Skip to Content | Text-only
A leading research university located in Atlanta, Ga
Undergraduate Admissions »  Financing Your Education »  Tuition Classification

Tuition Classification

To be awarded the in-state tuition discount, you must demonstrate that you, your parent, your spouse or your court-appointed guardian (if you are a minor) is a legal resident of Georgia for tuition purposes. You may establish this claim by providing documentation to support the definition established by the Board of Regents. Please note that establishing residency for tuition purposes as defined by the Board of Regents is different than residency for purposes of such things as voting, having a Georgia driver’s license/tag, etc., and requires more than establishing eligibility to vote, securing a driver’s license, and/or paying taxes.

Residency Criteria

Who has the best claim to residency for tuition purposes? You, your parent, your spouse, or your court-appointed guardian (if you are a minor) should meet all the following criteria: 

  • The person has always resided in Georgia or can demonstrate that they currently reside in Georgia and residency in any other state or country has been abandoned. Maintenance of ties with another state or country will contribute to a non-resident decision and include but are not limited to such things as: financial support from a person who is a resident of another state or country, payment of income taxes to another state, registering a vehicle or securing a driver’s license in that state or country.
  • The person has lived in Georgia for the 12 consecutive months immediately preceding the start date for the term and their 12-month durational requirement has not included time attending any educational institution in Georgia.
  • The person can demonstrate that they moved to Georgia for purposes other than attending any educational institution in the State of Georgia.
  • The person can demonstrate economic self-sufficiency and has contributed to the state by paying meaningful taxes.
  • The person is a U.S. citizen, Resident Alien or is in a visa status permitting indefinite or permanent residence in the United States.

OR 

  • You are a U.S. citizen, Resident Alien or are in a visa status permitting indefinite permanent residence in the United States and
  • You can demonstrate that your employer has transferred you to Georgia within the last 12 months or that you previously held residency status in Georgia but moved from the state and returned within the last 12 months.

For more information, please read the Board of Regents' regulation for determining residency.