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Handbook of Operating Procedures

Determination of Resident and Non-Resident Tuition Status

Policy Number: 58

Subject:

Eligibility for in-state tuition rates

Scope:

Applicants and current students

Date Reviewed:
April 2021
Responsible Office:
Office of the Registrar
Responsible Executive:
Executive Vice President & Chief Academic Officer

I. POLICY AND GENERAL STATEMENT

Before an individual may register at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston ("University") and pay tuition at the rate provided for residents of the State of Texas, the individual must provide required information regarding his or her residency status.

The Registrar is the Residence Determination Official for the University.

II. PROCEDURE

Applicants enrolling for the first time and current students wanting to have their status reviewed for reclassification must provide a Core Residency Form and additional information regarding their residence status as required by state law. Based on the information provided by applicants and current students, the Registrar will determine residence status prior to the official census date of each academic term. Individuals classified as non-residents will be required to pay tuition at the non-resident rate.

If the University determines an individual has been erroneously classified as a resident, the individual will be required to pay tuition at the non-resident rate beginning the next academic term after the error is discovered. Individuals incorrectly classified as a resident and who failed to provide the Registrar with requested or relevant information regarding their residence status will be required to pay the difference between resident and non-resident tuition for all academic terms for which the individual paid tuition at the resident rate.  Students who provide false information to the Registrar regarding their residence status will be required to pay the difference between resident and non-resident tuition for all academic terms for which the student paid tuition at the resident rate and will be subject to appropriate disciplinary procedures, up to and including expulsion.

Payment must be made within 30 days of the date the individual is notified. Until the amount is paid in full, the individual is not entitled to receive:

  • a certificate;
  • a diploma; or
  • an official transcript based on or including credit for courses taken while the person was mistakenly classified as a resident of Texas.

If the University erroneously classifies an individual as a non-resident, the resident tuition rate will be assessed beginning with the academic term in which the error is discovered. The University will also refund the amount of tuition paid in excess of the resident tuition rate for all terms in which the student was erroneously classified. If financial aid resources were used to pay the tuition, all financial aid policies and procedures will be considered prior to any reimbursement to the student.

III. CONTACTS