Residency

A change in resident status for tuition purposes is not granted automatically. An individual who has been classified as a non-resident at the time of application submission must submit a Georgia Residence Petition and all applicable supporting documentation before resident status can be determined. Within 1-2 weeks of receipt of the completed petition, a committee will review your information and determine your residency status.

Individuals who have been classified as non-residents but believe they qualify for resident status should review the various categories outlined in the Georgia Residence Petition. After determining the appropriate category, each applicant should:

1. Complete and submit the Georgia Residence Petition  - pdf

2. Provide photocopies of required support documentation outlined in the Georgia Residence Petition 

Once a student has submitted an application to Georgia College, a Georgia Residence Petition can be submitted for the term the student is intending to enroll. Residency applications should be completed as soon as possible.

This form is used as a means to correct errors made on the residency portion of Georgia College's electronic application for admission. This form is NOT a Petition for Georgia Residency Classification and should not be used for the establishment of residency classification for tuition and fee payment purposes. If you have any questions please contact the Office of Admissions at 478-445-2771.

This petition should be submitted only if we have already notified you that you have been classified as a nonresident for tuition purposes and you think that further information could alter that decision.  You must demonstrate that you, your parent, your spouse, or your court-appointed guardian (if you are a minor) is a legal resident of Georgia for tuition purposes. You may establish this claim by providing documentation to support the definition established by the Board of Regents. Please note that establishing residency for tuition purposes as defined by the Board of Regents is different than residency for purposes of such things as voting, having a GA license/tag, etc., and requires more than establishing eligibility to vote, securing a driver's license, and/or paying taxes. 

NOTE: This petition is not necessary for the following waiver categories: 

1. If you are active duty military personnel assigned to Georgia, or you are the spouse or dependent child of active duty military personnel assigned to Georgia
2. If you are a full-time employee of, or the spouse or dependent child of a full-time employee of the University System of Georgia, a public school system in Georgia, or the Georgia Department of Technical and Adult Education. 

If one of the above two categories apply to your situation, you should contact the GCSU Business Office at 478-445-5254 for information regarding an out-of-state tuition waiver. In these cases, you should not complete this residency petition.

You, your parent, your spouse or your court-appointed guardian should meet ALL the following criteria: 

• The person has always resided in Georgia or can demonstrate that they currently reside in Georgia and residency in any other state or country has been abandoned.  Maintenance of ties with another state or country will contribute to a nonresident classification and include such things as: financial support from a person who is a resident of another state or country, payment of income taxes to another state, registering a vehicle or securing a driver’s license in another state or country.
• The person has lived in Georgia for the 12 consecutive months immediately preceding the start date for the term and their 12-month durational requirement has not included time attending any educational institution in Georgia on a full-time basis.
• The person can demonstrate that they moved to Georgia for purposes other than attending any educational institution in the state of Georgia.
• The person can demonstrate economic self-sufficiency and has contributed to the state by paying meaningful taxes.
• The person is a U.S. citizen, Resident Alien or is in visa status permitting indefinite or permanent residence in the United States.

OR

• You are a U.S. citizen, Resident Alien or are in visa status permitting indefinite or permanent residence in the United States AND
• You can demonstrate that you have been transferred to Georgia by your employer within the last 12 months OR you previously held residency status in Georgia but moved from the state and returned within the last 12 months.

The form must be printed, filled out, signed and emailed or mailed to the Office of Admissions.

Please note: Signature must be handwritten, not typed

Email: admissions@gcsu.edu 

Mail: Georgia College Office of Admissions, CBX 023, Milledgeville, GA 31061

How long will it take to have a decision? A change in resident status for tuition purposes is not granted automatically. An individual who has been classified as a non-resident at the time of application submission must submit a Georgia Residence Petition and all applicable supporting documentation before resident status can be determined. Within 1-2 weeks of receipt of the completed petition, a committee will review your information and determine your residency status.

How long does it take to establish residency in Georgia? Students must prove that they have established a primary or permanent Georgia home at least 12 months immediately preceding the beginning of classes for the semester in which they were admitted.

What if I will have established domicile while I am currently enrolled? Enrollment at Georgia College during the 12 months prior to the term for which you are seeking residency will adversely affect your residency eligibility. You must have established a primary or permanent Georgia home at least 12 months immediately preceding the beginning of classes for the semester in which you will be attending in order to be considered a Georgia resident.

What if I only moved to Georgia to attend school? Individuals who have moved to Georgia primarily to enroll in a post-secondary institution in Georgia will be considered a non-resident for tuition purposes for the duration of his/her attendance at the University. 

I have a Georgia driver's license. Does this mean I qualify as a Georgia resident? All applicants for admission to Georgia College should be aware that an individual may qualify as a "resident" of Georgia for one purpose (such as securing a Georgia driver's license) and still not meet the standards established by the Board of Regents for resident tuition status. Individuals seeking a Georgia residency determination for tuition purposes should, therefore, carefully study all aspects of the law and these regulations before seeking resident tuition status.

I will graduate from an out-of-state high school, but I am a dependent of my parents who have established domicile in Georgia. Do I qualify for in-state tuition? Individuals who did not graduate from a Georgia high school may be considered a non-resident at the time of admission. However, they can submit the Georgia Residence Petition to appeal for in-state residency.