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Residency Information

The determination of residency classification for tuition purposes is governed by statutes enacted by the Texas Legislature and regulations developed by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

The residency status of each student is determined during the admission process, based upon answers the student provides on the core questions found in the application.

The residency classification determines the tuition rate the student must pay. Once students have enrolled in classes, they are responsible for making payment arrangements with the business office. Payment deadlines will not be deferred for residency appeals that are in progress.

If a student believes they are entitled to a lower tuition rate, Grayson College staff will work with the student to assist in that determination. Documentation will be required to support the student's status. To appeal residency status and to be considered for a reclassification, students must complete a Residency Reclassification Inquiry form.

It is the responsibility of the student to provide residency documentation and notice of residency changes. Residency changes are not retroactive. Changes are only effective for future semesters from the date complete appeals are approved.

To be considered for reclassification, please review the list of approved supporting documents before submitting an appeal request to ensure that you have the proper documentation to apply for an appeal.

Supporting Documentation for Proof of Texas Residency

Grayson College reserves the right to request additional information to comply with the State of Texas residency requirements. Residency changes may only be made when sufficient supporting documentation is submitted.

The Residence Determination Officials for Grayson College can be contacted by email at texas-residency [at] grayson [dot] edu .

Deadlines

Residency reclassification requests become more numerous as the start of the semester approaches. Delays are unavoidable during these times. Grayson College has provided a solution for students to avoid delays during peak periods by establishing priority processing deadlines.

Summer Semester: April 1
Fall Semester: July 1
Spring Semester: Dec. 1

Grayson College will make every effort to have all residency reclassification requests with supporting documentation submitted prior to the priority processing deadline completed before the payment deadline for the semester.

Per the Texas Administrative Code, the deadline for residency changes is the certification (census) date of the semester for which reclassification is being sought.

Basis

For tuition purposes, students who enroll in Grayson College will be classified in one of three categories: In-District Resident, Out-of-District Resident or Non-Resident of Texas.

Each student may base their residency status upon:

self
parent/legal guardian, if student is an eligible dependent per IRS rules
spouse, if married

Texas does not permit students to base residency upon roommates, friends or family members who do not have legal parental/guardianship rights.

Classifications Definitions

The following definitions briefly describe the residency requirements specified in Texas statutes and in rules and regulations of the Coordinating Board, Texas College and University System. More detailed information on residency classification may be obtained in the Admissions Office.

In-District Resident: A student who resides in Grayson County and who has been a resident of Texas for the twelve months preceding the date of registration.
Out-of-District Resident: A student who resides in a Texas county other than Grayson County and who has been a resident of Texas for the twelve months preceding the date of registration.
Non-Resident of Texas: A student under 18 years of age who lives away from his family and whose family resides in another state or whose family has not resided in Texas for the twelve months preceding the date of registration, or a student 18 years of age or older who resides out-of-state or who has not been a resident of the state for twelve months preceding the date of registration. Foreign students and students who do not have documented eligibility to establish domicile in Texas.

Note: Oklahoma residents are classified as non-residents but are eligible to receive a waiver of non-resident tuition and will be charged out-of-district rates.

Anyone who enrolls as a non-resident of Texas is presumed to remain in the classification as long as he/she maintains continuous enrollment.

Tuition rates are subject to change. The current tuition rate for each classification may be found on the Tuition, Fees, and Cost of Attendance webpage.

Who Qualifies?

Official Rules and Regulations

Official rules and regulations regarding residency may be found in the Texas Administrative Code: Title 19 – Education, Part 1 – Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, Chapter 21 – Student Services, Subchapter B – Determination of Resident Status. The Texas Administrative code may be found in the website of the Office of the Secretary of State.

Note: All residency determinations will be based on the state and federal regulations currently in effect, which are subject to change.

Texas Residency (In-State, Out-of District)

You may be eligible for Texas residency if you:

Graduated from high school in Texas (or received your Certificate of High School Equivalency in Texas), and you resided in Texas both:
1. 36 months immediately preceding date of graduation or receipt of Texas CHSE / GED (last three years of high school), and
2. 12 months preceding the census date of your starting semester.
Established residence and domicile in Texas not less than 12 months before the census date of your starting semester and you maintained residence and domicile continuously in Texas for 12 months preceding the census date.
Are a dependent whose parent established residence and domicile in Texas not less than 12 months before the census date of your starting semester and who maintained residence and domicile continuously in Texas for 12 months preceding the census date.
Have been married for at least one year to someone who has established residence and domicile in Texas not less than 12 months before the census date of your starting semester and who maintained residence and domicile continuously in Texas for 12 months preceding the census date.
Are a member (or spouse/dependent child of a member) of the U.S. Armed Forces whose Home of Record is Texas with the military.
Are a member (or spouse/dependent child of a member) of the U.S. Armed Forces whose Home of Record is not Texas with the military but claimed Texas as your place of residence for 12 months preceding the census date of your starting semester.
Are a person classified by an institution of higher education as a Texas resident for either of the two prior regular semesters. This eligibility requires a letter from the previous institution including the semesters of enrollment and residency determination at that institution.

Note: An individual whose initial purpose for moving to Texas is to attend an institution of higher education as a full-time student will be presumed not to have the required intent to make Texas his or her domicile; however, the presumption may be overruled by clear and convincing evidence submitted in an appeal with supporting documentation.

In-District Residency (resides in Grayson County)

For tuition purposes, Grayson County residency cannot be considered until Texas residency status is established.

Once Texas residency has been established, classification of in-district (Grayson County resident) or out-of-district is based on where the student physically resides.

A student who is classified as a Texas (in-state) resident and who resides in Grayson County is eligible for the in-district tuition rate. A student who meets in-state requirements but resides outside of Grayson County will pay the out-of-district tuition rate. A waiver may be granted each academic year to some students who reside outside of Grayson County, but who own property in Grayson County subject to the Community College Ad Valorem Tax - supporting documentation is required for this consideration. If a student classified as in-district moves outside of Grayson County on or before a semester’s certification date (census date), the student must pay the higher out-of-district tuition rate.

Permanent Residents of the United States (Green card holders)

Foreign nationals who have been granted permanent residence status (of the United States) that are not temporary have the same privileges as a U.S. citizen to qualify for resident status. You will be required to provide the necessary documentation (permanent resident card/green card or I-551 document) needed to establish Texas residency.

Asylees, Refugees, Parolees or Temporary Protective Status

To be eligible for domicile in Texas, documentation from the USCIS (such as I-94) indicating approved status is required and must be submitted to texas-residency [at] grayson [dot] edu in addition to any other supporting documentation. Students who are seeking these statuses but have not yet been approved by USCIS are not eligible to establish domicile in Texas.

Eligible Non-Immigrants that Hold a Visa

If a Visa holder is eligible to domicile in the United States, he/she has the same rights and privileges for applying for Texas residency as do U.S. citizens or permanent residents. In the List of Visas that Allow Non-Immigrants to Domicile in the United States (PDF, 68 KB), a “ Yes ** ” in the third column indicates a visa classification that is eligible to establish a domicile in the US. The Visa holder must submit a copy of the eligible Visa upon applying to Grayson College.

Requests for Reclassification

Any student who wishes to request residency reclassification MUST complete a Residency Reclassification Inquiry form.

Who should submit a request for reclassification?

A student who moved from out of state to Texas and has established residency and domicile for at least one year.
A student who moved from out of district to in district (Grayson County) before the census date of the next semester of enrollment.
Students who want to appeal their determined Texas residency status and can provide additional documentation.
A student whose status has changed since admission and can document residency and domicile in Texas for at least one year.