For more residency information visit the Office of the Registrar. Initial Determination of Residency Status
When you apply to the University of Idaho, the Admissions Office determines your status as a resident or non-resident for tuition purposes. If you are an incoming student and have questions about your residency, contact the Admissions Office.
How Do I Become an Idaho Resident?
Following are the (lettered) options under which a student may qualify for Idaho residency; at least one of these options must be met. Under most of the options, the individual upon whom the residency is based must also prove establishment of domicile (see below).
- One or more parent(s)/legal guardian(s) of the student is a resident of the state of Idaho and provides at least 50% of the student's financial support (i.e. dependent). The parent(s)/legal guardian(s) must have maintained a bona fide domicile1 in the state of Idaho for at least 12 months prior to the semester in which the student is applying for residency. [The parent/guardian must prove establishment of domicile.]
- The student receives less than 50% financial support from their parent(s)/legal guardian(s) (i.e. non-dependent) and has continuously resided2 in and maintained a bona fide domicile1 in Idaho primarily for purposes other than education3 for at least 12 months prior to the semester in which the student is applying for residency. [The student must prove establishment of domicile.]
- The student graduated from an accredited Idaho high school and immediately following, enrolled in an Idaho college or university and has continued to be and is presently enrolled in an Idaho college or university. [The student must prove continuous enrollment in an Idaho institution.]
- The student is married to an Idaho resident. [The student's spouse must prove establishment of domicile if not a current resident student.]
- The student is a member of the Armed Forces4 stationed in the state of Idaho on military orders.
- The student is an officer or enlisted member in the Idaho National Guard.
- One or more of the student's parent(s)/legal guardian(s) is a member of the Armed Forces4 stationed in the state of Idaho on military orders and provides at least 50% of the student's financial support (i.e. dependent).
- The student is separated under honorable conditions from the Armed Forces4 after at least two years of service and at the time of separation designated the state of Idaho as their intended domicile or indicated Idaho as their home of record of service; and will be entering the university within one year of the date of separation, or who moves to Idaho for the purpose of establishing domicile; provided however, to maintain status as a resident student, such person must actively establish domicile in Idaho within one (1) year of matriculation in a public institution of higher education in Idaho. The dependent of a person who qualifies as a resident student under this paragraph and who receives at least fifty percent (50%) support from such person shall also be a resident student.
- The student has been away from the state of Idaho less than 30 months, not including time spent at an out-of-state post-secondary institution, and has not established legal residence elsewhere; and the student continuously resided2 in Idaho for at least 12 months immediately prior to departure. [Student must prove establishment of domicile for the period in Idaho.]
- The student is a member of one of the following Native American tribes: (i) Coeur d'Alene; (ii) Shoshone-Paiute; (iii) Nez Perce; (iv)Shoshone-Bannock; or (v) Kootenai.
1Domicile is an individual's permanent home; the place where they intend to remain and expect to return to when leaving without establishing a new home elsewhere.
2Continuously Resided consists of physical presence in the state of Idaho for 12 consecutive months without absences totaling more than 30 days.
3Primarily Educational Purposes is defined by a student being enrolled in more than 8 credit hours in ay semester during the past 12 month period.
4Armed Forces is defined as United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Cost Guard; it does not include National Guard from states other than Idaho and other reserve forces.
Important Notes:
- All documents are subject to verification by University of Idaho.
- All documents received by University of Idaho become the property of University of Idaho and will not be released to the applicant.
- University of Idaho evaluates credentials earned through formal academic training only. Applicants should NOT submit documentation of short-term professional development courses or other non-formal, non-academic training with their application; as such documents will not be evaluated or reflected in the University of Idaho evaluation report.
- If applicable, applicants must submit proof of name change. (Clear, legible photocopy of marriage certificate, for example.)
- Some academic institutions can take several weeks to provide transcripts so applicants may want to request their transcript at the earliest possible
- An Application and Application Fee is valid for a specific degree, major, and semester. Any change in degree, major or semester before enrollment requires a new application.
- Graduate Admissions will not disclose to an applicant reasons for denial. Graduate Admissions will encourage the student to contact the department directly and inquire how they might improve their application for future admissions. (The Department can choose to disclose or not.)