Interim University Policy 4205: Residency for Tuition Purposes

Category: Academic Affairs
Subcategory: Academic Fees & Awards
Covered Individuals: Students & Prospective Students
Responsible Executive: Vice President for Strategic Enrollment Management
Policy Custodian: Executive Director of Admissions Pathways and Engagement
Last Revised: 2026/01/28
Previous USU Policy Number: N/A
Download the PDF File for Policy 4205

4205.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE

The purpose of this policy is to ensure that Utah State University (“USU”) accurately and consistently determines residency status for tuition purposes in accordance with applicable laws and Utah Board of Higher Education (UBHE) policies. This policy applies to all USU students.

The goal of the policy is to:

  • Provide clear guidance on residency classification for tuition purposes.
  • Establish deadlines and procedures for submitting residency applications and supporting documentation.
  • Outline the appeals process for students contesting residency decisions or presenting extenuating circumstances.
  • Support students in understanding their rights and responsibilities related to residency status.
  • Maintain integrity and accountability in the administration of tuition classification decisions.

4205.2 POLICY

USU generally classifies students as residents or nonresidents for tuition purposes in accordance with Utah Code Ann. 53H-11, Parts 2 and 3 and with UBHE Policy R512, Resident Student Status. Stricter requirements for specific programs are set forth herein. USU is committed to ensuring fairness, transparency, and compliance in determining residency status for tuition purposes. Residency classification and reclassification directly impact tuition rates and eligibility for specific state-funded programs.

2.1 Deadlines

Except as otherwise set forth herein, students must submit their residency application and supporting documents by the end of the third week of the semester for which they are seeking resident student status, per the general guideline provided by UBHE Policy R512.

Students who qualify under Military Service, Department of Defense Civilian, and Foreign Service Member exemptions, as set forth in UBHE Policy R512, may submit residency applications until the last day of the semester for which the student is seeking resident student status.

2.2 Appeals

Except as otherwise set forth herein, USU follows UBHE Policy R512, which provides students the opportunity to contest their residency classification or share extenuating circumstances impacting their ability to meet general residency requirements. Information about the USU Residency Appeals process and deadline can be found at usu.edu/admissions/residency.

2.3 Utah State University College of Veterinary Medicine

For Doctor of Veterinary Medicine students, resident student status for tuition purposes is determined as follows:

  1. Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (“DVM”) applicants who claim resident student status must verify they meet all requirements to be eligible for resident tuition. A prior Utah residency classification at USU or another Utah institution does not automatically apply to the DVM program—residency must be independently determined for each DVM program applicant. The deadline to submit verifying documentation to the Residency Office is the same as the deadline for the Veterinary Medical College Application Service (“VMCAS”) application, not the applicant’s individual submission date. Eligibility for residency for tuition purposes will be determined upon USU’s timely receipt of the required verifying documentation.
  2. DVM applicants who do not meet all requirements to be eligible for resident tuition by the applicable deadline (VMCAS application deadline) shall be classified as nonresidents for tuition purposes and shall not be eligible for residency reclassification or appeal at any point during the entire duration of their participation in the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program. DVM students determined to be nonresidents for tuition purposes will be charged nonresident tuition for all four years of the DVM program.
  3. DVM applicants from a contract state who participate in the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (“WICHE”) Professional Student Exchange Program and receive state support are contractually obligated to remain classified as nonresidents for tuition purposes at USU. Such DVM students are not eligible for residency reclassification or appeal at any point during the entire duration of their participation in the DVM program. Applicants who do not participate in the WICHE program are subject to subsections 2.3 (i) and (ii) of this policy.

4205.3 RESPONSIBILITIES

3.1 Residency Officers

USU’s residency officers review and assess the documentation submitted by applicants/students for resident student status classifications and reclassifications and are authorized to make determinations as to whether such documentation meets USU’s resident tuition eligibility requirements. The residency officers are also authorized to review applications that involve extenuating circumstances or questions of policy.

3.2 Residency Committee

USU’s Residency Committee comprises the residency officers, the Director of Admissions, the Executive Director of Admissions Pathways and Engagement, and the Vice President of Strategic Enrollment Management. The Residency Committee is authorized to review applications that involve extenuating circumstances or questions of policy. The Residency Committee is also in place for those who want to appeal their residency classification decision. Except as specifically provided herein, any student denied residency may appeal to the Residency Committee. USU’s residency appeals procedure will be reviewed regularly by the Residency Committee.

4205.4 REFERENCES

Information below is not included as part of the contents of the official Policy. It is provided only as a convenience for readers/users and may be changed at any time by persons authorized by the President.

RESOURCES

Related Forms and Tools

Contacts

residency@usu.edu
USU Office of Admissions
435-797-1079

POLICY HISTORY

Original issue date: 2026/01/28
Last review date: 2026/01/28
Next scheduled review date: 2027/02/01
Previous revision dates: N/A