Residency, Form Deadlines, Under Age 23, Over Age 23, Military / Veteran Students and Dependents, Elite Athlete In-State Tuition, WICHE WUE

Residency

According to Colorado Tuition Classification Law, CRS 23-7-101 et. seq., state-supported colleges and universities in Colorado must classify each student as either in-state or out-of-state for tuition purposes. This designation determines the amount of tuition you will pay. In-state students pay lower tuition than out-of-state students. Undergraduate students who are approved in-state status will also be eligible for extra funding applied towards their tuition bill. Please visit the College Opportunity Fund page to read more and apply for this stipend.

The law also determines the conditions you must meet in order to be classified as an in-state student. Although people who have lived in Colorado only a short time are considered state residents by voting and other legal purposes, they are not necessarily classified as in-state for tuition purposes unless they meet the specific additional requirements outlined in the law. Administering the tuition law, as with any law, depends upon the judgment and interpretation of individual actions and circumstance.

The Colorado Department of Higher Education provides helpful resources to assist with your residency questions:

Colorado Higher Education Residency Guide

Colorado Residency Statutes

Frequently Asked Questions

Form Deadlines

Deadlines for the forms vary per semester so please ensure that you complete the correct form. Residency forms should be submitted to the Office of Admissions. Read the forms carefully and provide supportive documentation. The burden of proof relies on the individual seeking in-state tuition. Incomplete forms will delay processing. Students are responsible for verifying the balance due and all cost incurred upon registration.

**In-State Correction and Petition for In-State Tuition Form Deadlines**
Semester	In-State Correction Form	Petition for In-State Tuition
Spring 2020	February 6, 2020	February 20, 2020
Summer 2020	June 16, 2020	July 8, 2020
Fall 2020	September 2, 2020	September 16, 2020

Under Age 23

Students under the age of 23 the day before classes begin must use their parent/legal guardian’s information (except where noted).

Qualifications:

Student’s parent/legal guardian must have domicile in Colorado for 12-months preceding the first day of classes
- Evidence of physical presence in Colorado that includes but is not limited to Lease Contract, Mortgage Contract, Property Deed, Utility Bill and/or Bank Statements.
- Evidence of intent to remain in Colorado that includes but is not limited to Identification or Driver’s License, Motor Vehicle Record, Voter Registration, Employment Letter and/or Income Tax Returns

New and Re-admit Students

Complete the In-State Correction Form using parent/legal guardian’s information.

Continuing Students

Complete the Petition for In-State Tuition using parent/legal gaurdian’s information.
Submit additional supportive documentation as specified on the form.

Exceptions for students under the age of 23 are listed below. If you fit in any of the options below, please select the drop down menu to read more.

Unaccompanied Homeless Youth

McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (UHY, 2015) allows homeless youth under the age of 23 the eligibility to obtain in-state tuition based on their own information. The Act defines an unaccompanied homeless youth as a youth whose living situation is not “fixed, regular, and adequate,” (homeless) and who is “not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian” (unaccompanied).

Qualifications:

Student must be an unaccompanied homeless youth living in Colorado for the 12 months preceding the first day of classes and be able to prove that Colorado is their home of permanent residence.

Evidence of 12 months domicile in Colorado met (physical presence)
Evidence of intent to remain in Colorado met (ties to Colorado)

Steps:

Submit completed residency change request (see forms and deadlines) using student’s information.

ASSET (Under Age 23)

The Advancing Students for a Stronger Economy Tomorrow (ASSET, 2013) bill was signed into law at MSU Denver in 2013. Under this bill, U.S. Citizens, Permanent Residents and students without lawful immigration status who meet MSU Denver’s admission requirements and the necessary qualifications outlined below are eligible for in-state tuition.

Qualifications:

Have been physically present for the 12 months immediately prior to the start of the semester.
Have attended a public or private high school in Colorado for at least three years immediately before graduating high school or obtaining a GED.
Be admitted to a Colorado college or university within 12 months of graduation from a Colorado high school or completion of a Colorado GED.

Steps:

Submit completed residency change request (see forms and deadlines) using parent/legal guardian's information.
Submit your official high school transcript to the Office of Admissions.
Students without lawful immigration status may apply for the College Opportunity Fund (COF) and complete the affidavit indicating that you have applied for legal presence or will apply as soon as you are eligible to do so.

