Independent Student Reclassification

Residency Presumptions Under ABOR Policy 

When evaluating residency for tuition purposes, Arizona universities are required to begin with the following presumptions:

1. A non-resident student's presence in Arizona is primarily for educational purposes rather than to establish domicile.
2. An individual cannot establish domicile while present in Arizona primarily for educational purposes.
3. An individual cannot establish residency for tuition purposes while attending an Arizona educational institution as a full-time student.
4. Decisions regarding permanent residency and domicile are generally made after completing an education, not before. 

5. To be approved for re-classification as an Independent Student, a student must provide sufficient evidence to overcome these presumptions. 

Eligibility & Documentation

Students seeking re-classification as an Independent Student must establish, by a preponderance of the evidence: 

• Continuous physical presence in Arizona for at least 12 months immediately preceding the semester for which residency for tuition purposes is sought.
• Intent to make Arizona their permanent home and abandon any previous domicile.
• Financial independence, when applicable.
• Presence in Arizona for purposes beyond education. 

Meeting one requirement alone does not establish residency. Residency for tuition purposes determinations are based on the totality of the evidence submitted. 

Assessing Your Residency Case for Tuition Purposes

When reviewing requests for Independent Student reclassification, the University evaluates whether the student's presence in Arizona reflects a genuine intent to establish Arizona as their permanent domicile, rather than remaining in the state primarily for educational purposes.

Before submitting a petition, consider whether your circumstances and documentation help answer the following questions: 

• If you are not in Arizona primarily to attend school, what brought you to Arizona?
• Would you still be living in Arizona if you were not enrolled as a student?
• If your enrollment ended tomorrow, would you intend to remain in Arizona?
• What actions have you taken that demonstrate Arizona is your permanent home rather than a temporary location while pursuing your education? 

Students who can clearly demonstrate, through objective evidence, that Arizona has become their permanent home are generally in a stronger position to overcome the residency presumptions established in ABOR policy. 

Required Documentation

While documents such as an Arizona driver's license, voter registration, employment, or housing arrangements may be considered as part of a residency determination for tuition purposes, obtaining these documents alone generally do not establish eligibility for re-classification. Residency for tuition purposes determinations are based on the totality of the student's circumstances and evidence, including whether the student can overcome the presumptions established in ABOR policy. 

Documentation Expectations from the Student

Along with submission of the Independent Student Reclassification form, located in your student center forms library, you should expect to submit copies of the following, as applicable:

• Arizona driver's license or Arizona state identification card
• Arizona vehicle registration and/or vehicle title
• Arizona voter registration
• Proof of employment, such as:
  • pay stubs
  • Arizona tax withholdings
  • employment offer letter
  • If unemployed, provide documentation showing separation from a previous employer
• Proof of housing, such as:  
  • Lease or rental agreement
  • Mortgage statement
  • Property deed
  • Home closing documents
  • Property tax records
• Checking and savings account statements
• Money market, trust, or 529 account statements (if applicable)
• Documentation of private education loans (if applicable) 

Note: Evidence provided must demonstrate that the student intended to establish Arizona as their permanent domicile throughout the entire required 12-month period prior to reclassification. Actions taken shortly before the residency review period, may carry less weight if other evidence suggests the student's primary reason for being in Arizona is education.