Residency Status

Galveston College is required by state law to determine the residency status of all students for tuition purposes. All new students must complete the Residency Questionnaire upon application to the college. Students returning after more than one year will be required to affirm that they have not changed their residence status since their enrollment. Additional documentation may be requested at any time following registration.  

The legal residence of each applicant for admission and registration at Galveston College will be determined by the Admissions Office. For purposes of tuition, students will be classified as Texas Resident – In-District, Texas Resident – Out-of District, or Out-of-State/Non-Resident.

General guidelines for residency are listed below.  Note - these guidelines are not exhaustive and additional guidelines may apply, in accordance with state statute.

A student is considered a Texas Resident – In-District resident if he/she has resided in the College taxing district for other than educational purposes for at least 12 months prior to the student’s first registration at Galveston College. Galveston College taxing district includes all of Galveston Island (including Jamaica Beach) as well as Crystal Beach and Port Bolivar on the Bolivar Peninsula.

A student is considered a Texas Resident – Out-Of-District resident if he/she is not a resident of the College’s taxing district and has resided in the State of Texas for other than educational purposes for at least 12 months prior to the student’s first registration at Galveston College.

A student is considered an Out-Of-State / Non-Resident student if he/she has NOT resided in the State of Texas for other than educational purposes for at least 12 months prior to the student’s first registration at Galveston College. If a student is a U.S. Citizen or holds permanent residency status and lived in a different state 12 months prior to the student’s first registration at Galveston College they will be considered an Out of State student. If a student is not a U.S. Citizen or does not have permanent residency status they will be considered Non-Resident.

Students can request a residency reclassification by completing Residency Reclassification Request Form

 

Residency is determined at the time the Admissions Application is processed, either by a student’s current address or by the address of a parent or legal guardian, if the student is being claimed as a dependent for federal income tax purposes.  A post office box cannot be used to establish residency.  It is the responsibility of the student to register under the correct residency classification.

Texas Administrative Code, Title 19, Part 1, Chapter 21, Subchapter B, contains rules and regulations regarding determination of student residency.  Additionally, students may visit www.collegeforalltexans.com to view residency information, including tuition exemptions and waivers.