Financially independent students
What do I need to do to establish residency in Washington State?
- Live in the state for twelve consecutive months.
- Be financially independent for the prior and current calendar years (January–December).
- Establish ties:
- If you have a current out-of-state driver's license, you must obtain a Washington State driver's license. If you do not have any driver's license and do not plan to drive, you must obtain a Washington State identification card.
- Register to vote in Washington.
- Establish a bank account in Washington.
- If you own or drive a vehicle in Washington, you must register it in Washington.
Is it possible to establish residency while attending school?
- It is possible, if you meet the above requirements and establish the above ties within two to four weeks of arriving in Washington.
I have lived in Washington for two years, but I didn't establish my ties within two to four weeks of arriving in the state. Can I still qualify for residency?
- Yes, as long as you establish ties at least twelve months before the beginning of the semester for which you are applying.
What is required in order to be considered financially independent?
- First of all, you cannot be claimed as a dependent on your parents' tax return for the prior and current calendar years.
- In addition, you must also be able to document enough income in the prior and current calendar years to show that you have been paying over half your expenses in that period. For example, if you were applying for a change in residence classification effective fall semester, you would have to show that you had been paying over half of your expenses for all of the prior year and for the first nine months of the current year.
- Income can include the following: employment, financial aid, scholarships, and irrevocable trust funds (with documentation that you have been withdrawing funds from the trust).
- If you are a nonresident student, the amount of income required to be considered financially independent is based upon your ability to pay at least 51% of the estimated expenses listed on page in the Admissions and Financial Aid section of the Washington State University Catalog.
I have Permanent Resident immigration status. Can I qualify for Washington State residency?
- Yes, if your application for adjustment to Permanent Resident status was filed at least twelve months prior to the beginning of the semester for which you are requesting to be classified a Washington resident, and if you meet the requirements listed under question number one (with the exception of registering to vote).
What types of visas are acceptable for establishing residency in Washington?
- You can establish Washington State residency for tuition and fee purposes if you are on an A, E, G, I, or K visa and fulfill the requirements listed under question number one (with the exception of registering to vote).
If I think I qualify as a Washington resident, how do I apply?
- Print, complete, and mail a Washington State Residency Application (PDF). Call 509.335.5346 to have one sent to you.
When should I submit my application and documentation?
- No earlier than the semester prior to the one for which you are applying and no later than the 30th calendar day of the semester for which you are applying. If you want a decision before tuition is due, you should submit your application at least four weeks before tuition is due, because it can take four weeks to process an application.
What happens if a decision is not made by the time tuition is due?
- You are responsible for paying the resident portion of your tuition. If a change in your residence classification is approved, the nonresident fee will be credited to your student account.
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