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Requirements to establish Idaho residency

There are two components to establish Idaho residency for tuition purposes: Pathway and Domicile. Applicants first determine which Pathway (numbered 1 through 8) that all conditions are met for, and then second domicile requirements only if noted as required* by the selected Pathway (some pathways do not require domicile), in order to qualify as an Idaho resident for tuition purposes.

Pathways to establish residency

1. Dependent student

   Student is a dependent of parent/legal guardian who has been domiciled in Idaho for at least 12 months prior to the term the student is applying for residency. The parent/guardian must show evidence of maintaining a bona fide domicile* in Idaho for at least 12 months.

2. Independent student

   Student is not a dependent of parent/legal guardian, has continuously resided in and can demonstrate maintenance of a bona fide domicile* in Idaho for non-educational purposes for at least 12 months prior to the term applying for residency.

3. Graduate of Idaho high school

   Student graduated from an accredited high school in Idaho, is domiciled in Idaho and begins college within eight years immediately following high school graduation.

4. Elementary/secondary education completed in Idaho

   Student completed six years of elementary or secondary school in Idaho, is domiciled in Idaho and begins college within eight years immediately following high school graduation.

5. Married to an Idaho resident

   Student is married to a person who is classified, or eligible for classification, as an Idaho resident for the purposes of attending an Idaho public institution. Spouse must demonstrate maintenance of a bona fide domicile* in Idaho for at least 12 months prior to the term applying for residency. *If the student has been enrolled full-time during the prior 12 months, then residency must be based on self under the Independent Student pathway 2.

6. Armed forces

   Any independent student, spouse or parent/guardian of a dependent student who meets one of the following criteria. Armed forces include U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and the reserve forces of those groups. It does not include related civilian employees.

   1. You may earn residency if you are a member of the armed forces who:
   2. Member of Armed Forces who entered service as an Idaho resident, has maintained Idaho resident status, but is stationed outside of Idaho on military orders.
   3. Member of Armed Forces stationed in Idaho on military orders.
   4. Officer or enlisted member of the Idaho National Guard.
   5. Member who has separated under honorable conditions after at least 2 years of service and enters an Idaho public institution within 1 year of separation date:
      1. Who at the time of separation designated Idaho as intended domicile or
      2. Who listed Idaho as home of record in service
   6. Member who has separated under honorable conditions after at least 2 years of service and who moves to Idaho for purpose of establishing domicile; provided, however, to maintain status as a resident student, must actively establish domicile* within 1 year of registration at an Idaho public institution.

7. Member of Idaho Native American Indian tribe

   Student who is a member of one of the following tribes: Coeur d’Alene, Eastern Shoshone, Kootenai, Nez Perce, Shoshone-Paiute, Shoshone-Bannock or Northwestern Shoshone.

8. Graduate or professional student at an Idaho institution

   Student must meet all of the following requirements:

   • Graduated from an Idaho institution of higher education.
   • Physically resided in Idaho for at least the final 12 months of undergraduate studies.
   • Earned a bachelor’s degree that meets admission standards into the graduate or professional program.
   • Enrolls within 36 months after receiving bachelor’s degree.

Domicile requirements

Domicile is an individual's true, fixed and permanent home and place of habitation. Establishment of Idaho domicile is supported by demonstrating the following criteria has been maintained for a minimum of 12 months prior to the start of the term. Follow the applicable track option only if domicile* is required by selected pathway:

TRACK A: Independent undergraduate students enrolled full time during the prior 12 months must prove these minimum requirements:

• Permanent full-time (30+ hours per week or 120+ hours per month) employment in Idaho and
• Filing of an Idaho resident tax return for the prior year.

TRACK B: A parent/guardian, spouse or independent student not enrolled full time in the prior 12 months must prove these minimum requirements:

• Permanent full-time (30+ hours per week or 120+ hours per month) employment in Idaho and
• Filing of an Idaho resident tax return for the prior year.

Or show at least five of the following:

• Ownership or leasing of residence in Idaho.
• Registration and payment of Idaho taxes or fees (vehicle), other than income tax.
• Registration to vote in Idaho.
• Idaho driver’s license or ID card.
• Evidence of abandonment of previous domicile.
• Establishment of accounts with Idaho financial institutions.
• Other factors such as
  1. enrollment of dependent children in Idaho primary or secondary schools;
  2. acceptance of permanent employment in Idaho;
  3. documentation of need to care for relative in Idaho;
  4. utility statements; or
  5. employment documentation.

TRACK C: Graduate or professional students must demonstrate full-time enrollment at an institution of higher education in Idaho.

When to apply

The deadline to submit applications is the 10th day of the semester; however, all qualifications must be met for a minimum of 12 months before the first day of the semester.

Residency may be reviewed for the summer, but non-resident tuition is not charged during the summer term.

WWAMI and WIMU residency certifications are accepted during the secondary application review period. Deadlines are set by UW, UU and WSU respectively.

Students will be emailed a decision within three to five business days after receipt of application.

How to apply

Step 1: Review the requirements

Confirm you qualify for a pathway and, if required, domicile. You must be able to provide documentation.

Step 2: Complete the worksheet

Follow the instructions carefully and fill out only the sections for your selected Pathway (1–8).

Section 1 (general Information) of the worksheet must be completed by all applicants. U of I students must use VandalMail; WWAMI and WIMU applicants may use a personal email. Term and year seeking residency for WWAMI or WIMU is when starting program (e.g. Fall 2026).

Applicants who are not U.S. citizens must also read and complete the form to include with their worksheet and documentation.

Step 3: Gather documentation

Collect copies of required documents, as noted on the right side of the ÷ÈÓ°Ö±²¥ instructions for each required section and associated questions. All documents must be in the name of the person on whom residency is based (student, spouse or parent/guardian). Applicants may be asked to supply additional documentation during the review.

Step 4: Sign the worksheet

You must personally sign to attest to the accuracy of all information. If residency is based on a parent, guardian or spouse, they must also sign.

Step 5: Submit your application

Submit your original signed worksheet and copies of required documentation by USPS, in-person or via email.

Worksheets (fillable PDF documents)

Submitting documents

In person:

Registrar’s Office
Bruce Pitman Center Room 119

By mail:

Office of the Registrar
÷ÈÓ°Ö±²¥
875 Perimeter Drive MS 4260
Moscow, ID 83844-4260

By email:

registrar@uidaho.edu

Please redact any confidential or banking account information before submitting.