Residency Verification Requirements

New students, as well as returning students, who were not enrolled the previous semester, are required to submit proof of Texas and In-District residency (when applicable). Verifications should be submitted when an application is made or during registration. Failure to provide residence verification or the additional fees owed will result in denial of future registrations as well as a hold being placed on the student’s records.

F1 visa holders are not eligible to domicile in the US per US Citizenship and Immigration Services; therefore, a student holding an F1 visa would not be eligible to apply for in-state residency for tuition purposes.

Changes in Residency Classification

Nonresident to Resident

  • Texas Education Code, Sec. 54.056, mandates that students who were erroneously charged a nonresident (out-of-state) rate shall be reimbursed for the difference between nonresident and resident tuition upon providing the required documentation set forth by the State of Texas.

Out-of-District (TX Resident) or Border State (AR or OK) to In-District

  • Because out-of-district and in-district rates are not governed by the State of Texas, institutions of higher education may develop their own refund policy regarding changes in classification under these circumstances. Students planning to apply for a partial tuition refund by providing residency documentation that will change their classification from Out-of-District or Border State to In-District must do so before the official reporting date (as set by the Coordinating Board of Texas) for the current semester.  Institution policy requires students to submit documentation to prove, at least, six consecutive months of Bowie County residency prior to the start of the term for which the student is applying.
  • Such refunds will be made for the current semester only and not for prior semesters attended. Documentation being submitted after the official reporting date will result in the student’s classification being changed for the following semester and not for the current semester. Retroactive refunds will not be issued, as it is the responsibility of the student to update addresses promptly.

Official reporting dates are as follows:

  • Fall and Spring semesters:
    • 16-17-wks – 12th class day
    • 14-wks – 10th class day
    •  8-wks – 6th class day
  • Summer semesters:
    • 10-12-wks – 12th class day
    • 5-wks – 4th class day
  • Mini semesters:
    • 2-wks – 1st class day
  • Classes of varying lengths: prorated accordingly

If an error is detected in residency determination – either by administrative staff or by erroneous information on the residence portion of the application – additional tuition may be charged during the semester. Failure to pay the additional charges will result in a hold being placed on the student’s record.