Residency Classification for Tuition Purposes

Residency, as it relates to tuition, is different than establishing residency for other purposes. As a state institution, the University of Nebraska must abide by Nebraska State Legislature policy as determined by the University of Nebraska, Board of Regents (B.R.-5.7.1). These regulations provide the basis upon which University staff shall determine whether an individual qualifies as a Nebraska resident for tuition purposes. In some instances, it may be possible that an individual may qualify as a “resident” of Nebraska for one purpose (such as securing a Nebraska driver’s license) and still not meet the standards established by the Board of Regents for in-state resident status.

Residency Application Process

Completed residency applications and all supporting documentation should be submitted as soon as possible, but no later than the dates below.

  1. Review the Residency Categories below and identify the category in which you qualify.
  2. Gather the documents required for your category, including the notarized Affidavit of Intent, in an electronic format such as PDF.
  3. Go to the Residency Application form in MyRED under Profile. Submit the form with all required documentation prior to the deadline:
    TermDeadline
    Fall October 1
    Spring March 1
    Summer July 1
  4. Notifications about decisions or missing documentation will be sent to your @huskers.unl.edu email. Applications still missing items 60 days after submission will be voided. Applications will be reviewed once all supporting documentation has been received. Applicants will be notified of a decision within 10 to 14 business days of submission of a complete application.
  5. At any time prior to a decision, the applicant is responsible for any tuition payments due or late fees that may accrue.

Appeals: Individuals who believe they have incorrectly been denied residency for tuition purposes may submit a letter of appeal along with any additional documentation to the Assistant Dean for Graduate Enrollment.

Documentation

All applications must include a notarized Affidavit of Intent plus documents specific to the chosen category as described below. The University reserves the right to request additional documentation. For all documents, provide legible electronic copies. Submission of required documents does not guarantee that residency for tuition purposes will be granted. Please redact all social security numbers before submitting documentation.

Residency Categories

CategoryDocumentation (in addition to Affidavit of Intent)
A. Legal Age Resident or Emancipated Minor:

An individual who has established a home in NE where he/she is habitually present & shall verify with documentation the intention to make NE their permanent place of residence.
  • Documentation I: Proof of an established home in NE for at least 12 months prior to term for which residency is sought in applicant's name.
  • Documentation II: Three (3) supporting documents in applicant's name.
  • Additional Documentation: If emancipated minor: A copy of parent’(s)/guardian’(s) most recent Federal Income Tax Return (deduction page only) as proof that applicant is not a dependent.
B. Dependent Minor (less than 19 yrs. of age):

A minor whose parent/guardian has established a home in NE where they are habitually present with the bona fide intention of making NE their permanent place of residence.
  • Documentation I: Proof of current established home in NE in parent’(s)/guardian’(s) name.
  • Documentation II: Three (3) supporting documents in parent’(s)/guardian’(s) name.
  • Additional Documentation: Copy of parent’(s)/guardian’(s) most recent Federal Income Tax Return (deduction page only) showing the applicant is a dependent.
C. Legal Age Dependent (19 – 24 yrs. of age):

A person of legal age who has established a home in NE and is a dependent for federal income tax purposes of a parent/guardian who has established a home in NE.
  • Documentation I: Proof of current established home in NE in parent’(s)/guardian’(s) name.
  • Documentation II: Three (3) supporting documents in BOTH parent’(s)/guardian’(s) AND applicant’s name
  • Additional Documentation: Copy of parent’(s)/guardian’(s) most recent Federal Income Tax Return (deduction page only) showing the applicant is a dependent.
D. Married to a Nebraska Resident:

An individual who has married a resident of NE. Resident shall be required to verify residency prior to the marriage.
  • Documentation I: Proof of an established home in NE prior to date of marriage in Nebraska Resident’s name.
  • Documentation II: Three (3) supporting documents in Nebraska resident’s name.
  • Additional Documentation: Official marriage certificate (not decorative, commemorative copy).
E. Permanent Resident, Asylee or Refugee:

An individual who has become a permanent resident alien of the United States or has been granted Asylee or Refugee status.
  • Documentation I: Proof of an established home in NE for at least 12 months prior to term for which residency is sought in applicant's name.
  • Documentation II: Three (3) supporting documents in applicant's name.
  • Additional Documentation: Permanent Resident provide I-551; Asylee or Refugee Status provide I-94.
F. University/State College/NE Community College Employee or Dependent/Spouse:

At least .5 FTE Staff member or dependent/spouse of staff member, of the Univ. of NE, a NE state college, or NE community college.
  • Documentation I: Not Required
  • Documentation II: Not Required
  • Additional Documentation:
    • Letter from Human Resources verifying employment date, permanent status, and minimum 0.5 FTE.
    • If dependent: most recent Federal Income Tax Return (deduction page only) showing the applicant is a dependent.
    • If qualifying by spouse: official marriage license or certificate (not decorative, commemorative copy).
G. Active Duty Military or NE National Guard or Foreign Service Member, or Dependent/Spouse of Such:

