Residency

There are different tuition rates for Utah residents and for non-residents, based on Utah state law. For all eligibility requirements and exceptions, read the Utah law and the policy and procedures that govern residency reclassification requests:

NOTE: The University of Utah does not charge non-resident tuition for summer term so all students enjoy summer classes at the in-state tuition rate.

Also, we will honor residency status granted by another Utah state institution, unless the residency classification was obtained under false pretense or the facts at the time of the granting of residency have significantly changed.

Residency Status

Your initial residency classification is made in the admissions process. Once you have been admitted, your official letter of acceptance will tell you what your residency classification is. You may apply for reclassification after you meet the requirements below.

Undergraduate Residency Requirements

For residency reclassification, undergraduate students must:

Reside in Utah for twelve continuous months prior to the first day of class.
Documents to prove physical presence include pay stubs from an employer inside the state of Utah or a transcript showing you were enrolled in on-campus classes at a Utah college/university. (Examples of documents that cannot prove physical presence include W-2 forms, rent agreements, or utility bills.) You may travel outside Utah, but your absences cannot total more than 30 days during the twelve months.
Not be claimed as a dependent of a person who is not a resident of Utah on the most recent Federal tax returns.
You may be asked to provide your most recent federal tax return and/or your parent's most recent federal tax return. (We will only need a copy of the tax return itself, including the signature page.) An applicant applying for residency reclassification for Summer 2011, Fall 2011, or Spring 2012 would be required to provide a copy of the federal tax return for the tax year 2010. And,
Take steps to become a resident of Utah.
Obtain a Utah driver's license, Utah voter registration, and Utah car registration at least 90 days prior to the first day of the semester you wish to be considered a resident.

Graduate Residency Requirements

The University of Utah maintains different residency requirements for graduate students in the School of Medicine than all other graduate students.

For residency reclassification, graduate students (Non-Medical) must:

Earn 40 graduate level semester credit hours at the University of Utah, over 12 or more continuous months and,
Take steps to become a resident of Utah.
Obtain a Utah driver's license, Utah voter registration, and Utah car registration at least 90 days prior to the first day of the semester you wish to be considered a resident.

Graduate Medical Students

Non-resident graduate students entering the School of Medicine are not eligible for residency reclassification after being enrolled, and will pay tuition at the Non-resident rate for the duration of their medical school studies.

Medical students may establish residency before starting Medical School classes by meeting the undergraduate or graduate (non-medical) residency requirements listed above. Once medical school classes begin, medical students with a non-resident classification will maintain it throughout their studies. Possible exceptions to this policy will be found in Board of Regents Rule R512-6.

Apply for residency reclassification

All students eligible for a reclassification of their residency status must complete the residency application and submit it with the required supporting documentation.

Since you will be submitting your residency application within the 12-month residency period, you will be expected to continue providing proof of physical presence even after the residency application is submitted. You will be allowed to continue submitting documentation required to prove eligibility for reclassification until the second Friday of the semester.

Apply for residency reclassification by the deadline:

Fall Semester	July 1
Spring Semester	November 1
Summer Semester	April 1

The Admissions Office will start to process residency applications for Summer Term beginning April 16, 2012. We will start to process Fall Semester residency applications after the summer tuition deadline of May 30, 2012.

If you have attended another Utah System of Higher Education school within the past year as a resident, you may obtain a letter from the other Utah school and submit it to our office instead of filing the full residency reclassification application.

Application for Residency Reclassification (pdf)

Residency Exceptions

If you have moved to Utah for non-academic reasons, you may be eligible for an exception to the time requirement (undergraduate students) or to the credit hours requirement (graduate students).

Exceptions include:

United States Armed Forces Personnel who are Utah residents prior to active duty assignment or deployment outside Utah.
A dependent child of United States Military parents whose state of legal residence and home of record is Utah.
Marriage to a Utah resident.
Full-time, permanent employment in Utah.
Spouse's or parent's full-time work.
A parent domiciled in Utah for at least 12 months.
Extenuating circumstances.
Immigrant placed in Utah as political refugee.
Job Corps students.
Participation in Olympic Training Program.
Membership of an American Indian Tribe (Not all tribes qualify; see Board of Regents Policy).
Member of Utah National Guard.
Active duty United States Armed Forces personnel who are residents of other states but stationed in Utah.
Recipient of educational benefits (full tuition and fees) from a Utah State Social Services agency.

Please read the Board of Regents Policies and Procedures R512 for detailed information on how to qualify under one of these exception categories. Most exceptions will be covered by the Application for a Residency Exception (pdf), but if you do not find your exception listed, you must complete the Application for Residency Reclassification (pdf).

Residency and Citizenship

Some non-citizen students may be eligible for Utah residency for in-state tuition rates. Non-citizen students who meet the residency requirements above may be eligible if they have one of the following:

Have Permanent Resident status and a resident alien card,
Have received the Notice of Action form after submitting an I-485 Application to Adjust to Permanent Resident Status, or
Have a H visa or L visa, with "dual intent" to establish a permanent residence in the U.S.