Texas Resident

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.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.)