Tuition Classifications and Waivers

Tuition Classification

A student is responsible for registering under the proper tuition classification. Applicants who are classified by North Georgia College & State University as "out-of-state" for tuition payment purposes but wish to qualify as "in-state" must file an Application for In-state Tuition with the Office of Undergraduate Admission. The burden of proof that the student qualifies for in-state tuition under the regulations of the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia rests with the student.

A person's legal residence is her/his permanent dwelling place. It is the place where he/she is generally understood to reside with the intent of remaining there indefinitely and returning there when absent. There must be a concurrence of actual residence and of intent to remain to acquire a legal residence.

Under the constitution and laws of Georgia, the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia was created to govern, control and manage a system of public institutions providing quality higher education for the benefit of Georgia citizens. The state, in turn, receives substantial benefit from individuals who are attending or who have attended these institutions through their significant contributions to the civic, political, economic and social advancement of the citizens of the State of Georgia. Because the overwhelming proportion of financial support for the operation of the public institutions of higher education in Georgia comes from the citizens through the payment of taxes, the determination of whether a student is classified as a resident or a nonresident of the state for tuition purposes becomes a significant matter. The tuition paid by in-state students covers only about one-fourth of the total cost of their education in the University System. Therefore, Georgia taxpayers are contributing three-fourths of the necessary funds to provide quality education for the citizens of the state.

The practice followed by state colleges and universities of assessing out-of-state students a higher tuition rate is a rational attempt by states to achieve a partial cost equalization between those who have and those who have not recently contributed to the state's economy, even though there is no precise way to determine the degree to which higher tuition charges equalize the cost of educating in-state and out-of-state students.

The durational residency requirement (usually 12 months) imposed by most, if not all, states is considered by the courts to be a reasonable period during which the new resident can make tangible or intangible contributions to the state before being allowed the benefit of attending state colleges upon the payment of in-state fees. Courts, which have been faced with challenges to residency classification procedures, have consistently recognized the right of public institutions of higher education to charge higher rates to out-of-state students and to adopt reasonable criteria for determining the establishment of in-state status. See Martinez v. Bynum, 51 U.S.L.W. 4524 (Sup. Ct. May 2, 1983, Starnes v. Malkerson, 401 U.S. 985 (1971); Sturgis v. Washington, 368 Supp. 38 (W.D. Wa. 1973) aff'd mem. 414 U.S. 1057 (1973), and Michelson v. Cox, 476 F. Supp. 1315 (S.D. Iowa, 1979).

For the purpose of these regulations, the question to be answered is not primarily whether a student is a "resident" or "non-resident" of Georgia, but rather whether the student meets the criteria to pay University System fees on an "in-state" basis. The term "resident" is confusing because it is susceptible of several meanings as it relates to voter registration, drivers' licenses, automobile registration, deeds, contracts, wills, income taxes and other matters. A student may live in Georgia for some purposes, but not be entitled to in-state status for tuition purposes.

To be considered "in-state" for tuition payment purposes, one must have been a bona fide legal resident of Georgia for at least 12 months preceding the date of registration.

The Board of Regents has adopted certain policies governing the classification of students as "in-state" and "out-of-state" for tuition payment purposes in keeping with its responsibilities to the citizens of Georgia for an appropriate assessment of fees and to insure that out-of-state students pay a fair and reasonable share of the cost of their education. The taxpayers of Georgia are thereby assured that they are not assuming the financial burden of educating persons whose presence in the state is not intended to be permanent.

Out-of-State Tuition Waivers

Out-of-State tuition waivers are available for certain categories of students.  These are as follows

• Non-Resident. As of the first day of classes for the term, this waiver may be granted to a non-resident student if he or she is a dependent of a parent or U.S. court-appointed legal guardian or has a spouse who has maintained domicile in Georgia for at least 12 consecutive months. Please open the waiver for additional requirements.
• Economic Advantage. As of the first day of classes for the term, an economic advantage waiver may be granted to a dependent or independent student who can provide clear evidence that the student or the student's parent, spouse, or U.S. court-appointed guardian has relocated to the State of Georgia to accept full-time, self-sustaining employment and has established domicile in the State of Georgia. Relocation to the state must be for reasons other than enrolling in an institution of higher education. This waiver will expire 12 months from the date the waiver was granted.
• Full-Time School Employees. Full-time employees in the public schools of Georgia or of the Technical College System of Georgia, their spouses, and their dependent children. Teachers employed full-time on military bases in Georgia shall also qualify for this waiver.
• Military Personnel. Military personnel, their spouses, and their dependent children stationed in Georgia and on active duty, unless such military personnel are assigned as students to System institutions for educational purposes.
• Georgia National Guard and U.S. Military Reservist. Active members of the Georgia National Guard, stationed or assigned to Georgia or active members of a unit of the U.S. Military Reserves based in Georgia, and their spouses and their dependent children.
• Recently Separated Military Service Personnel. Members of a uniformed military service of the United States who, within 12 months of separation from such service, enroll in an academic program and demonstrate an intent to become a permanent resident of Georgia. This waiver may also be granted to their spouses and dependent children. This waiver may be granted for not more than one year.
• University System Employees and Dependents. Full-time employees of the University System, their spouses, and their dependent children.
• Career Consular Officials. Career consular officers, their spouses, and their dependent children who are citizens of the foreign Nation that their consular office represents and who are stationed and living in Georgia under orders of their respective governments.
• International and Domestic Exchange Program Students. A student who enrolls in a University System institution as a participant in an international or domestic direct exchange program that provides reciprocal benefits to University System students. The program coordinator will provide a list of students participating in this program to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. These students will then receive this waiver.
• Vocational Rehabilitation Waiver. Students enrolled in a University System of Georgia institution based on a referral by the Vocational Rehabilitation Program of the Georgia Department of Labor.