Petition for Georgia Tuition Classification

Tuition classification petitions are for students wishing to contest their current non-resident tuition classification status.

The following general description is not all-inclusive, nor does it supersede existing regulations concerning tuition classification.  This serves only as a guide for Georgia tuition classification.  Please visit the Board of Regents policy manual for more information on tuition classification regulations.

Who may be eligible for in-state status for tuition purposes?

 The criteria considered when determining a student’s eligibility for in-state tuition depends on that student’s status as an independent or dependent student.  A dependent student is an individual under the age of 24 who receives financial support from a parent or United States court appointed legal guardian.  An independent student is an individual who is not claimed as a dependent on the federal or state income tax returns of a parent or United States court-appointed legal guardian, and whose parent or guardian has ceased to provide support and rights to that individual’s care, custody, and earnings.

•  An independent student must have not lived outside of Georgia -or- must claim all of the following:
  • Moved to the state for reasons other than attending a post-secondary educational institution;
  • Abandoned all ties to their previous state or country of residence;
  • Has taken appropriate steps to establish domicile as a Georgia resident;
  • Has lived in the state for at least 12 continuous months immediately preceding the first day of classes;
  • Receives no financial assistance from outside of Georgia;
  • Is not claimed as a dependent on the taxes of a parent or U.S. court-appointed legal guardian;
  • Is a U.S. citizen, Lawful Permanent Resident, refugee, asylee, or other eligible noncitizen as defined by federal Title IV regulations.
•  A dependent student is one whose parent or U.S. court-appointed legal guardian has not lived outside of Georgia or whose parent or U.S. court-appointed legal guardian claims all of the following:
  • Moved to the state for reasons other than attending a post-secondary educational institution;
  • Abandoned all ties to their previous state or country of residence;
  • Has taken appropriate steps to assume the responsibilities of a Georgia resident;
  • Has lived in the state for at least 12 continuous months immediately preceding the first day of classes;
  • Receives no financial assistance from outside of Georgia; and
  • Is a U.S. citizen, Lawful Permanent Resident, refugee, asylee, or other eligible noncitizen as defined by federal Title IV regulations.
  • In addition to the above, a dependent student of a Georgia-domiciled parent must either:
    1. Be a graduate of a Georgia high school; or
    2. Be claimed as a dependent on their Georgia-domiciled parent’s state or federal income taxes.

 If you have been admitted to Georgia State University and are classified as a non-resident for tuition classification, and you think further information could alter that decision, you may submit a Petition for Georgia Tuition Classification [PDF].

Employment –Related Visa holders: To have your tuition classification status reviewed, you must be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.  You may instead qualify for a Waiver of Non-Resident Fees.

Petitions filed after the final deadlines listed above will be considered for the following semester.  If a petition is approved, it will not be retroactive to prior semesters. Notification of the petition decision will be sent to the student’s GSU e-mail.  Submit your form with all supporting documentation at one time.

Mail or deliver the petition and supporting documents to:

The Office of the Registrar
225 Sparks Hall
P.O. Box 4017
Atlanta, Georgia 30302-4017  

             -or-

Submit via e-mail in PDF format (petition and supporting documents) to: residency@gsu.edu

NOTE:  Faxed documents are not permitted.