Additional information can be found at College in Colorado: Colorado ASSET.

DACA (Under Age 23)

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA, 2012) is a federal program that is not directly tied to education but allows students without lawful status to gain in-state tuition as long as they meet the necessary qualifications as outlined below.

Qualifications:

Parent/legal guardian’s must have lived in Colorado for 12 months preceding the first day of classes and be able to prove that Colorado is their home of permanent residence

Student has a valid approved DACA status that was issued at least 12-months prior to the first day of classes.
Evidence of 12 months domicile in Colorado met (physical presence).
Evidence of intent to remain in Colorado met (ties to Colorado).

Steps:

Submit completed residency change request (see forms and deadlines) using parent/legal guardian's information.
Provide proof of valid status.

Married

Qualifications:

Student must have been married, lived in Colorado for 12 months preceding the first day of classes and be able to prove that Colorado is their home of permanent residence.

Evidence of 12 months domicile in Colorado met (physical presence)
Evidence of intent to remain in Colorado met (ties to Colorado)

Steps:

Submit completed residency change request (see forms and deadlines) using student’s information.
Submit marriage license.
Submit supportive documentation which may include but is not limited to a Lease Contract, Mortgage Contract, Property Deed, Utility Bill, Identification or Driver’s License, Motor Vehicle Record, Employment Letter, Income Tax Returns and/or Bank Statements.

Emancipation

Qualifications:

Student must have been financially independent from their parent/legal guardian, lived in Colorado for 12 months preceding the first day of classes and be able to prove that Colorado is their home of permanent residence.

Evidence of 12 months domicile in Colorado met (physical presence)
Evidence of intent to remain in Colorado met (ties to Colorado)

Steps:

Complete the Petition for In-State Tuition using student’s information.
Submit the Emancipation Determination Form that includes either the parent/legal guardian notarized Statement for Minor Claiming Emancipation OR sign the Student’s Declaration of Emancipation.
Submit student’s and parent/legal guardian’s State and Federal income tax returns for the last year filed.
Submit 12 months of financial statements that document all financial obligations are met without any financial assistance from any other individual.
Provide additional supportive documentation as specified on the forms.

Job Relocation

The tuition law was updated to reflect economic benefits (2007 & 2009) for the state when companies and employees move to Colorado. Students affected by a job relocation to Colorado within 12 months preceding classes may be eligible for in-state tuition.

Qualifications and Steps:

Student, parent/legal guardian (employer) moved entire business operations to Colorado as a result of receiving an incentive from the Colorado Office of Economic Development or an incentive from a local government economic incentive program.
- Complete the Local Economic Development Incentive Form‌ using the employee’s information.
- Submit letter verifying that the business’s move to Colorado was based on an economic incentive from the Colorado Office of Economic Development or a local government economic incentive program AND that the student or the student’s parent/legal guardian was employed by the company prior to the relocation.
Student’s parent/legal guardian moved the family to Colorado to accept a job during the student’s senior year in high school.
- Complete the In-State Correction Form using student’s information.
- Submit letter verifying parent/legal guardian job relocation to Colorado.
- Submit unofficial high school transcript or enrollment verification with high school start date.
Student’s parent/legal guardian moved to Colorado to take a faculty position at a state-supported institution of higher education.
- Complete the In-State Correction Form using parent/legal guardian’s information.
- Submit parent/legal guardian’s job offer letter on school’s letterhead.

Over Age 23

Students over the age of 23 the day before classes begin must use their information (except where noted).

Qualifications:

Student must have domicile in Colorado for 12-months preceding the first day of classes
- Evidence of physical presence in Colorado that includes but is not limited to Lease Contract, Mortgage Contract, Property Deed, Utility Bill and/or Bank Statements.
- Evidence of intent to remain in Colorado that includes but is not limited to Identification or Driver’s License, Motor Vehicle Record, Voter Registration, Employment Letter and/or Income Tax Returns

Steps:

New and Re-admit Students

Complete the In-State Correction Form using student’s information.

Continuing Students

Complete the Petition for In-State Tuition using student’s information.
Provide additional supportive documentation as specified on the form.

Exceptions for students over the age of 23 are listed below. If you fit in any of the options below, please select the drop down menu to read more.

ASSET (Over Age 23)

Qualifications:

Have been physically present for the 12 months immediately prior to the start of the semester.
Have attended a public or private high school in Colorado for at least three years immediately before graduating high school or obtaining a GED.

