Residency FAQs
Please review the guidelines for residency application to understand the resident classification process for tuition purposes.
Who sets policy regarding Residency?
The laws and regulations regarding residency for tuition and fee purposes are established by the Kansas Legislature and the Kansas Board of Regents. State universities are required to follow these rules and may not establish their own. The Legislature’s and the Board’s rules are unique to residency for tuition and fee purposes at the state universities, and residency for other purposes, such as for community college tuition, may differ.
Where can I get a copy of residency-related regulations and statutes?
Residency Regulations - Kansas Administrative Regulations (K.A.R.) from the Kansas Board of Regents website.
Residency Statutes - Links below are for the residency-related Kansas Statutes Annotated (K.S.A.) from the Kansas State Legislature website:
K.S.A. 48-3601 | K.S.A. 76-711 | K.S.A. 76-729 |
K.S.A. 76-730 | K.S.A. 76-731 | K.S.A. 76-731a |
How is my residency status for tuition purposes determined?
Initial residency classification is determined from information you provide when you apply for admission. If you are living or attending school outside Kansas, if you recently moved to Kansas, or if you graduate from high school outside the state of Kansas, you may be classified as a nonresident for tuition purposes. After you are admitted, you will receive notification if you have been classified as a nonresident. It is your responsibility to provide any additional information that may be required to make an accurate residency determination.
New Undergraduate Applicants/Readmits: contact the Office of Recruitment and Admissions at k-state@k-state.edu
New Graduate Applicants/Readmits: contact the Graduate School at grad@k-state.edu
How do I obtain residency for fee purposes?
Resident tuition classification is determined by criteria in Kansas statutes and regulations of the Kansas Board of Regents.
Before submitting a residency application, review the Guidelines for Resident Classification, which outlines the rules and regulations to the different residency classifications. Depending on the residency classification that is applicable, additional forms may be required to submit in addition to the residency application. Once you have reviewed the guidelines, you may print the application and return it to the appropriate office. The responsibility of enrolling under the proper residence classification for fee purposes is placed on the student. If there is any question concerning resident classification, it is the responsibility of the student when registering and paying fees to raise the question with the Office of the Registrar.
Should I Pay My Bill If I have Submitted a Request for Reconsideration or an Appeal?
YES.
K-State does not recommend waiting to pay your bill or signing up for the Tuition Installment Payment Plan (TIPP). Do not assume that your reclassification or appeal will automatically be approved, instead make arrangements based on your out-of-state tuition and fee rates so you do not incur late fees. These fees are not waived regardless of when your reclassification or appeal is denied or reviewed/considered after due dates for the term.
I have a Kansas drivers' license and vote here. Doesn't that mean I pay resident tuition and fees?
This is not sufficient to establish in-state tuition classification. Other agencies may consider you to be a resident for a specific purpose (taxes, voting, etc), in accordance with the statutes governing that purpose; however, for tuition payment purposes you must satisfy the appropriate Board of Regents articles. Obtaining licenses and voting are evidence that you have done some things toward eventually obtaining residence, but they will not, in and of themselves, grant you resident fee status. Conversely, having these things in another state may result in denial of in-state status.
I lived in Kansas my whole life and my family had to move to Texas for my father's job two years ago? Can I still pay resident tuition?
The 5-year grace provision of the residency laws allows a bona fide Kansas resident to return to live in Kansas within five years of leaving and retain their resident status for tuition purposes. There is a form {Five Year Grace Verification} for the student to complete to verify their prior Kansas resident status.
I am under the age of 18 and my parents live in another state/country. What if I have a guardian who lives in Kansas?
Only if parents are deceased, divorced, or legally separated is the appointment of a guardian or a grant of custody recognized for residency tuition classification. Court appointment or grant of custody is required. In most cases, guardianships terminate at age 18. Guardianships established for the sole or main purpose of qualifying the ward for resident fees will not be honored.
My parents are divorced/separated and I live with my mother in Georgia. My father lives in Kansas and I am considering attending college in Kansas. Would I have to pay out-of-state tuition at K-State?
If your father is a bona fide Kansas resident, you are eligible to be classified as a resident for tuition purposes at K-State. You and your father must complete the Dependent of Divorced/Separated Parents form and provide documentation of his Kansas resident status (usually the most recent Kansas tax return filed).
What if my parents do not live in Kansas and still partially support me?
If your out-of-state parents have provided any financial support during the previous 365 days, and this has helped you stay in school, you are considered out-of-state because you have been dependent upon them to remain in school. If, during the previous twelve months, you have received money from other out-of-state sources (trust funds, bank loans, non-resident scholarships, etc.) in all likelihood you will be considered out-of-state. You must be able to prove that you have supported yourself for at least twelve months, paying your own tuition, fees and expenses if enrolled in school during this period. If you go home for the summer, work there, or live at home, you will be considered out-of-state. Some non-earned financial aid is acceptable if it does not tie you to any other state.
My dad is a K-State graduate and we live in Texas. I heard that I can pay resident tuition at K-State.
