Rules and Regulations for Establishing Residency

The rules and regulations for establishing residency for tuition purposes are defined by Yavapai College, which is authorized by the Arizona Legislature and state statutes (sections A.R.S. 15-1801 through 1807) to provide classification for a tuition differential between resident and non-resident students.

View these important sections on Residency

• FAQs about Residency
• Residency Exceptions

The requirements to establish residency for tuition purposes are independent from those of other types of residency, such as voting or holding public office. A resident for tuition purposes is someone who meets the requirements set forth for in-state status as defined in the Yavapai College General Catalog and summarized herein.

Tuition classification as a resident at an Arizona community college does not mean that a student will be classified as a resident when transferring to a state-funded Arizona university.

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Resident vs. Non-resident Tuition Rates

Why are non-resident students at Arizona's educational institutions charged higher tuition than resident students?

Arizona institutions of higher education are funded by the State of Arizona.

Since non-resident students (and their families) generally have not contributed to the source of this funding of public education in Arizona, they are required to pay fees which more closely represent the actual cost of their education.

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Establishing Arizona Residency

How does a person establish Arizona residency?

To become a resident of Arizona for tuition purposes, three basic requirements must be met:

1. Twelve Months Continuous Physical Presence An adult (18 years or older) person must physically reside in the state for the twelve consecutive months immediately preceding the term for which resident classification is requested.
2. Intent to Establish a Domicile Objective evidence of intent to become a resident of Arizona is demonstrated by the absence of ties to the former state of residence for twelve consecutive months. Objective evidence of intent to be a resident of Arizona is further demonstrated by the following:
   • Date and state issuing driver's license.
   • Date and state in which Motor Vehicle is registered.
   • State(s) in which resident income taxes are/were filed.
   • Date and state in which registered to vote.
   • Change of permanent address on all pertinent records.
   • Employment history, including assured future permanent employment in Arizona.
   • Transfer of major banking services to Arizona.
   • Applications for loans, scholarships, grants-in-aid, or other such assistance.
   • Place of prior attendance in educational institutions, including high schools, and any information held by such schools affecting domicile.
   • Marital status and work record of registrant and spouse.
   • State in which registered with Selective Service.
   • Ownership of real property.
   • All other materials of whatever kind or source which may bear on determining domicile or residency status.

   The aforementioned actions used to determine intent must be accomplished at the beginning of, and maintained throughout the domicile year. If implementation of these actions is delayed, the commencement of the one-year period will be delayed.

3. Financial Independence - For purposes of residency determination, financial independence means a student's ability to meet his or her own expenses from self-generated funds under his or her control. A student will generally be considered financially independent if he or she is:
   • A veteran of the U.S. military, or
   • Not claimed as an income tax deduction by his or her parents or any other individual for two years and has demonstrated objective evidence of self-support for the two years immediately preceding the semester for which resident classification is requested.

A student must couple his or her physical presence within Arizona with financial independence and objective evidence of intent to make Arizona his or her permanent home.

Note: Any act considered inconsistent with becoming an Arizona resident (such as voting, securing or maintaining a driver's license or automobile registration in another state) will result in a non-resident decision.

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