NSU Residency Status FAQs

• If I filed an Oklahoma tax return do I automatically qualify as an Oklahoma resident?
• If my parents or I own real estate in Oklahoma and/or pay Oklahoma state income taxes, will I automatically qualify for in-state tuition?
• Will my resident status automatically change after living in Oklahoma for one year?
• If I have attended NSU for more than one year, will I qualify as an Oklahoma resident?
• If I am a dependent student, how is my residency determined?
• If I have one parent who lives in Oklahoma and one in another state, what is my residency status?
• I have several close relatives that are Oklahoma residents. Can I reside with one of them and gain residency?
• If I have a parent or relative who graduated from NSU do I qualify for in-state tuition?
• If I make a certain score on the ACT or SAT, am I eligible to pay in-state tuition?
• My petition for in-state tuition was approved. Can I lose my residency status?
• My petition was not approved because I was unable to meet some of the requirements. Can I petition again?
• I am in the military and Oklahoma is my home state. Does that qualify me as an Oklahoma resident?
• My Parent is in the military and Oklahoma is my home state. Does that qualify me as an Oklahoma resident?
• I recently married a resident of Oklahoma and we live in the state. Can I qualify for in-state tuition?

If I filed an Oklahoma tax return do I automatically qualify as an Oklahoma resident?

Filing an Oklahoma income tax return does not automatically qualify an individual as an Oklahoma resident. You must meet the criteria for Oklahoma resident status as defined in the OSRHE Residency Policy.

If my parents or I own real estate in Oklahoma or a second home and/or pay Oklahoma state income taxes, will I automatically qualify for in-state tuition?

Not necessarily. Resident status is based on the location of your domicile, which is considered to be your true, fixed, permanent home where you habitually reside. It is the place where you intend to remain and to which you expect to return. Since domicile has two components, residence and intent to remain indefinitely, a person can have more than one residence but only one domicile.

Will my resident status automatically change after living in Oklahoma for one year?

No. It is the student's responsibility to petition for residency reclassification once you have met the criteria for Oklahoma resident status as defined in the OSRHE Residency Policy.

If I have attended NSU for more than one year, will I qualify as an Oklahoma resident?

Attendance at an educational institution, albeit a continuous and long-term experience, is interpreted as temporary residence; therefore, a student neither gains nor loses residence status solely by such attendance.

If I am a dependent student, how is my residency determined?

The legal residence of a dependent person is that of his/her parents, or the legal residence of the parent who has legal custody or the parent with whom the student habitually resides. If the student is under the care of those other than his/her parents, the legal residence is that of his/her legal guardian.

If I have one parent who lives in Oklahoma and one in another state, what is my residency status?

If you are a dependent, your residency status is that of the legal residence of the parent who has legal custody or the parent with whom the student habitually resides. In addition to completing a Petition for Oklahoma Residency, you will need to provide supporting documentation of your dependent status or of primary care, custody and support by the parent residing in Oklahoma.

I have several close relatives that are Oklahoma residents. Can I reside with one of them and gain residency?

No. If you are considered a dependent, your residency status is that of your parent or guardian with legal custody.

If I have a parent or relative who graduated from NSU do I qualify for in-state tuition?

Having relatives who are alumni of NSU is not a factor in determining your residency status. You must meet the definition of an Oklahoma resident as defined in the OSRHE Residency Policy.

If I make a certain score on the ACT or SAT, am I eligible to pay in-state tuition?

For information on scholarships or tuition waivers available for students who attain a specified combination of GPA and ACT or SAT score, contact the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid.

My petition for in-state tuition was approved. Can I lose my residency status?

Yes. If you establish residency in another state or if you are absent from Oklahoma for at least twelve months for purposes other than education, you may lose your Oklahoma residency status.

My petition was not approved because I was unable to meet some of the requirements. Can I petition again?

Yes. If, at a later date, you feel that you meet all of the requirements for reclassification, you may submit a new Petition for Oklahoma Residency to the Office of Admissions and Recruitment and provide the needed documentation at that time.

I am in the military and Oklahoma is my home state. Does that qualify me as an Oklahoma resident?

To be considered for In-State you will need to provide the following items:

• Leave and Earning Statement with the last day of military service if active duty please include a copy of current orders and
• DD 214 Service Member Requests Copy 4 Member 4

My Parent is in the military and Oklahoma is my home state. Does that qualify me as an Oklahoma resident?

To be considered for In State you will need to provide the following items:

• Current Copy of Parents Orders placing you in current state

I recently married a resident of Oklahoma and we live in the state. Can I qualify for in-state tuition?

If your spouse already holds Oklahoma residence status, you may be eligible for Oklahoma residency status. You should submit a Petition for Oklahoma Residency to the Office of Admissions and Recruitment, along with a copy of your marriage license and other supporting documentation.