An individual on active duty with the armed services of the United States of America or active foreign service member who has been assigned a permanent duty station in Nebraska or shows Nebraska as Home of Record, or a dependent or spouse of such an individual.
  • Documentation I: Not Required
  • Documentation II: Not Required
  • Additional Documentation:
    • Documentation (orders) from military personnel office indicating active duty with a permanent duty station in NE or NE as Home of Record, or from the foreign service office indicating active duty with a permanent duty station in Nebraska or showing Nebraska as Home of Record.
    • If dependent: most recent Federal Income Tax Return (deduction page only) showing the applicant is a dependent.
    • If qualifying by spouse: official marriage license or certificate (not decorative, commemorative copy).
H. Nebraska High School Graduate/Nebraska Dream Act:

A person who is a graduate of a Nebraska high school and who meets the requirements of Nebraska law found in Neb. Rev. Stat. §85-502(8).
  • Documentation I: Proof of current established home in NE in applicant's name.
  • Documentation II: Three (3) supporting documents in applicant's name.
  • Additional Documentation: Nebraska high school transcript or copy of diploma.
I. Former University/State College Resident Student:

An individual who has been enrolled at one of the Univ. of NE or NE state colleges, as a resident for tuition purposes, and reenrolls within two years of the last date of enrollment.
  • Documentation I: Proof of current established home in NE in applicant's name.
  • Documentation II: Three (3) supporting documents in applicant's name.
  • Additional Documentation: Statement from NU Campus or State College indicating resident classification during attendance.
J. Native American:

An individual not residing in NE who is a member of a Native American tribe that is indigenous to or has historically migrated to/from NE.

  • Documentation I: Not Required
  • Documentation II: Not Required
  • Additional Documentation: Documentation attesting to affiliation with qualifying tribe. Tribal Enrollment card, Bureau of Indian Affairs document, Tribal Membership card, Certificate of Bloodline, etc. Qualifying tribes: Arapaho, Arikara, Cheyenne, Comanche, Crow, Dakota Sioux, Dhegihan, Hidatsa, Iowa, Jicarilla Apache, Kansa, Kickapoo, Kiowa, Lakota, Lakota Sioux, Mandan, Missouria, Nakota Sioux, Northern Cheyenne, Omaha, Osage, Otoe, Pawnee, Ponca, Potawatomie, Quapaw, Sac and Fox, Santee Sioux, Southern Cheyenne, Winnebago.
K. Recruited or Transferred Employee or Dependent/Spouse:

Individuals who, because of special talents& skills, were recruited/transferred for full-time employment by a business entity or a dependent/spouse.
  • Documentation I: Proof of current established home in NE in employee’s name.
  • Documentation II: Three (3) supporting documents in employee’s name.
  • Additional Documentation:
    • Letter from employer on company letterhead. Must include “recruited” or “transferred”, date of employment, and permanent full-time employment status.
    • If dependent: most recent Federal Income Tax Return (deduction page only) showing the applicant is a dependent.
    • If qualifying by spouse: official marriage license or certificate (not decorative, commemorative copy).
L. Nebraska High School Graduate Veteran:

A person who has served with the military who has been honorably discharged, is a graduate of a NE high school, and has established a home in NE with the intent to make NE a permanent residence.
  • Documentation I: Proof of current established home in NE in applicant's name.
  • Documentation II: Three (3) supporting documents in applicant's name.
  • Additional Documentation: Nebraska high school transcript or copy of diploma.
M. Military Veteran or Dependent/Spouse:

A person who has served in the military and, has been off active duty, or a dependent or spouse of such veteran, if the person is registered to vote in NE and demonstrates objective evidence of intent to be a resident of NE.
  • Documentation I: Not Required
  • Documentation II: Not Required
  • Additional Documentation:
    • Veteran's DD 214 – Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty Military.
    • If qualifying as dependent: most recent Federal Income Tax Return (deduction page only) showing the applicant is a dependent and any one (1) of the following (3) items in dependent’s name: Nebraska driver’s license, Nebraska ID card, or Nebraska vehicle registration (pink slip).
    • If qualifying as spouse: official marriage license or certificate (not decorative, commemorative copy) and any one (1) of the following (3) items in spouse’s name: Nebraska driver’s license, Nebraska ID card, or Nebraska vehicle registration (pink slip).
    • Documentation needed for Veteran: Veteran’s voter registration card and any one (1) of the following (3) items in veteran’s name: Nebraska driver’s license, Nebraska ID card, or Nebraska vehicle registration (pink slip).
N. Nebraska National Guard

A person currently serving in the Nebraska National Guard.
  • Documentation I: Not Required
  • Documentation II: Not Required
  • Additional Documentation:
    • Provide official documentation (orders) from the military personnel office indicating service in the Nebraska National Guard.
O. National Service Educational Award / AmeriCorps

A person who is qualified for a national service educational award or summer of service award from the National Service Trust of the United States.
  • Documentation I: Not Required
  • Documentation II: Not Required
  • Additional Documentation:
    • Provide official documentation (certification of service letter) from the National Service Trust or AmeriCorps.

Based on University of Nebraska Board of Regents residency policy (RP-5.7 Tuition)