Residency
Basic Residency Requirements
For tuition purposes, according to Texas Education Code 54.075 and Texas Higher Educational Coordinating Board Rules 21.727, all students must submit a completed set of core residency questions. These questions will be used by the institution to determine if the person is a resident. The following persons shall be classified as Texas Residents and entitled to pay resident tuition at all institutions of higher education.
• A person who was enrolled at a Texas public institution during a fall or spring semester within the previous twelve months and was classified as a Texas resident for tuition purposes.
• A person who (a) graduated from a public or accredited private high school in this state or as an alternative to high school graduation received the equivalent of a high school diploma in this state, AND (b) maintained a residence continuously in this state for the 36 months immediately preceding the date of graduation or receipt of the diploma equivalent as applicable and the 12 months preceding the census date of the academic semester in which the person enrolls.
• A person or a dependent whose parent established a domicile in this state not less than 12 months before the census date of the academic semester in which the student enrolls in an institution AND maintained a residence continuously in the state for the 12 months immediately preceding the census date of the academic semester in which the person enrolls in an institution
Establishing Residency
HCC is required by state law to determine the residency status of all students for tuition purposes. All new students must provide the institution with a completed set of core residency questions and substantiating documentation to affirm their residence. Students who have not enrolled for two or more consecutive regular semesters (Fall & Spring) must complete the residency core questions and satisfy all applicable requirements to establish residency. Additional documentation may be requested at any time following registration.
Residency is determined at the time of registration, either by a student’s current address or by the address of a parent or legal guardian if the student is being claimed or is eligible to be claimed as a dependent for federal income tax purposes. A post office box can be used for a mailing address but cannot be used to establish residency. It is the responsibility of the student to register under the correct residency classification. A complete set of rules and regulations for determining residency is available at each Admissions Office.
For tuition purposes, student will be classified according to the following guidelines. The Registrar is the final authority on all questions of residency.
In-District Residency
• Students who have met the basic Texas residency requirements and live in the HCC district (Houston ISD, Alief ISD, Stafford MSD, and part of Missouri City).
• Students who have a street address in the district. Post office boxes and dormitory addresses cannot be used.
Out-of-District Residency
• Students who have met the basis Texas residency requirements and live outside the HCC district
Out-of-State Residency
• A student who has not resided in Texas for 12 months immediately preceding registration.
• A non-resident student classification is presumed to be correct as long as the residence in the state is primarily used for the purpose of attending school. To be reclassified as a resident (after one or more years of residency), the student must show proof of intent to establish Texas as his/her permanent legal residence.
A non-resident who marries a Texas resident must establish his/her own residency
Change of Residency
(change of residency petition)
Change from out-of-district residency to in-district residency must be made at the time of registration. Any address change which results in a change to in-district status must be accompanied by adequate documentation. Changes to in-district status made after registration will be effective the following semester.
A student who qualifies for a change from out-of-state to in-state residency status for tuition purposes may file a petition for change of residency. The petition must be filed by the Official Day of Record for the regular term in order to receive any refund of tuition paid for that term.
Returning Students
All returning students who have not enrolled for two consecutive regular semesters (fall or spring) shall submit the information required to establish residency and satisfy all the applicable requirements to establish residency.
Affirmation of Residence for Returning Students Form
