What is tuition classification?
Per Georgia law, University System of Georgia (USG) students are assigned a tuition classification that determines their tuition rate. USG students are assigned one of the following tuition classifications:
- In-state
- Out-of-state
- Out-of-country
What is domicile?
Domicile is an individual's present, permanent home where they intend to stay permanently or indefinitely and to which they return following periods of temporary absence. While an individual may have multiple residences, an individual can have only one domicile. Those living in Georgia for a temporary purpose, such as college attendance, are not considered domiciled in the state. A number of indicators are reviewed to determine if an individual has established domicile in the state for the minimum duration required in state law.
What is required for an in-state tuition classification?
The eligibility requirements for an in-state classification depend on whether a student is a dependent or independent student.
Who is a dependent student for tuition classification purposes? Who is an independent student?
A student under the age of 24 is considered a dependent student unless there is clear evidence of the following:
- They are not claimed as a dependent on the federal or state income tax returns of a parent or U.S. court appointed legal guardian; and,
- They are not receiving financial support from a parent or U.S. court appointed legal guardian.
Students 24 and older are considered independent. In some cases, students under the age of 24 may be considered independent if they are able to demonstrate they meet the two above requirements.
What is required for a dependent student to receive an in-state classification?
In addition to meeting citizenship requirements (see below), a dependent student is eligible for in-state tuition if they have a parent or U.S. court appointed legal guardian who has maintained Georgia domicile for at least the 12 consecutive months immediately prior to the 1st day of classes. A dependent student must also have either graduated from a Georgia high school or be claimed as a dependent on the state or federal income taxes filed by their Georgia-domiciled parent or legal guardian for the most recent tax year. U.S. citizen students who are under the age of 24 and from a homeless situation may also be eligible.
What is required for an independent student to receive an in-state classification?
In addition to meeting citizenship requirements (see below), an independent student is eligible for in-state tuition if they have maintained Georgia domicile for at least the 12 consecutive months immediately prior to the 1st day of classes. Georgia law prohibits an independent student who moved to the state for college attendance from qualifying for an in-state classification unless there is clear evidence that Georgia domicile has been established for another purpose (like employment).
What are the citizenship requirements for an in-state tuition classification?
If you are a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, lawful permanent resident, refugee, asylee, or in another noncitizen category that can be eligible for federal student aid, then you can be considered for an in-state tuition classification. Please see the U.S. Department of Education's Eligibility for Non-U.S. Citizens webpage for additional information about the noncitizen categories that may be eligible for federal student aid.
What are the out-of-state classification requirements?
Students who are not eligible for an in-state classification but who can document they meet one of the following are classified as out-of-state:
- U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, refugees, asylees, and other eligible noncitizens as defined by federal Title IV regulations
- Any student who graduated from a high school in the United States.
What are the out-of-country requirements?
Students not meeting the requirements for an in-state or out-of-state tuition classification are classified as out-of-country.