Resident Reclassification for Fee Purposes

Because the University of Arkansas Board of Trustees policy governing reclassification states the burden of proof is on the person seeking to be reclassified, all of the following must be submitted and verified by the student for eligibility:

  1. Has established financial independence and has left the parental home.
  2. Has established in this state a home of permanent nature as manifested by good faith acts.
  3. Has physically resided in Arkansas for at least six consecutive months prior to the beginning of the term for which fees are to be paid.
  4. Has an expectation of remaining in the state beyond graduation.

We recommend that you carefully read the board policy and the applicable exceptions.  

Residency Policy

Arkansas Tribes Exception

Military Exception

UA Employee Exception

Bowie County Exception

Applications and appropriate documentation must be received by the Office of the Registrar no later than the fifth class day of the term for which in-state fee assessment is requested. Applications received after the deadline will be considered for the next term.

Please refer to the reclassification of residency Quick Guide to see what you will need to be reclassified. You can also refer to the FAQ listed below.

Download the petition for Reclassification as an Arkansas Resident for Tuition and Fee Purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions

For a student under age 24, determination of domicile will be made by the Admissions Office based on the legal residency of the student’s parents when the student is admitted to the university and will be conveyed to the student upon acceptance. A student's prior domicile is assumed to continue until he or she clearly establishes a bona fide domicile in Arkansas.
No, however a non-resident tuition award (NRTA) for entering freshmen from out of state is a scholarship opportunity available through the Academic Scholarship Office that will cover a portion of non-resident tuition fees if the student meets eligibility requirements. Information regarding eligibility may be obtained by going to the Non-Resident Tuition Award website or calling 479-575-4464.
Yes, residents of Texarkana, Texas, and Bowie County, Texas, will be classified as in-state students for university fee purposes at the University of Arkansas. The student will need to provide documentation such as a parent’s driver's license or vehicle registration or personal property statement.
Maybe. Native American people in other states belonging to tribes which formerly lived in Arkansas before relocation, and whose names are on the rolls in tribal headquarters, shall be classified as "in-state" students of Arkansas for tuition and fee purposes on all campuses of the University of Arkansas. Tribes so identified include the Caddo, Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek, Delaware, Kickapoo, Osage, Peoria, Quapaw, Shawnee and Tunica. The student must provide their CDIB or tribal membership card.
No. The student on a temporary visa will be classified as a foreign student and will pay non-resident tuition and fees. International students should direct all residency questions to the International Admissions Office.
Maybe. The single fact of living in Arkansas for six months or attending the University does not automatically make you eligible for reclassification. You will need to provide evidence that your residence in Arkansas is of a permanent nature for reclassification consideration and that you meet all requirements listed in the reclassification guide.
Yes, the six-month period may be waived for persons, their spouses, and their unmarried children (who have not reached 24) who move to Arkansas with attendance at the university only as a by-product of the primary purpose of establishing domicile in this state. Documentation of residency and intent to establish domicile is required to include an AR DL and AR vehicle registration.
Yes, the spouse of a person who is a resident of Arkansas (for at least six months immediately prior to the beginning of the term in which the fees are to be paid) upon request shall be classified as "in-state." Documentation of the spouse’s residency status must be provided.
Yes, an unmarried student who has not reached 24 having one parent residing in Arkansas (for at least six consecutive months immediately prior to the beginning of the term in which fees are to be paid) may be considered an "in-state" student for fee purposes, even if that student resided outside the state with the other parent before coming to Arkansas to attend the university.

Maybe. If a student is under 24 years of age and unmarried, that student cannot be considered a resident of Arkansas for fee paying purposes unless one of the parents is a legal resident of the state or the student establishes domicile in Arkansas.

Exceptions are made only if the student can provide evidence that he or she is earning an income, is independent of their parents, and have established residency and good faith acts that demonstrate Arkansas residency. Proof of financial independence requires copies of the parent's federal tax return for the previous year. If a student is claimed as a dependent on the parent's federal tax return, he or she cannot be considered a financially independent adult for reclassification purposes.

The following must be established for eligibility for reclassification:

  1. Copy of marriage license if married.
  2. Has established in this state a home of permanent nature as manifested by good faith acts.
  3. Has physically resided in Arkansas for at least six consecutive months prior to the beginning of the term for which fees are to be paid.
Tuition and fee payments are due before the start of each semester. You are expected to pay your entire bill even if you expect a favorable decision about your status. If you receive a favorable decision after the tuition due date, the "out-of-state" fees you have paid will be refunded at that time.
No. There is no deferment of "out-of-state" tuition while awaiting a decision about your application for reclassification or any appeals resulting from an application unless the student accounts supervisor grants an explicit written exception. All fees are to be paid by the published deadlines.
You can download the application from this site or pick it up at the Registrar's offices, 146 Silas H. Hunt Hall (HUNT) or 141 Uptown East (UPTE). Our office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. You may call with questions or concerns at 479-575-5451 or email at registra@uark.edu.
Please allow one week for your application to be evaluated. The results will be emailed to your UARK email account notifying you of approval, denial or the need for additional information.