As an institution receiving support from State of Illinois tax revenue, Illinois State University extends a preferential tuition rate to residents of the state. Residency status is determined by applicable state and federal law and University policy. If you are an out-of-state student who qualifies for in-state tuition, please refer to Policy 7.7.9 of University Policies and Procedures.
General Information
Determination of residency for dependent students
A student's residence is presumed to be that of the parent(s) or legal guardian unless the student is independent and establishes a separate residence. For the purpose of these regulations, the term legal guardian and parent are interchangeable. In the case of a student with an in-state and an out-of-state parent, the student's residency status shall be in-state. A person whose parent(s) moves to Illinois may become a resident at the beginning of the term following the move.
Determination of independent status
A student may qualify for residency independent of the domicile of their parents if the student has been a resident of Illinois for at least six (6) months prior to the beginning of an academic term.
Documentation that may be used to document residency:
- Required: Valid Illinois Driver's License OR Illinois State Identification card
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- Official Illinois Voter's Registration
- Proof of Illinois automobile registration
- Student's prior year Federal/State Income Tax return
- Apartment lease (a residence hall contract may not be used to establish residency)/proof of mortgage payments
- Alien Registration:
- Permanent resident status with an alien registration receipt card (I-151 or I-551)
- Conditional Permanent Resident (Temporary INS stamp in VISA)
- I-94 with any one of the following designations: Refugee, Asylum Granted, Indefinite/Parole, or Cuban-Haitian Entrant
Special Considerations
Residency through marriage
A non-resident shall be classified as a resident if their spouse is a resident of Illinois.
Maintaining residency while living in another state (other than military service)
A person who claims Illinois domicile while living in another state or country must provide proof of continued Illinois domicile. Proof may include, but is not limited to, evidence that the person (or parent or legal guardian as applicable) has not acquired a domicile in another state and has filed and paid regular Illinois resident state income tax returns during the absence.
Military Service
The following circumstances related to military service will establish residency:
- If a person is on active military duty and stationed in Illinois, that person, their spouse and any dependents shall be deemed Illinois residents for tuition purposes.
- If a person is on active military duty and is stationed out of State, but they were stationed in this State for at least 30 days immediately prior to being reassigned out of State, then that person, their spouse and any dependents shall be deemed Illinois residents for tuition purposes, as long as that person or their dependent:
- Applies for admission to the University within 18 months of the person on active military duty being reassigned, or
- Remains continuously enrolled at the University (110 ILCS 675/20-880)
A member of the armed forces who is on active duty in Illinois for a period of more than 30 days will be charged tuition at the in-state rate. The in-state rate will apply as long as the member of the armed forces, spouse, or dependent children are continuously enrolled, notwithstanding a subsequent change in the permanent duty status of the member outside of Illinois. (20 U.S.C.A. & 1015d)
Beginning with the 2013-2014 academic year, a person utilizing benefits under the federal post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008 or any subsequent variation of that Act will be considered a resident for purposes of this policy. This also includes:
- A veteran who has been discharged from military service on any basis other than dishonorable;
- An active duty member of the United States Armed Forces;
- A member of the Illinois National Guard;
- A member of a Reserve component of the United States Armed Forces;
- Any dependent receiving US Department of Veterans Affairs education benefits.
In-state residency for university staff, graduate assistants, and school teachers
Staff members of the University and of allied agencies, and faculties of state-supported institutions of higher education in Illinois, holding an appointment of at least one-quarter time, and their spouses and dependent children, shall be treated as residents.
Graduate students holding a graduate assistantship shall be treated as residents.
Teachers in the public and private elementary and secondary schools of Illinois are considered residents if they hold an appointment of at least one-quarter time.
Transfer of place of employment
An employee, or a spouse of an employee, transferred to Illinois by their employer for full-time employment purposes and residing in Illinois, qualifies for reclassification without waiting the six (6) months if citizenship or alien registration requirements are met and the residency application submission deadline is met.
High School Residency Pursuant to State Statute (110 ILCS 675/20-88)
Effective Fall 2003, an individual will be considered an Illinois resident, if all of the following conditions are met:
- The individual resided with their parent or guardian while attending a public or private high school in this State.
- The individual graduated from a public or private high school or received the equivalent of a high school diploma in this State.
- The individual attended school in this State for at least 3 years as of the date the individual graduated from high school or received the equivalent of a high school diploma.
- The individual registered as an entering student in the University not earlier than the 2003 fall semester.
- In the case of an individual who is not a citizen or a permanent resident of the United States, the individual provides the University with an affidavit stating that the individual will file an application to become a permanent resident of the United States at the earliest opportunity the individual is eligible to do so.
Special Considerations for Non-citizens
A person who is not a citizen of the United States of America may establish resident status unless the person holds a visa which precludes intent to permanently reside in the United States.
Noncitizens may commence establishment of residency with notification of permanent residency status by the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service provided the person meets and complies with all the applicable requirements of these Regulations.
A nonresident shall be classified as a resident if their spouse is a resident of Illinois and meets the applicable requirements of these regulations. A noncitizen may establish residency through their resident spouse, unless the person holds a visa which precludes an intent to permanently reside in the United States.
Under extreme circumstances a non-citizen may request consideration of in-state residency based upon a severe economic hardship caused by unforeseen, documentable, circumstances beyond the student's control. These circumstances may include the loss of a financial sponsor, unexpected changes in the financial condition of the student's source of support, or substantial devaluation of currency or exchange rates in the home country.
Consideration for severe economic hardship will only be extended to those students who are in full compliance with all applicable rules and regulations, are in good academic standing, and have completed a minimum of one year in residence at Illinois State University. These circumstances are necessary for consideration, but do not guarantee approval of residency.
Application Deadlines for Residency Status Changes
Access current residency dates at Residency Dates.
Appeals
A student who is denied in –state residency status may file a written appeal to the Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education, Illinois State University, Campus Box 4000, Normal, IL 61790-4000 within ten (10) business days of the notification of status.