Guidelines for Determining Residence Status for Tuition Purposes
Residence for tuition purposes is determined by state law and as such is subject to change by the Texas Legislature. To initially establish resident status, a person shall answer the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board set of Core Residency Questions found in the Admissions Application.
It is the student’s responsibility when applying for admissions to use the proper residence classification. If there is any question as to correct classification as a resident of Texas or the Laredo Municipal College District, it is the student’s obligation, prior to or at the time of registration, to raise the question with appropriate administrative officials of the institution. Any change in residency status should be reported to the Office of the Registrar and Admissions.
A person is a Texas Resident for tuition purposes, if the person satisfies the requirements for both Domicile and Residency.
A person is eligible to establish a domicile if they have:
- A license to practice in Texas (Ex. Physician, lawyer, nurse, etc.)
- A business in Texas
- Property in Texas
- Military release or transfer orders
- An Employment Verification Letter from a Texas Employer
- A Texas Marriage Certificate who has established and maintained domicile in Texas Marriage certificate or Declaration of Registration of Informal Marriage with Documentation to support that spouse has established and maintained domicile in Texas 12 consecutive months.
- A visa that will allow the student to domicile in the U.S.
The following is a list of documents that may provide support to a claim of physical residence in Texas.
- A Texas high school transcript for full senior year preceding the census date;
- Utility bills paid in Texas for the 12 months preceding the census date;
- A transcript from a Texas institution showing presence in the state for the 12 months preceding the census date;
- A Texas driver’s license or Texas ID card with an expiration date of not more than four years;
- Canceled checks that reflect a Texas residence for the 12 months preceding the census date;
- A current credit report that documents the length and place of residence of the person or the dependent’s parent;
- Texas voter registration card that has not expired;
- Pay stubs for employment in Texas for the 12 months preceding the census date;
- Bank statements reflecting a Texas address for the 12 months preceding the census date;
- Ownership of real property in Texas with copies of utility bills for the 12 months preceding the census date;
- Registration or verification from licensor, showing Texas address for licensee;
- Written statements from the office of one or more Texas social service agencies, attesting to the provision of services for at least the 12 months preceding the census date;
- Lease or rental of real property in Texas, other than campus housing, in the name of the person or the dependent’s parent for the 12 months preceding the census date.
Student is ultimately responsible to show by clear and convincing evidence that they have established domicile and maintained it by submitting required documentation and completing a Residency Packet at the Office of the Registrar and Admissions. Student’s change of residency request will be reviewed and either approved or denied based on the documentation provided. If approved, change in residency status will take effect the following term. A student classified as a non-resident will remain in that status until he or she has submitted a written request for reclassification and it has been officially approved. All questions concerning residency status should be directed to the Office of the Registrar and Admissions.