How to Qualify for In-State Tuition in Minnesota

Residency Requirements

To qualify for in-state tuition in Minnesota, you must meet the following residency requirements (as per Minnesota State System Board Policy 2.2 and the University of Minnesota’s Office of Admissions):

Key Facts

Residency Duration: You must have resided in Minnesota for at least one calendar year immediately prior to applying for in-state tuition.
Intent: Your primary reason for being in Minnesota should not be solely to attend school.
Domicile: You need to establish domicile in Minnesota before the beginning of any semester or quarter. Domicile refers to your true, fixed, and permanent living place, where you intend to return after temporary absences.
Threshold Requirements: In addition to meeting the residency duration and intent criteria, you must also fulfill the following threshold requirements:
a. Continuous Presence: Demonstrating continuous presence in Minnesota during periods when you were not enrolled as a student.
b. Financial Support: Sources for your financial support should be generated within Minnesota.
c. Family or Guardian Domicile: Domicile in Minnesota of your family, guardian, or other relatives or persons legally responsible for you.
d. Home Ownership: Ownership of a home in Minnesota.
e. Permanent Residence: Permanent residence in Minnesota.

It’s important to note that no single factor is sufficient to support a claim for in-state tuition, and each case is evaluated based on the facts and circumstances presented.

Residency DurationYou must have resided in Minnesota for at least one calendar year immediately prior to applying for in-state tuition (Minnesota State System Board Policy 2.2).
IntentYour primary reason for being in Minnesota should not be solely to attend school (University of Minnesota’s Office of Admissions).

Establishing Domicile

In addition to meeting the residency duration and intent criteria, you must also establish domicile in Minnesota before the beginning of any semester or quarter (Minnesota State Residency Policy). Domicile refers to your true, fixed, and permanent living place, where you intend to return after temporary absences.

Threshold Requirements

To demonstrate domicile, you must also fulfill the following threshold requirements:

Continuous PresenceDemonstrating continuous presence in Minnesota during periods when you were not enrolled as a student.
Financial SupportSources for your financial support should be generated within Minnesota.
Family or Guardian DomicileDomicile in Minnesota of your family, guardian, or other relatives or persons legally responsible for you.
Home OwnershipOwnership of a home in Minnesota.
Permanent ResidencePermanent residence in Minnesota.

Additional Considerations

It’s important to note that no single factor is sufficient to support a claim for in-state tuition, and each case is evaluated based on the facts and circumstances presented (Minnesota State Residency Policy).

Exceptions

Exceptions to the residency requirements may apply to individuals in the following categories:

Students who qualify under a Board-approved agreement between a governmental subdivision and a college or university (Minnesota State Residency Policy).
Students who are recognized as refugees by the Office of Refugee Resettlement of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (Minnesota State Residency Policy).
U.S. military personnel serving on active duty assignment in Minnesota and their spouses and dependent children (Minnesota State Residency Policy).

Application Process

If you believe you meet the criteria for in-state tuition, you should contact the Residency Officer in the Office of the Registrar at your college or university. You may also need to complete an Application for Resident Classification (Minnesota State Residency Policy).

Sources

FAQs

How long do I need to live in Minnesota to qualify for in-state tuition?

You must have resided in Minnesota for at least one calendar year immediately prior to applying for in-state tuition.

What is the definition of “domicile” for the purposes of in-state tuition?

Domicile refers to your true, fixed, and permanent living place, where you intend to return after temporary absences.

What are some examples of factors that can be used to demonstrate domicile in Minnesota?

Examples of factors that can be used to demonstrate domicile in Minnesota include:

Continuous presence in Minnesota during periods when you were not enrolled as a student
Sources for your financial support are generated within Minnesota
Domicile in Minnesota of your family, guardian, or other relatives or persons legally responsible for you
Ownership of a home in Minnesota
Permanent residence in Minnesota

Are there any exceptions to the residency requirements for in-state tuition?

Yes, there are exceptions for individuals in the following categories:

Students who qualify under a Board-approved agreement between a governmental subdivision and a college or university
Students who are recognized as refugees by the Office of Refugee Resettlement of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
U.S. military personnel serving on active duty assignment in Minnesota and their spouses and dependent children

How do I apply for in-state tuition?

What is the deadline to apply for in-state tuition?

The deadline to apply for in-state tuition varies by institution. Contact the Residency Officer at your college or university for more information.

What happens if my application for in-state tuition is denied?

If your application for in-state tuition is denied, you can appeal the decision. The appeal process varies by institution. Contact the Residency Officer at your college or university for more information.

Can I get a refund of out-of-state tuition if I am later granted in-state tuition?

Yes, you may be eligible for a refund of out-of-state tuition if you are later granted in-state tuition. Contact the Bursar’s Office at your college or university for more information.