Idaho Residency for Tuition Purposes

Requirements to Establish Idaho Residency

There are two components to establish Idaho residency for tuition purposes: Pathway and Domicile. Applicants first determine which Pathway (numbered 1 through 8) that all conditions are met for, and then second domicile requirements only if noted as required* by the selected Pathway (some pathways do not require domicile), in order to qualify as an Idaho resident for tuition purposes.

PATHWAYS

1. Dependent Student
   Student is a dependent of parent/legal guardian who has been domiciled in Idaho for at least 12 months prior to the term the student is applying for residency. The parent/guardian must demonstrate maintenance of a bona fide domicile* in Idaho for at least 12 months.
2. Independent Student
   Student is not a dependent of parent/legal guardian, has continuously resided in and can demonstrate maintenance of a bona fide domicile* in Idaho for purposes other than education for at least 12 months prior to the term applying for residency.
3. Graduate of Idaho High School
   Student graduated from an accredited high school in Idaho, is domiciled in Idaho and matriculates within 8 years immediately following high school graduation.
4. Elementary/Secondary Education Completed in Idaho
   Student completed 6 years of elementary and/or secondary school in Idaho, is domiciled in Idaho and matriculates within 8 years immediately following high school graduation.
5. Married to an Idaho Resident
   Student is married to a person who is classified, or eligible for classification, as an Idaho resident for the purposes of attending an Idaho public institution. Spouse must demonstrate maintenance of a bona fide domicile* in Idaho for at least 12 months prior to the term applying for residency. *If the student has been enrolled full-time during the prior 12 months, then residency must be based on self under the Independent Student pathway 2.
6. Armed Forces
   Any independent student, spouse, or parent/guardian of a dependent student who meets one of the following criteria. Armed Forces includes US Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and the reserve forces of those groups; it does not include related civilian employees.
   
   1. Member of Armed Forces who entered service as an Idaho resident, has maintained Idaho resident status, but is stationed outside of Idaho on military orders.
   2. Member of Armed Forces stationed in Idaho on military orders.
   3. Officer or enlisted member of the Idaho National Guard.
   4. Member who has separated under honorable conditions after at least 2 years of service and enters an Idaho public institution within 1 year of separation date:
      • Who at the time of separation designated Idaho as intended domicile or
      • Who listed Idaho as home of record in service
   5. Member who has separated under honorable conditions after at least 2 years of service and who moves to Idaho for purpose of establishing domicile; provided, however, to maintain status as a resident student, must actively establish domicile* within 1 year of registration at an Idaho public institution.
7. Member of Idaho Native American Indian Tribe
   Student who is a member of one of the following tribes: Coeur d'Alene, Eastern Shoshone, Kootenai, Nez Perce, Shoshone-Paiute, Shoshone-Bannock, or Northwestern Shoshone.
8. Graduate or Professional Student at Idaho Institution
   
   • Graduated from an Idaho institution of higher education and
   • Physically resided in Idaho for at least final 12 months of undergraduate studies and
   • Earned a baccalaureate degree that meets admission standards into the graduate or professional program and
   • Enrolls within 36 months after receiving baccalaureate degree

DOMICILE

Domicile is an individual's true, fixed and permanent home and place of habitation. Establishment of Idaho domicile is supported by demonstrating the following criteria has been maintained for a minimum of 12 months prior to the start of the term. Follow the applicable track option only if domicile* is required by selected pathway:

TRACK A: For Independent undergraduate students enrolled full-time during the prior 12 months must prove these minimum requirements:

• Permanent full-time (30+ hours/week or 120+ hours/month) employment in Idaho AND
• Filing of an Idaho state resident tax return for the prior year

TRACK B: For Parent/guardian, spouse, or independent student not enrolled full-time in the prior 12 months must prove these minimum requirements:

• Permanent full-time (30+ hours/week or 120+ hours/month) employment in Idaho AND
• Filing of an Idaho state resident tax return for the prior year

     OR establishment of at least FIVE of the following factors:

• Ownership or leasing of residence in Idaho
• Registration and payment of Idaho taxes or fees (vehicle), other than income tax
• Registration to vote in Idaho
• Holding Idaho driver's license or ID card
• Evidence of abandonment of previous domicile
• Establishment of accounts with Idaho financial institutions
• Other similar factors such as: 1) enrollment of dependent children in Idaho primary or secondary schools; 2) acceptance of permanent employment in Idaho; 3) documentation of need to care for relative in Idaho; 4) utility statements; or 5) employment documentation

TRACK C: For Graduate or professional students who can demonstrate full-time enrollment at an institution of higher education in Idaho.

Applying for Residency

WHEN TO APPLY

Applications are accepted for Fall semester starting in July and for Spring semester starting in December. The deadline to submit applications is the 10th day of the semester, however all qualifications must have been met for a minimum of 12 months before the first day of the semester.

Residency is not reviewed for summer as non-resident tuition is not charged.

WWAMI and WIMU residency certifications are accepted during the secondary application review period. The deadline for certification is determined by UW and WSU respectively.

Students will be emailed a decision within 3-5 business days after receipt of application. Please allow time for review and processing.

HOW TO APPLY

Step 1: Thoroughly review the requirements first to ensure qualifications are met and can be documented.

Step 2: Worksheets are divided into sections. Read and follow the University of Idaho instructions carefully to complete only the section(s) for the Pathway (numbered 1 through 8)  applying under. Do not change any questions on the worksheet.

Section 1 General Information of the worksheet must be completed by all applicants. U of I students must use VandalMail; WWAMI and WIMU applicants may use a personal email. Term and year seeking residency for WWAMI or WIMU is when starting program (e.g. Fall 2023).

Applicants who are not US citizens, must also read and complete the Attestation of Lawful Presence to include with their worksheet and documentation.

Step 3: Collect copies of the required documentation, noted on the right side of the University of Idaho Instructions for each required Section and associated questions (do not use worksheet document notations). All documents must be in the name of person on whom residency is being based (student, spouse, or parent/guardian). Applicants may be asked to supply additional documentation, if needed, after initial review of their application.

Step 4: For Student Certification section, the student/applicant must personally sign to attest to the accuracy of all information for any selected Pathway. Parent, Guardian, Spouse Certification only required if residency is based on another person; that individual must also personally sign to attest to the accuracy of the information.

Step 5: Submit original signed worksheet with copies of required documentation by postal mail or in-person.

WORKSHEETS (fillable PDF documents)

• University of Idaho Students
• WWAMI Medical Education Applicants
• WIMU Veterinary Medical Applicants

SUBMIT IN PERSON
Registrar's Office, Bruce Pitman Center Room 119

OR

SUBMIT BY MAIL
Office of the Registrar
University of Idaho
875 Perimeter Drive MS 4260
Moscow, ID 83844-4260