Texas Residency
Texas Residency
The determination of residency classification for tuition purposes is governed by Texas law and rules set forth by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. A student’s residency classification is initially based on the information provided on their Admissions Application. If a student is classified as a non-resident and wishes to be considered for reclassification as a resident, it is necessary to submit the Residency Core Questionnaire to the Office of the Registrar. Supporting documentation will be required. Students must have applied to Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) in order to have their residency classification reviewed.
The following information is neither exhaustive nor complete and should not be interpreted as such. For detailed information about regulations relating to residency in the State of Texas, visit the College for All Texans Residency Information page.
Questions regarding changing residency status, bordering county, and registration issues regarding in-state/out-of-state sections can be answered by the Office of the Registrar.
We are unable to determine your residency without a completed Oath of Residency on file. You will complete the Oath of Residency during the application process.
Unfortunately, your residency can not be determined by the rate you paid at a previous private institution. Some examples of private institutions include, but are not limited to, Lubbock Christian University, Abilene Christian University, Dallas Baptist University, and Baylor University.
You may qualify for the Bordering County waiver. This is available for those living in the counties of Union, Quay, Curry, Roosevelt, Lea, Eddy, Otero, and Dona Ana. This waiver is dependent on the type of program you are or will be enrolled in, whether face to face or distance education. Once the waiver is approved and added to your account, it will carry over from the current term to the next and no further action will be required. If you have been approved for the waiver and do not see it reflected on your billing, you will need to contact Student Business Services at sbs1@ttuhsc.edu or by calling their office at 806-743-7867. Please keep in mind that not all students will qualify for this waiver.
There are a variety of documents we may request to support your claim for Texas residency. Some of the most frequently requested documents include your tax return and/or your parent/guardian’s tax return if you are a dependent and proof of living in Texas, which can be a lease agreement or mortgage statement in your name. Other documents may include, but not limited to, pay stubs, letter from your employer, utility bills (water, gas, electricity), or a marriage license.
There are a variety of documents we may request to support your claim for Texas residency. Some of the most frequently requested documents include your tax return and/or your parent/guardian’s tax return if you are a dependent and proof of living in Texas, which can be a lease agreement or mortgage statement in your name. Other documents may include, but not limited to, pay stubs, letter from your employer, utility bills (water, gas, electricity), or a marriage license.
If your parent or legal guardian lives in another state and claims you as a dependent, you will be classified as an out-of-state resident unless you qualify on the basis of high school domicile, or your parent is away on temporary absence. You may be eligible for Texas residency if a parent or legal guardian resides in Texas and is eligible to claim you as dependent on their federal taxes.
A temporary absence by a student or parent, with the intention to return, does not affect your ability to claim residency if the temporary absence is the result of:
- Service in the U.S. Armed Forces, Public Health Service, Department of Defense, or Department of State
- Employment assignment
- Educational purposes
- To claim a temporary absence, a student or parent must first establish Texas residency, then provide documentation of the reason for the temporary absence.
Previous Classification Through Another Texas College or University
If you were classified as a Texas resident while you were enrolled at another Public
Texas institution of higher education for the previous academic year, you may be eligible
to be classified as a Texas resident at TTUHSC in accordance with Texas Administrative
Code Determination of Resident Status Rule §21.26. Please contact the Registrar’s Office at 806-743-7347 for more information.
Military service members may base residency on the state they list as their legal residence, as found on their Leave and Earning Statement (LES). If you do not list Texas as your state of legal military residence, you may be eligible for a waiver to pay in-state tuition if stationed in Texas. Please visit the Waivers section on the HSC Veterans Resource Center website for additional information and request forms, or contact Sara Henly at vrc@ttuhsc.edu.