The University of Oklahoma is a state-supported institution of higher education supported by legislative funds derived from State of Oklahoma tax revenue. As a state, tax-supported institution, the University gives preference in tuition pricing to residents of the State of Oklahoma.
The University's definition of the term "resident" may be different from the definitions developed by other, non-university agencies. The University does not recognize declarations of resident status made by other agencies. Thus a person who is an Oklahoma resident for tax or voting purposes is not necessarily a resident for University of Oklahoma tuition purposes.
Resident status is granted to financially independent adults who are permanently residing in Oklahoma and who have been physically and continuously present in the State of Oklahoma for at least one calendar year prior to the first day of class attendance at any Oklahoma institution of higher education; and who, during this one-year period, resided in Oklahoma for some reason other than primarily to attend classes at a post-secondary educational institution.
Resident status for tuition purposes is based on the location of your permanent domicile. Domicile has two components, residence and intent to remain indefinitely. A person can have more than one residence, but only one domicile.
Attendance at an educational institution, albeit a continuous and long-term experience, is interpreted as temporary residence. Therefore, a student neither gains nor loses resident status solely by such attendance.
The University has been authorized to make determinations for in-state/out-of-state classifications for its individual students, either at the time of initial enrollment, or as the result of a petition for reclassification. The Office of Admissions and Recruitment is designated to make these determinations for the University. If you have questions concerning resident classification You may contact the Office of Admissions & Recruitment, 1000 Asp Avenue, Norman, OK 73019-4076 or (405) 325-2151 with questions concerning resident classification.
Students are encouraged to submit their petitions at least four weeks in advance of the effective term to allow time for processing.
Each residency petition is judged on its own merit using the guidelines and regulations established by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education (OSRHE) (3.18 In-state/out-of-state Status of Enrolled Students). It is the student's responsibility to provide documentation to support a petition for in-state tuition classification. Petitions that are not supported by sufficient documentation will be denied.
Actions such as the following may help to support an application for resident tuition status insofar as they apply to the Basic Definition of Resident Status: maintaining a permanent home/domicile in Oklahoma for at least 12 months prior to the first day of class attendance at any Oklahoma institution of higher education; Oklahoma automobile registration and driver's license; evidencing in some convincing way intent to remain in Oklahoma indefinitely after graduation (in other than a graduate student capacity); owning property and paying state property taxes, voter registration. All of these things will be taken into consideration as part of a petition for in-state tuition classification, but are not, in and of themselves, sufficient to establish residency.
The issue of intent to remain in Oklahoma after completing one's education is important in reclassifying financially independent adult students. Each individual must present his or her own special set of circumstances, along with documentation, to support the contention that he or she intends to remain in Oklahoma after graduation or ceasing to enroll as a student. Verification of full-time employment after graduation is an example of documentable intent to remain; however, verification of future employment should be no more than one calendar year prior to the expected graduation date. This is not the only means to establish this intent. All materials and circumstances presented by the student will be considered, but the evidence must clearly and convincingly show a student's intent to stay in Oklahoma.
Active Uniformed Service/Discharged or Released from Active Uniformed Service for whom Oklahoma is the Home of Record
The following shall be eligible for in-state status:
Active Uniformed Service/Discharged or Released from Active Uniformed Service (Regardless of the Home of Record)
A student who files with the University of Oklahoma a letter of intent (PDF) to establish residence in the state and who resides in the state while enrolled at OU shall be eligible for in-state status if the student:
A student who files with the University of Oklahoma a letter of intent (PDF) to establish residence in the state and who resides in Oklahoma while enrolled at OU shall be eligible for in-state status if the student is a recipient of Chapter 31, Vocational Rehabilitation.
Please contact OU Veteran Student Services for more information.
You may obtain a copy of your DD214 through eBenefits.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at GI Bill | Veterans Affairs (va.gov).
Military Reserve Member on Full-Time Active Duty
Regardless of the residency of the student, dependent children or a spouse of a person who is currently serving as a member of the military reserve on full-time active duty of more than thirty (30) days and for whom Oklahoma is the home of record shall be eligible for in-state status.
Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC)
A student shall be eligible for in-state status regardless of the residency of the student, if the student is a person who is participating in or has received a partial or full scholarship from the Air Force Reserve Officers' Training Corps, Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps or the Navy/Marines Reserve Officers' Training Corps. “Participating” is defined as any student who is fully and actively participating in all aspects of the ROTC program (class, physical fitness training, leadership training (lab).
Oklahoma National Guard
A person who is a current member of the Oklahoma National Guard shall be eligible for in-state status.
Waiver of Tuition for Prisoners of War, Persons Missing in Action, and Their Dependents
Title 70 O. S. § 2281 (2001)
A “prisoner of war” or a “person missing in action” means any person who was a resident of the state of Oklahoma at the time he or she entered service of the United States Armed Forces or whose official residence is within the state of Oklahoma and who, while in the United States Armed Forces, has been declared to be a prisoner of war or a person missing in action as established by the Secretary of Defense. A “dependent” means any child whose parent served as a prisoner of war or was declared by the United States Armed Forces to be a person missing in action. A dependent child ceases to be eligible for benefits when he/she turns twenty-four (24) years old.
Waiver for Dependents of Oklahoma Peace Officers, Fire Fighters and Emergency Medical Technicians
Title 70, O. S. 2005 Supp., § 3218.7, Title 63, O.S. 2005 Supp., § 1-2505
A “dependent” means any child of an Oklahoma Peace Officer, Fire Fighter or Emergency Medical Technician who has given their life in the line of duty. A dependent ceases to be eligible for benefits when he/she turns twenty-four (24) years old.
For information about these waivers please contact Bill Winslow at (405) 325-2151 or wpwinslow@ou.edu.
Petition for In-State Tuition Classification
Deadlines for submitting the petition and documents are as follows:
Fall – October 31
Spring – March 31
Summer – June 30
In-state reclassification is not granted on a retroactive basis. If you are receiving scholarships, loans, grants or other financial aid, please contact the Student Financial Center for information concerning how reclassification to in-state status may affect your financial aid or scholarships.
Petitions submitted without sufficient documentation will be denied.
To help avoid confusion, you cannot be made a resident for the purposes of paying in-state tuition on the following basis alone:
