Tuition Classification | Out-of-State Tuition Waivers
(these forms are in pdf format and can be read with Adobe Reader)
Tuition Classification
Students are generally entitled to pay in-state tuition when attending a University System of Georgia institution without regard to their age, employment status, or other socioeconomic factors provided domicile has been established and maintained in the state of Georgia for at least 12 consecutive months immediately preceding the first day of classes for the term for which they wish to enroll as an instate student.
A student’s domicile is their present, permanent home where they intend to stay indefinitely and to which they return after periods of temporary absence. To acquire domicile, an individual must demonstrate intent to remain permanently or indefinitely. Temporary residence does not constitute the establishment of one’s domicile. Domicile, once established, is not affected by mere transient or temporary physical presence in another state, provided steps have not been taken to establish domicile in that state. A student may not have more than one domicile even though he/she may maintain more than one residence. Students who move to the state of Georgia for the purpose of pursuing their education cannot be classified as instate unless they unequivocally prove that they have subsequently decided to make Georgia their legal domicile.
A student’s state of domicile depends upon whether they are an independent or dependent student. The following is based upon Georgia Code 20366.
A dependent student is an individual under the age of 24 who receives financial support from a parent or United States court appointed legal guardian. Students under the age of 24 are presumed to be dependent unless they provide documentation showing they are independent. Dependent students are evaluated based on the status and actions of their parent or U.S. court appointed legal guardian. Dependent students must submit documentation showing the domicile of their parent or U.S. court appointed legal guardian.
An independent student is an individual who is not claimed as a dependent on the federal or state income tax returns of a parent or a United States court appointed legal guardian and whose parent or guardian has ceased to provide support and rights to that individual’s care, custody and earnings. Independent students are evaluated based on their own status and actions.
University System of Georgia students are responsible for registering under the proper tuition classification. Applicants who have been classified by North Georgia College & State University as "out-of-state" for tuition payment purposes and believe they are entitled to be classified in-state for tuition purposes may file an Application for In-state Tuition. This completed application must be submitted no later than thirty (30) days prior to the term for which in-state tuition status is requested, with as much supporting documentation as possible, to the appropriate office.
The burden of proof that the student qualifies for in-state tuition under the regulations of the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia rests with the student.
Out-of-State Tuition Waivers
Students who are not qualified to pay in-state tuition may be eligible to pay the in-state tuition rate by means of one of the following out-of-state tuition waivers. Waiver petitions must be submitted at least seven (7) days prior to the term for which the petition is made. If a decision has not been reached prior to the fee payment deadline, the student may be required to pay out-of-state tuition to prevent the cancellation of classes. A refund of this portion of tuition will be issued if determined eligible to receive this waiver.
Each of the following waiver petitions are in pdf format and can be opened with Adobe Reader:
- Non-Resident . As of the first day of classes for the term, this waiver may be granted to a non-resident student if he or she is a dependent of a parent or U.S. court-appointed legal guardian or has a spouse who has maintained domicile in Georgia for at least 12 consecutive months. Please open the waiver for additional requirements.
- Economic Advantage. As of the first day of classes for the term, an economic advantage waiver may be granted to a dependent or independent student who can provide clear evidence that the student or the student's parent, spouse, or U.S. court-appointed guardian has relocated to the State of Georgia to accept full-time, self-sustaining employment and has established domicile in the State of Georgia. Relocation to the state must be for reasons other than enrolling in an institution of higher education. This waiver will expire 12 months from the date the waiver was granted.
- Full-Time School Employees . Full-time employees in the public schools of Georgia or of the Technical College System of Georgia, their spouses, and their dependent children. Teachers employed full-time on military bases in Georgia shall also qualify for this waiver.
- Military Personnel . Military personnel, their spouses, and their dependent children stationed in Georgia and on active duty, unless such military personnel are assigned as students to System institutions for educational purposes. These individuals should also submit a completed Active Duty Status verification form with the petition.
- Georgia National Guard and U.S. Military Reservist . Active members of the Georgia National Guard, stationed or assigned to Georgia or active members of a unit of the U.S. Military Reserves based in Georgia, and their spouses and their dependent children. These individuals should also submit a completed Active Duty Status verification form with the petition.
- Recently Separated Military Service Personnel . Members of a uniformed military service of the United States who, within 12 months of separation from such service, enroll in an academic program and demonstrate an intent to become a permanent resident of Georgia. This waiver may also be granted to their spouses and dependent children. This waiver may be granted for not more than one year.
- University System Employees and Dependents . Full-time employees of the University System, their spouses, and their dependent children.
- Career Consular Officials . Career consular officers, their spouses, and their dependent children who are citizens of the foreign Nation that their consular office represents and who are stationed and living in Georgia under orders of their respective governments.
- International and Domestic Exchange Program Students. A student who enrolls in a University System institution as a participant in an international or domestic direct exchange program that provides reciprocal benefits to University System students. The program coordinator will provide a list of students participating in this progam to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. These students will then receive this waiver.
- Vocational Rehabilitation Waiver. Students enrolled in a University System of Georgia institution based on a referral by the Vocational Rehabilitation Program of the Georgia Department of Labor.
