Residency through Texas High School Graduation

To receive in-state tuition, students must fulfill the following requirements:

1. Graduate from a Texas high school or receive a GED in Texas; and
2. Live in Texas for 36 consecutive months immediately before high school graduation; and
3. Live in Texas for the 12 months immediately before the census date (usually 12th class date) of the semester in which you enroll at the University of Texas at San Antonio; and
4. Submit an official high school transcript with the final graduation date posted on the transcript or Texas GED certificate along with the Core Residency Questionnaire (as part of the admissions process).
5. Students who are non-citizens or non-permanent residents, to include students classified under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA), must also submit a signed and notarized Affidavit stating that the student will apply for permanent residency when they are eligible to do so and provide proof of lawful presence in the U.S. by:
   • Submitting a valid and unexpired U.S. passport
   • Submitting a valid and unexpired permanent resident card
   • Submitting a valid and unexpired Texas driver’s license
   • Submitting a valid and unexpired Texas ID card
   • Submitting a valid and unexpired Employment Authorization Document (EAD)
   • Providing documentation of a valid F or J student immigration status
   • Providing documentation of an active, unexpired DACA status
   • Providing documentation of an active, unexpired asylum status
   • Providing documentation of an active, unexpired temporary protective status (TPS)
   • Students can also review the Texas Department of Public Safety verifying lawful presence document to verify if they could receive a Texas Driver’s License, thus proving lawful presence.

Dependent (18 years of age or older) — residency is based upon that of the parent or court-appointed legal guardian who claims the individual as a dependent for federal income tax purposes for the current and preceding year. Dependent (less than 18 years old) — residency is based upon that of the parent or court-appointed legal guardian with whom the individual resides. Please note: if the parent is a resident of another state (other than Texas) then the student’s residency status is the same as the parents’ and will pay out of state tuition.

Establishing Residency for Dependent Individuals

To establish residency, the parent or court-appointed legal guardian of the dependent student must meet all three criterion below:

1. Parents/Guardian Lives in Texas

Physically reside in Texas and have for the 12 consecutive months immediately prior to the census date of the semester in which the student enrolls in a Texas public college or university. Submit one of the following items:

• Texas driver’s license or Texas ID card that has not expired and shows an origination date at least 12 months prior to the census date of the semester in which a student enrolls
• Texas voter registration card issued at least 12 months prior to the census date of the semester in which a student enrolls
• Utility bills listing name and Texas address for the 12 consecutive months preceding the census date of the semester in which a student enrolls
• Texas bank statements listing name and Texas address for the 12 consecutive months preceding the census date of the semester in which a student enrolls
• Apartment lease or rental of residential property listing name and Texas address for the 12 consecutive months preceding the census date of the semester in which a student enrolls

2. Parents/Guardian Works in Texas

Establish significant gainful employment in Texas for a period of 12 consecutive months immediately prior to the census date of the semester in which a student enrolls in a Texas public college or university. Submit applicable documentation listed for one of the following options:

• Gainful Employment or Income – Employment that is sufficient to provide at least one-half of the individual’s tuition and living expenses or represents an average of at least 20 hours per week. It can be proved by an employer letter, pay stubs or other sources of income (e.g., pensions, Social Security, veterans’ benefits, savings). Note: Employment conditioned on student status, such as work study, the receipt of stipends, fellowships, or research or teaching assistantships does not constitute gainful employment.
• Public Assistance – The individual is unemployed and living on public assistance, which can be proved by written statements from one or more social service agencies located in Texas confirming 12 months of continuous service.
• Property Ownership – Sole or joint marital ownership of residential real property in Texas, which can be proved by a Warranty Deed, etc.
• Marriage to a Texas Resident – Marriage Certificate or Declaration of Registration of Informal Marriage with documentation to support the spouse has maintained domicile in Texas.
• Business Ownership – Ownership and customary management of a business in Texas, which is regularly operated without the intention of liquidation for the foreseeable future.

3. Parents/Guardian Files Taxes

Provide recent income tax return for the parent or court-appointed legal guardian that lists student as a dependent.

Independent – individuals who are no longer claimed on their parents’ or court-appointed legal guardian’ income tax return for the current and preceding year can file their residence information on their own. Residency is based upon the individual.

Establishing Residency for Independent Individuals

To establish residency, independent students must meet all three criteria below:

1. Live in Texas

Physically reside in Texas and have for the 12 consecutive months immediately prior to the census date of the semester in which the student enrolls in a Texas public college or university. Submit one of the following items:

• Texas driver’s license or Texas ID card that has not expired and shows an origination date at least 12 months prior to the census date of the semester in which a student enrolls
• Texas voter registration card issued at least 12 months prior to the census date of the semester in which a student enrolls
• Utility bills listing name and Texas address for the 12 consecutive months preceding the census date of the semester in which a student enrolls
• Texas bank statements listing name and Texas address for the 12 consecutive months preceding the census date of the semester in which a student enrolls
• Apartment lease or rental of residential property listing name and Texas address for the 12 consecutive months preceding the census date of the semester in which a student enrolls

2. Work in Texas

Establish significant gainful employment in Texas for a period of 12 consecutive months immediately prior to the census date of the semester in which a student enrolls in a Texas public college or university. Submit applicable documentation listed for one of the following options:

• Gainful Employment or Income – Employment that is sufficient to provide at least one-half of the individual’s tuition and living expenses or represents an average of at least 20 hours per week. It can be proved by an employer letter, pay stubs or other sources of income (e.g., pensions, Social Security, veterans’ benefits, savings). If a student is living off previous earnings, the earnings must total at least one-half of the cost of attendance for the academic year. Note: Employment conditioned on student status, such as work study, the receipt of stipends, fellowships, or research or teaching assistantships does not constitute gainful employment.
• Public Assistance – The individual is unemployed and living on public assistance, which can be proved by written statements from one or more social service agencies located in Texas confirming 12 months of continuous service.
• Property Ownership – Sole or joint marital ownership of residential real property in Texas, which can be proved by a Warranty Deed, etc.
• Marriage to a Texas Resident – Marriage Certificate or Declaration of Registration of Informal Marriage with documentation to support the spouse has maintained domicile in Texas.
• Business Ownership – Ownership and customary management of a business in Texas, which is regularly operated without the intention of liquidation for the foreseeable future.

3. File Taxes

Provide a recent income tax return to show the student is not claimed as a dependent.

Persons in the military and their families are presumed to maintain the same legal residence which was in effect at the time of entering the military service during their entire period of active service. Persons stationed in Texas are presumed not to establish a legal residence in Texas because their presence is not voluntary but under military orders.

Establishing Residency through Military Service

Military-affiliated students can submit one of the following:

• If students have maintained their legal residence in Texas throughout their military service, they will need to provide a copy of their LES (leave and earning statement) from a year ago and a current LES.
• If students are a dependent of a parent or a spouse who is active duty stationed in Texas, they may qualify for the military waiver for tuition purposes but will need to fill out the Military Duty Statement and submit the form to the Office of the Registrar.
• Copy of the service member’s active duty orders stationing them in Texas.

Veterans’ Benefits Option

Veterans, along with their spouses and dependents, who can demonstrate eligibility for federal VA educational benefits, which include the Post-9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33) and Dependent Education Assistance (Chapter 35), qualify for in-state tuition rates. Students must provide the Certificate of Eligibility (COE) to the Center for Military Affiliated Students (CMAS) to qualify. Students can contact the CMAS office for questions related to VA educational benefits and eligibility requirements.