The residency regulations do not address children of alumni and their residency status. If you are Texas residents, you will be classified as a nonresident for tuition purposes. K-State has the Heritage Scholarship for children and grandchildren of K-State graduates who are not Kansas residents. View all of our scholarship information.
My parents don't live in Kansas but they are taxpayers because their business is in Kansas, or they own property here. Doesn't htat make me elgibile for the resident tuition and fee rate?
No. By statute, residence is based upon where one physically resides and criteria associated with that residence. No provision is made for where one is employed or owns property.
My parent just accepted a new job (or job transfer) in Kansas. We are moving to Kansas in July. Will I be able to pay resident tuition for the Fall Semester?
If your move to Kansas is the result of a job recruitment (or transfer), and you will have been living in Kansas less than one year when you will start school at K-State, the out-of-state tuition costs will be waived for the year that is required to establish residency in Kansas for tuition purposes. The Recruited-Transfer Employee Waiver form is required by the student along with verification from the Employee (parent) as well as verification from the Employer. Once you have lived in Kansas for one year, you will be asked to complete the Application for Resident Tuition to verify that all ties with Kansas have been established. Your status will then be changed to resident for tuition purposes.
Can an International Student be eligible for resident rates?
Usually, no. Students who are here on a temporary visa must leave the country once the purpose for the visa has been met. This includes all student, training, work, and practical experience visas. The evidence of a temporary visa shows the student does not have permission to reside in the state of Kansas indefinitely, therefore the person cannot demonstrate they have intent to make Kansas their permanent residence. Please see K.A.R. 88-3-2.
I am in an Undocumented/DACA or Nonpermanent Immigration Status, may I be considered for in-state tuition and fees?
Some undocumented/DACA students may receive in-state tuition in accordance with KAR 76-731a. if they:
- have attended an accredited Kansas high school for three or more years and
- have either graduated from an accredited Kansas high school or have earned a GED issued in Kansas and
- a.) in the case of a person without lawful immigration status; have signed and filed an affidavit with the institution stating that the person or the person’s parents have filed an application to legalize such person’s immigration status, or will file such an application as soon as such person is eligible to do so or
- b.) in the case of a person with a legal, non-permanent immigration status, have filed with the post-secondary educational institution an affidavit stating that such person has filed an application to begin the process for U.S. citizenship or will file such application as soon as such person is eligible to do so.
Ineligible student:
- has a valid student visa; or
- at the time of enrollment, is eligible to enroll in a public post-secondary educational institution located in another state upon payment of fees and tuition required of residents of such state.
Students who believe they are eligible should fill out the Undocumented/DACA or Nonimmigrant Status {HB2145} Affidavit within 30 days of the first day of classes for the semester they are applying.
When/where should I submit a residency application?
Application for Resident Tuition
Forms for currently enrolled students can be returned to:
Office of the Registrar118 Anderson Hall919 Mid Campus Drive North
Manhattan, KS 66506
E-mail: registrar@ksu.edu
Forms designated for new Undergraduate sstudent applicants/readmits can be returned to:
Office of Undergraduate Admissions119 Anderson Hall919 Mid Campus Drive NorthManhattan, KS 66506E-mail: k-state@k-state.eduForms designated for new Graduate student applicants/readmits can be returned to:
Graduate School119 Eisenhower HallManhattan, KS 66506E-mail: grad@k-state.eduRefer to the Timeline/Deadlines and the Academic Calendar for exact submission dates.
Students who are denied the classification of Kansas resident for tutition purposes have the right to appeal. The appeal must be based upon new information that was not made available during the request for initial classification or a petition for reclassification. Students must submit the Appeal to K-State Out-of-State Fee Appeals Committee form along with any additional supporting documenation within thirty (30) calendar days after receipt of the initial classification or reclassification decision.
The University Out-of-State Fee Appeals Committee is designated to review residency decisions - not the initial classification or reclassification process nor associated deadlines. These areas of the Residency classification or reclassification proces may not be appealed. All appeals will be reviewed by the University Out-of-State Fee Appeals Board, students will be notified of the committee decision in writing and ALL Committee decisions are considered final.
KBOR Residency FAQ
KBOR Residency Rules & Regulations
Common Misconceptions:
- A student who comes to Kansas to attend a Community College may be changed to resident for tuition purposes after meeting the criteria established for the Community Colleges (different than that for the Kansas Regent's Institutions). But when they apply to finish their degree at K-State, they will be classified as nonresidents if they have not met the criteria established for K-State.
- A student's residency status does not automatically change from nonresident to resident after they have been living in Kansas and attending school at K-State for one year.
- We do not have any agreements for automatic resident tuition with states or counties adjacent to Kansas (KC metro area, etc.).
- A student is not eligible to pay resident tuition if their parent works in Kansas but lives in Missouri. Residency for tuition purposes is based on where the family lives, not where the parent works.
- A student is not eligible to pay resident tuition if their family lives in another state but owns property (a home, farm, etc.) in Kansas.