Independent students are those who provide more than half of their own financial support and are not eligible to be claimed as a dependent for income tax purposes. A person is entitled to classification as a resident for tuition purposes if that person:

1. Establish a residence in Texas not less than 12 consecutive months (1 year) before the census date of the academic semester in which the person enrolls in the institution of higher education, and
2. Maintained the residency in Texas continuously for the 12 months (1 year) leading up to the census date of the academic semester in which the person enrolls in the institution of higher education 

The student will be required to submit a complete Core Residency Questions and provide supporting documentation. 

Residency Core Questionnaire

• All students must complete Part A and B of the Core Residency Questions
• We recommend that all students who are still enrolled in high school or only recently graduated from high school, complete Parts C and D.
• After Part D, please read the rest of the Questionnaire very carefully and complete the sections as required so that we have complete information on which base an official residency decision.
• It is your responsibility to answer all the required questions on the questionnaire accurately and honestly.

Documentation to Support Domicile and Residency

Unless you answered “Yes” to all four questions on Part D of the Core Residency Questions you will need to submit additional documents to support your request to be considered a Texas resident for tuition purposes.  You should submit at least one (1) item from Part A and no less than three (3) items, in full, from Part B.  Depending on how you answer various questions on the core questionnaire, you may be requested to submit one or more items from Part C.

It is your responsibility to submit all the required documentation to support your claim to Texas residency.