Arizona Board of Regents
Summary for Classification of Students for Tuition Purposes

III. Establishing Resident Status:

1. The deadline to submit a petition for classification as a resident shall be the last day of registration for credit as published by each university. Failure to file a petition within the prescribed time period is considered a waiver of the right to file for that semester.
2. A student seeking resident status is responsible for establishing by clear and convincing evidence of all elements needed for such a classification. All evidence for residency classification is weighed under the presumption that a non-resident student's presence in Arizona is primarily for the purpose of an education and not to establish domicile which is usually decided after the completion of education and not before.
3. Whether the evidence is sufficiently clear and convincing depends not only on the amount of evidence presented, but also its reliability, authenticity, credibility, and relevance as determined by the officer or committee reviewing the evidence presented.
4. Relevant indication of one's entitlement to resident status may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the following: Objective evidence of continuous physical presence for one year; proof of financial independence for two years as demonstrated by employment; earnings and other sources of support; filing of federal and state tax returns; parents' tax returns; how and where health and auto insurance are maintained. Objective evidence of intent for one year is demonstrated by absence of ties to the former state residence; state in which motor vehicle is registered; obtaining an Arizona driver's or identification card, if a non-driver; employment history an/or assured future permanent employment in Arizona; transfer of major banking services to Arizona; information on financial aid applications; registering and voting in Arizona elections; place of prior attendance in educational institutions; marital status; work record of spouse (if applicable); designating Arizona as permanent address on all pertinent records, including selective service and military records, if applicable; ownership of real property; any other material which may have a bearing on determining domicile.
5. Once domicile in Arizona exists, it is not lost by mere absence from Arizona unaccompanied by any intention to establish a new domicile elsewhere.
6. Any student found to have made a false or misleading statement concerning domicile or tuition status is subject to dismissal from the University.
7. Each university retains the right to review and re-determine classification of students for tuition purposes in accordance with the criteria established in this policy.