Residency for in-State Tuition Purposes
The following general descriptions are by no means all-inclusive, nor do they supersede existing regulations concerning in-state residency. This should only be used as an explanatory guide for Georgia residency. Detailed official guidelines are listed in the codes of the University System of Georgia.
Since Georgia College is a state-supported institution, students must show documented proof of residency and indicate the duration of their residency in order to qualify for in-state tuition. Following admission, students who are classified as non-residents may apply for in-state residency by completing the Petition for Classification as an In-State Student, which is available from the Graduate Admissions Office. In reviewing petitions, the Georgia College Residency Committee looks at three primary items of proof.
- Students must first prove that they have established a primary domicile or permanent Georgia home for at least twelve consecutive months immediately preceding the beginning of classes for the term to be considered for residency. Typically, the residency status of a dependent student is tied to the status of the parent(s), so the parent(s) must show proof of domicile.
- Invariably, students and/or parent(s) of dependent students also should provide documentation showing payment of Georgia state income tax, as this shows a tie to the state that proves financial support for the Georgia educational system. Mere property ownership in Georgia, by itself, is usually insufficient.
- The Residency Committee also suggests students include copies of any other documents showing their intent to be a Georgia resident, such as a Georgia driver’s license, car or voter registration, home ownership, full-time employment records, etc. Attending college in Georgia is not proof of intention to be a Georgia resident.
In reviewing petitions for in-state residency, Georgia College considers each student’s situation as unique, and so there are no universal formulas. In general, though, the three items mentioned above are key. Georgia College does understand that there are situations, such as parents living in separate states or a family in the military, which may alter the review process.