Determining Residence Status

The Central Texas College Admissions Office is responsible for determining residency status of students for tuition purposes. The office is directed by state statutes and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Rules: Determination of Resident Status. All rules are subject to change. Under state statutes and regulations a prospective student is classified as a resident, nonresident, or foreign student. Although state requirements for establishing residency are complex and prospective students should refer to their particular circumstance, most individuals must meet one of the following residency requirements before they can be considered residents for tuition purposes.

A person who graduated from a public or accredited private high school in Texas or, received the equivalent of a high school diploma in Texas, including the successful completion of a nontraditional secondary education, and maintained a residence continuously in this state for: (1) the 36 months immediately preceding the date of graduation or receipt of the diploma equivalent, as applicable; and (2) the 12 months preceding the census date of the academic semester in which the person enrolls in an institution.
A person who established a domicile in Texas not less than 12 months before the census date of the academic semester in which the person enrolls in an institution; and maintained a domicile continuously in the state for the 12 months immediately preceding the census date of the academic semester in which the person enrolls in an institution.
A dependent whose parent established a domicile in this state not less than 12 months before the census date of the academic semester in which the person enrolls in an institution; and maintained a domicile continuously in the state for 12 months immediately preceding the census date of the academic semester in which the person enrolls in an institution. (A dependent is a person who is less than 18 years of age and has not been emancipated by marriage or court order; or is eligible to be claimed as a dependent of a parent of the person for purposes of determining the parent’s income tax liability under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.)

NOTE If a person who qualifies for residency under item 1 is not a U.S. citizen or a Permanent Resident of the U.S., per Senate Bill 1528 the person shall, in addition to the other requirements of this section, provide the institution with a signed affidavit stating that he or she will apply to become a Permanent Resident of the U.S. as soon as the person becomes eligible to apply.

Non-U.S. Citizens

The following non-U.S. citizens are eligible to establish and maintain a domicile in Texas for the purposes of Item 2 or 3 under Determining Residence Status in this section.

A Permanent Resident.
A person who is eligible for permanent resident status and has filed an I-485 application for permanent residency and has been issued a fee/filing receipt or notice of action by USCIS showing that his or her I-485 has been reviewed and has not been rejected.
An eligible nonimmigrant who has been issued a type of nonimmigrant visa by the USCIS that permits the person to establish a domicile in the United States.

Residency Documentation

New students or returning students who have not attended CTC for at least 12 months are required to complete the CTC Admissions Application. Individuals may be required to provide supporting documentation to support information provided in the residency section of the application or to support the answers to the residency section.

An individual who was classified a Texas resident while attending a Texas college or university during the preceding fall or spring semester prior to enrolling at CTC will be classified a Texas resident provided the individual attended at least two consecutive regular semesters at the institution. If the individual was not enrolled for two or more consecutive regular semesters, the individual will be required to reapply for resident status and provide documents to establish Texas residency.

Documents to Support Domicile and Residence

The documents under Proof of Domicile and Proof of Residence may be used to support that the (1) the person or the dependent’s parent established domicile in Texas, and (2) the person or the dependent’s parent has maintained a domicile (physically residing) in Texas continuously for at least 12 consecutive months immediately preceding the census date of the term in which the person enrolls.

Proof of Domicile

The following documents can be submitted, which may support the establishment of a domicile in Texas and maintenance of a domicile in Texas.

Significant Gainful Employment

An employer’s statement of dates of employment in Texas; proof of self-employment; or proof of other income such as pensions, veteran’s benefits, social security or savings from previous earnings. Documents must include the beginning and current or ending dates that encompass 12 consecutive months prior to enrollment. Employment based on student status such as college work study does not constitute gainful employment for purposes of establishing a domicile.
For a person unemployed and living on public assistance, written statements from one or more social service agencies located in Texas indicating services were provided for at least 12 consecutive months prior to enrollment.

Residential Real Property

Sole or joint ownership of residential property in Texas with documentation such as a warranty deed to verify 12 consecutive months of ownership prior to enrollment with the person or dependent's parent having established and maintained domicile at the residence.

Marriage to a Person Who Has Established and Maintained Domicile in Texas

A marriage certificate or declaration of registration of informal marriage with documentation to support that spouse has established and maintained domicile in Texas for the 12 consecutive months prior to enrollment.

Ownership of a Business in Texas

Documents that support the ownership and management of a business in Texas by the independent student or dependent’s parent without intention of liquidation in the near future.

Member of U.S. Armed Forces

A member of the United States Armed Services whose Home of Record with the military is Texas is presumed to be a Texas resident, as are his or her spouse and dependent children. A member whose Home of Record is not Texas but who provides Leave and Earnings Statements (LES) that show the member has claimed Texas as his or her place of residence for the 12 consecutive months prior to enrollment.

NOTE An individual whose initial purpose for moving to Texas is to attend a college as a full-time student is 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.

Proof of Residence in Texas

The following documents may be required to support physical residence in Texas for the 12 consecutive months immediately preceding the census date of the term in which the person enrolls. These documents do not show the establishment of a domicile.

Utility bills for the 12 consecutive months preceding the census date.
A Texas high school transcript for full senior year immediately preceding the census date and showing presence in the state for the 12 consecutive months preceding the census date.
A Texas driver’s license or Texas ID card that has not expired and, if it reflects an origination date, shows an origination date at least 12 months prior to the census date.
Cancelled checks that reflect a Texas residence for the 12 consecutive 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 to be in Texas and the length of residence to be at least 12 consecutive months preceding the census date.
Texas voter registration card that was issued at least 12 months prior to the census date.
Lease or rental of residential real property in the name of the person or the dependent’s parent for the 12 consecutive months immediately preceding the census date.

Temporary Absences from State

An individual who met the criteria for in-state residency, who is temporarily absent from the state for a short duration (i.e. less than one year) with the intention to always return, does not lose his or her ability to claim Texas as his or her permanent residence. However, in some situations the absence can be significantly longer. Examples include:

A person or the dependent’s parent who is temporarily absent from the state for the purpose of service in the U.S. Armed Forces, U.S. Public Health Service, U.S. Department of Defense, or U.S. Department of State.
A person or the dependent’s parent whose company temporarily assigns him or her to work elsewhere.
A person or the dependent’s parent who is temporarily absent from the state for educational purposes.