Idaho Residency for Tuition Purposes

Requirements to Establish Idaho Residency

There are two components to establish Idaho residency for tuition purposes: Pathway and Domicile. Applicants first determine which Pathway (numbered 1 through 8) that all conditions are met for, and then second domicile requirements only if noted as required* by the selected Pathway (some pathways do not require domicile), in order to qualify as an Idaho resident for tuition purposes.

PATHWAYS

1. Dependent Student Student is a dependent of parent/legal guardian who has been domiciled in Idaho for at least 12 months prior to the term the student is applying for residency. The parent/guardian must demonstrate maintenance of a bona fide domicile* in Idaho for at least 12 months.
2. Independent Student Student is not a dependent of parent/legal guardian, has continuously resided in, and can demonstrate maintenance of a bona fide domicile* in Idaho for purposes other than education for at least 12 months prior to the term applying for residency.
3. Graduate of Idaho High School Student graduated from an accredited high school in Idaho, is domiciled in Idaho, and matriculates within 8 years immediately following high school graduation.
4. Elementary/Secondary Education Completed in Idaho Student completed 6 years of elementary and/or secondary school in Idaho, is domiciled in Idaho, and matriculates within 8 years immediately following high school graduation.
5. Married to an Idaho Resident Student is married to a person who is classified, or eligible for classification, as an Idaho resident for the purposes of attending an Idaho public institution. Spouse must demonstrate maintenance of a bona fide domicile* in Idaho for at least 12 months prior to the term applying for residency. *If the student has been enrolled full-time during the prior 12 months, then residency must be based on self under the Independent Student pathway 2.
6. Armed Forces Any independent student, spouse, or parent/guardian of a dependent student who meets one of the following criteria. Armed Forces includes US Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and the reserve forces of those groups; it does not include related civilian employees.
   1. Member of Armed Forces who entered service as an Idaho resident, has maintained Idaho resident status, but is stationed outside of Idaho on military orders.
   2. Member of Armed Forces stationed in Idaho on military orders.
   3. Officer or enlisted member of the Idaho National Guard.
   4. Member who has separated under honorable conditions after at least 2 years of service and enters an Idaho public institution within 1 year of separation date:
   • Who at the time of separation designated Idaho as intended domicile or
   • Who listed Idaho as home of record in service or
   • Who moves to Idaho for purpose of establishing domicile; provided, however, to maintain status as a resident student, must actively establish domicile* within 1 year of registration at an Idaho public institution.

Member of Idaho Native American Indian Tribe Student who is a member of one of the following tribes: Coeur d’Alene, Eastern Shoshone, Kootenai, Nez Perce, Shoshone-Paiute, Shoshone-Bannock, or Northwestern Shoshone. Graduate or Professional Student at Idaho Institution

• Graduated from an Idaho institution of higher education and
• Physically resided in Idaho for at least final 12 months of undergraduate studies and
• Earned a baccalaureate degree that meets admission standards into the graduate or professional program and
• Enrolls within 36 months after receiving baccalaureate degree

DOMICILE

Domicile is an individual’s true, fixed, and permanent home and place of habitation. Establishment of Idaho domicile is supported by demonstrating the following criteria has been maintained for a minimum of 12 months prior to the start of the term. Use the underlined applicable domicile track, if required by pathway:

TRACK A: For Independent undergraduate students enrolled full-time during the prior 12 months must prove these minimum requirements:

• Permanent full-time (30+ hours/week or 120+ hours/month) employment in Idaho AND
• Filing of an Idaho state resident tax return for the prior year

TRACK B: For Parent/guardian, spouse, or independent student not enrolled full-time in the prior 12 months must prove these minimum requirements:

• Permanent full-time (30+ hours/week or 120+ hours/month) employment in Idaho AND
• Filing of an Idaho state resident tax return for the prior year

OR establishment of at least FIVE of the following factors:

• Ownership or leasing of residence in Idaho
• Registration and payment of Idaho taxes or fees (vehicle), other than income tax
• Registration to vote in Idaho
• Holding Idaho driver’s license or ID card
• Evidence of abandonment of previous domicile
• Establishment of accounts with Idaho financial institutions
• Other similar factors such as: 1) enrollment of dependent children in Idaho primary or secondary schools; 2) acceptance of permanent employment in Idaho; 3) documentation of need to care for relative in Idaho; 4) utility statements; or 5) employment documentation

TRACK C: For Graduate or professional students who can demonstrate full-time enrollment at an institution of higher education in Idaho.