Steps:

Submit completed residency change request (see forms and deadlines) using student’s information.
Submit your official High School transcript to the Office of Admissions.
Students without lawful immigration status:
- Must be admitted to a Colorado college or university within 12 months of graduation from a Colorado high school or completion of a Colorado GED OR show continuous physical presence in Colorado for 18 months.
- Apply for the College Opportunity Fund (COF) and complete the affidavit indicating that you have applied for legal presence or will apply as soon as you are eligible to do so.

Additional information can be found at College in Colorado: Colorado ASSET.

DACA (Over Age 23)

Qualifications:

Student must have lived in Colorado for 12 months preceding the first day of classes and be able to prove that Colorado is their home of permanent residence

Student has a valid approved DACA status that was issued at least 12-months prior to the first day of classes.
Evidence of intent to remain in Colorado met (ties to Colorado).

Steps:

Submit completed residency change request (see forms and deadlines) using student’s information.
Provide proof of valid status.

Military / Veteran Students and Dependents

Active Duty

If you are an active duty military on Permanent Change of Station (PCS) order to Colorado or, receiving military benefits through Post-911, you can qualify for in-state tuition.

Students not using their military education benefits must submit the Active Duty Military Tuition Classification Form.
Students using their military education benefits: active duty military members and their dependents will be eligible for in-state tuition by providing the military member’s most recent Certificate of Eligibility.

Veteran

If you are within 3 years of discharge at the time of enrollment and intend to use Post 9/11 GI BIll or Montgomery GI Bill Chapter 30 you may qualify per federal legislation.
If it has been longer than 3 years or you are not using the Post 9/11 GI Bill or Montgomery GI Bill Chapter 30, you can still qualify for in-state tuition if you are a veteran with a DD-214 without regard to how long you have been in Colorado. You will need to submit the Veteran Tuition Application with the DD-214 and two documents showing you have moved to Colorado and your intent is to remain a Colorado resident permanently.
- Submit the Veteran Tuition Classification Form.

Colorado National Guard

If you are a member of the Colorado National Guard, you may be eligible for in-state tuition. Students qualifying for in-state tuition on this basis do not qualify for state-based aid. Guard members must be members of the Colorado National Guard by the day before classes begin for the semester. Unmarried dependants under the age of 22 by the first day of class and spouses also qualify.

Submit the CO National Guard Tuition Classification Form.

Elite Athlete In-State Tuition

If you are participating in a Colorado-based elite-level training program approved by the United States Olympic Committee and a National Governing Body of an Olympic, Paralympic, Pan American or Parapan American sport, you may be eligible to receive in-state tuition, regardless of your permanent residency.

To receive this classification :

Complete the Team USA In-State Tuition Athlete Verification Form
Submit form to ACE.edu@usoc.org to obtain your NGB and USOC approval
Submit the signed form to the Office of Admissions before the start of the semester.

For more information, please contact Megan Psyllos at 719-866-2775 or ACE.edu@usoc.org.

WICHE WUE

WICHE WUE is the Western Undergraduate Exchange, a program of the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE). Through WUE, students in western states (AK, AZ, CA, HI, ID, MT, NV, NM, ND, OR, SD, UT, WA, WY, Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands - CNMI) may enroll in many two-year and four-year college programs at a reduced tuition level: 150 percent of the institution’s regular resident tuition. WUE tuition is considerably less than non-resident tuition.

Qualifications:

Student (23 and over) or parent/legal guardian (under 23) must have domicile in an approved western state for 12-months preceding the first day of classes and claim that state as their home of permanent residence

Steps:

Complete the WUE Application using student information for qualifying person.
Submit completed form to Office of Admissions before the start of classes in the students first semester.

Please note: If you are requesting to be a part of the WUE program, you are indicating you are not a Colorado resident and will not establish Colorado residency during your time of attendance at MSU Denver. If you plan to establish your residency in Colorado and would like to petition for in-state benefits at MSU Denver during your time of attendance, it is recommended you do not claim another state as your state of residence.

Although the law remains the same for each student, not one student’s case is alike.

Please contact the Office of Admissions with specific questions and check your school-issued email regularly for correspondences related to specific inquiries, the status of your forms and/or the residency decision.

Access your email now via the StudentHub.

Tuition Classification Officer
residency@msudenver.edu

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