah voter registration card
    • Utah driver’s license or identification card
    • Utah vehicle registration
    • Evidence of employment in Utah(pay stubs or employment letter)
    • Rental agreement showing your name and a Utah address 
    • Utility bills showing your name and Utah address

An individual who maintains residency in Utah with an intent to return but is serving on active duty outside of Utah (includes cases where the student is a spouse or dependent child)

  • Copy of military service member’s most recent military orders
  • Copy of current Military ID (if you are a dependent child or spouse, include Military Privilege card)
  • Military service member’s most recent federal tax return showing joint filing or claimed as a dependent (if spouse or dependent child)
  • Evidence the military service member has not relinquished residency ties to Utah, which may include any one of the following:
    • Utah voter registration card
    • Utah driver’s license or identification card
    • Utah vehicle registration
    • Copy of a Utah income tax return, in military service member's or their spouse's name, filed as a Utah resident
    • Proof military service member or their spouse owns a home in Utah

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Frequently Asked Questions

Will the zip code I enter when registering for classes affect my residency?

This response does not determine or disqualify you from residency for tuition purposes.

Which tax forms will I need to verify my Financial Independence?

We require a copy of your most recent federal tax return or, if you did not file yourself, you will need to provide a copy of your parents’ most recent federal tax return. You will submit both pages of the 1040 form with social security numbers redacted. For example, if a student is applying for Fall 2022 residency, we require federal tax returns for the 2021 tax year. Please note that W-2 forms cannot be used to verify financial independence. 

If I moved to Utah at the end of August, and tuition is due before I hit my year-mark, can I still be granted Utah residency?

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 can approve a student’s application one month prior to completing their 12 months. This 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 approval.

Can I leave the state of Utah during my 12 continuous months to satisfy the requirements for an institutional internship, institutional course or study abroad program?

The Utah residency policy, R512, allows students to be absent from the state for certain programs required by the institution. In order for an absence to be waived, you must be receiving academic credit and the program must be required for graduation. Please complete the Absence From Utah For the Purpose of Required Institutional Programs form and email it to residency@usu.edu for verification. Providing this form does not guarantee an absence will be waived. Final approval must come from the Residency Office.

How do I register to vote 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.

If I do not own the vehicle I am using, do I have to register it in Utah?

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. 

What if I do not hold a driver’s license from any state and do not drive; how can I meet this requirement?

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. See the Utah Department of Public Safety's website for details on applying for a Utah driver’s license or ID card.

Where can I obtain school documents to verify my address for the DMV?

The USU Registrars 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 Registrars Office is located in the TSC Room 246.

I did not get my Utah driver’s license by the deadline, can I still be granted Utah residency?

If you did not obtain your Utah driver’s license at least three months prior to the semester you are applying for, you may be asked to provide a written statement and additional documentation. Decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis.

I am on the Alumni Legacy Nonresident Waiver, can I gain Utah residency?

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.

I am on the WUE (Western Undergraduate Exchange) scholarship, can I gain Utah residency?

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.

How do I obtain a residency verification letter to send to another school?

If you need verification of your residency status sent to another school, please fill out the Request for Residency Verification Form and submit it to http://resdoc.usu.edu. Requests are usually processed within 3-5 business days.

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 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.

For further residency information, please contact our office using the information below:

Office of Admissions

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

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