Exceptions to the 12 Months of Living in AZ Policy
The tuition and residency classification policy for Arizona’s three state universities (The University of Arizona, Arizona State University, and Northern Arizona University) is set by the Arizona Board of Regents as authorized by the Arizona State Legislature. The general rule for resident classification for tuition purposes includes evidence of 12 months continued physical presence with concurrent permanent intent to be a resident of Arizona.
There are certain exceptions to the general rule. A student may also be eligible for resident status if they can establish that on or before the last day of regular registration, they meet one of the exceptions to the general rule listed below.
If you are a non-citizen, please review Visa Types & Residency Eligibility.
Deadline for Fall 2025: Students who would like a priority decision by the first day of classes for the fall term must submit all forms and supporting documentation on or before July 8, 2025. The final deadline for all residency classification forms and supporting documentation is September 2, 2025. Forms submitted after this deadline will not be considered for the fall 2025 term.
Arizona High School Graduates
High School 150
Non-resident students who have earned an Arizona high school diploma or general education diploma and attended high school in Arizona for a minimum of three years while physically present in Arizona
Qualifying Non-Citizen
Students who qualify as non-citizen and may be eligible to receive an in-state tuition rate providing they meet the two requirements outlined in Arizona Proposition 308.
Federal Service Exceptions
Federal Service in Arizona
The student is a member of a qualifying federal service who is on active duty for a period of more than 30 days and whose domicile or permanent duty station is in Arizona OR the student is the spouse or dependent child of a member of a qualifying federal service who is on active duty for a period of more than 30 days and whose domicile or permanent duty station is in Arizona.
Federal Service Outside Arizona
The student is a member of a qualifying federal service who is on active duty for a period of more than 30 days and whose domicile or permanent duty station is outside Arizona OR the student is the spouse or dependent child of a member of a qualifying federal service who is on active duty for a period of more than 30 days and whose domicile or permanent duty station is outside Arizona. In addition, the Federal Service member claims Arizona as their legal state of residence.
United States Military
Military Choice Act
The student is using Chapter 30 Montgomery GI Bill® Active-Duty (MGIB-AD), Chapter 33 Post-9/11 GI Bill®, or the Marine Gunnery Sargent John David Fry Scholarship, AND qualifies as a “covered individual” under Section 702 of The Veterans Access, Choice, & Accountability Act of 2014.
Military Honorably Discharged
A student who is a veteran discharged with a character of service of “honorable” and can provide objective evidence of intent to be a resident of Arizona.
Military Stationed in Arizona
The student is a member of the US Armed Forces (including Reserves and the National Guard) stationed in Arizona pursuant to military orders, OR is a member's spouse or dependent child at the time of admission.
Military Stationed Outside Arizona
The student qualifies under the Military Stationed Outside Arizona Exception if you meet all the requirements as noted in the link below:
Contracted ROTC Cadet in Arizona
Effective July 1, 2025 and forward
The student qualifies for residency if they are participating in a Reserve Officer Training Corp (ROTC) program in Arizona and have entered into a contractual agreement to commission as a Second Lieutenant with a branch of the military upon completion of a ROTC program
Other Exceptions
AmeriCorps/VISTA
The student qualifies for residency if they have participated in an AmeriCorps program or the Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) program for at least one year in the state of Arizona.
Citizens of Freely Associated States
The student is a citizen of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, or the Republic of Palau.
Dependent Student
The student is domiciled in Arizona and has not met the one-year durational requirement, but one or both of the student's parents are domiciled in Arizona and are entitled to claim them as a dependent child for state and federal tax purposes (whether or not the parent actually claimed the student as a dependent child).
Married AZ Resident
The student is domiciled in Arizona and has not met the one-year durational requirement, but the student’s spouse has established domicile in this state for at least one year, has demonstrated financial independence, and is entitled to claim the student as an exemption for federal and state tax purposes.
Native American
The student is an enrolled member of one of the 22-federally-recognized Arizona tribes and can verify tribal affiliation.
Teachers on Contract
The student is an employee of a school district in this state and is under contract to teach on a full-time basis, or is employed as a full-time non-certified classroom aide, at a school within that school district.
Transferred Employee
The student is domiciled in Arizona, has not met the one-year durational requirement, is an employee (or spouse of an employee) transferred to Arizona by their employer for employment purposes, and is NOT self-employed or employed in a family-owned business not previously operating in Arizona.