Residency Frequently Asked Questions
Emancipated and Independent Applicants
Although Tennessee does not have a durational component regarding domicile for tuition purposes, an independent person moving to the state of Tennessee must provide documentation showing they did not move to the State primarily for educational purposes.
If an independent person moves to the State and immediately applies for admission
as a student it will be difficult to show that the move is incidental to attending
the University. Stating intent to remain in the state after attending school does
not provide the documentable proof needed to show that your reason for moving is not
primarily for educational purpose.
Unemancipated and Dependent Applicants
Active Military/Dependents/Veterans
Tennessee Public Chapter 791, passed in April 2022, “authorizes the governing board of each public institution of higher education to classify a veteran or military-affiliated individual as a Tennessee resident for tuition purposes only if the veteran or military-affiliated individual is enrolled in the institution and resides outside of this state.” Military-affiliated students—veterans, active-duty military personnel, reservists, Tennessee National Guard members and Army and Air Force ROTC cadets—can now attend a UT institution of their choosing at the in-state tuition rate, even if they live out of state.
Tennessee Public Chapter 791, passed in April 2022, “authorizes the governing board of each public institution of higher education to classify a veteran or military-affiliated individual as a Tennessee resident for tuition purposes only if the veteran or military-affiliated individual is enrolled in the institution and resides outside of this state.” Military-affiliated students—veterans, active-duty military personnel, reservists, Tennessee National Guard members and Army and Air Force ROTC cadets—can now attend a UT institution of their choosing at the in-state tuition rate, even if they live out of state.
A dependent of full-time active duty/Veteran military who is:
(1) enrolled at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center,
(2) is utilizing benefits administered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
through any provision of the U.S. Code, and (3) is physically living in Tennessee
while attending classes is eligible for in-state tuition rates.
Changing Status
A student who is classified as out-of-state should submit an application for residency classification along with documentation to support the claim to the Office of Enrollment Management. Completion of the application does not guarantee that a student will be classified as in-state for tuition purposes.
Residency Applications will be made available to applicants and students as part of the residency review process on an as-needed basis. Supporting documentation includes (but is not limited to) the following:
It is the student's responsibility to determine documentation to appropriately support their case
- Proof of current Tennessee domicile, such as copy of Lease or ownership documents (e.g.: deeds, property tax records, county property registration records)
- Copy of applicant/student's Tennessee Voter Registration Card
- Copy of Tennessee Driver's License, or official Tennessee Identification Card
- Letter from Tennessee employer on employer's official letterhead (if applicable)
- Up-to-date work history (if applicable)
- Copy of Tennessee Vehicle Registration (if applicable)
- Copy of applicant/student's Federal Income Tax Return (from previous year)
- Copy of parents'/guardians' Federal Income Tax Return (if applicable)
Enrolled student applications and supporting documentation must be submitted in the term prior to the term the student is seeking reclassification. If reclassification is granted, the effective date will be the beginning of the upcoming term. (Ex: applications submitted in the fall term will be effective for the spring term, etc.)
Prospective students who apply for in-state classification will be considered out-of-state during the admissions process until a residency classification has been determined. All residency decisions for prospective students should be completed by the date of enrollment.
Determination of "Independent" or "Dependent"
Students under age 24, unless in the military, married, or have children are unemancipated/dependent students and domicile is based on parents' primary domicile.
Students age 24 and over, in the military, married, or have children would be considered emancipated/independent students but must provide documentation showing they did not move to the State primarily for educational purposes (intent to remain in the state after attending school does not provide documentable proof). It is difficult to show that a move to Tennessee is incidental to attending the University if you move to the state and immediately apply to the University within a short period of time.
Enrolled out-of-state students do not acquire domicile in Tennessee while attending the University regardless of the length of time a student is enrolled. A presence in the state of Tennessee to attend a higher educational institution does not provide permanent domicile but is considered a temporary residence for educational purposes. The presumption is the student is residing in the state primarily for educational benefits regardless of the length of stay.
Attending an educational institution as a student does not provide domicile for in-state tuition classification after 6 months, a year, or more.
Miscellaneous
The UT Board of Trustees approved a regional tuition discount program for out-of-state students enrolled in certain programs who reside within 250 miles of the city of Memphis. These students' tuition will be discounted by 75 percent off the out-of-state tuition differential. Check with your college to determine if your program is eligible.