Students are responsible for registering under the correct residence classification,
for notifying promptly the residence auditor of incorrect residence classifications or
changes of residence status, and will be liable for additional fees. For example,
residence status may change for students if their parents’ states of legal residence
change or if their visas change. Individuals who are classified by Augusta State
University as Out-of-State but who later claim to qualify as legal residents must fi le
a “Petition for Georgia Residence Classification” form with the residence auditor in
the Office of the Registrar. Residence status is not changed automatically, and the
burden of proof rests with the student to demonstrate that he or she qualifies as a
legal resident under the regulations of the Board of Regents of the University System
of Georgia. To insure timely completion of required processing, a student/applicant
requesting a change of residence classification for a specific semester should fi le
the “Petition for Georgia Residence Classification” and all supporting documentation
not later than three weeks (15 working days) prior to registration. Decisions prior to
registration cannot be guaranteed when petitions and all supporting documentation
are received after the specified deadline.

Petitions for Georgia Residence Classification and all supporting documentation
must be filed with the residence auditor no later than 60 days after the beginning
of a specific academic semester for which classification as a legal resident for
fee payment purposes is requested. Petitions received after that time will not be
considered for that semester. If the petition is approved, classification as a legal
resident for fee payment purposes will not be retroactive to prior semesters.

A student/applicant wishing to appeal a denial decision resulting from his or Petition
for Georgia Residence Classification may request a review of that decision before
the Vice President for Student Services, submitting such request in writing within
20 days of the decision. If the petition is denied and the student/applicant wishes
to petition for a later semester, a new Petition for Georgia Residence Classifi cation
must be submitted for that semester.

OBJECTIVE STANDARDS FOR ACQUIRING IN-STATE STATUS

For purposes of these regulations, a resident student is defi ned as a student
domiciled in the state of Georgia. A non-resident is defi ned as one whose domicile is
elsewhere. A student shall not be considered domiciled in Georgia unless he or she
is in continuous physical residence in this state and intends to make Georgia his or
her permanent home, not only while in attendance at an institution of the University
System of Georgia, but indefi nitely thereafter as well, and has no domicile or intent
to be domiciled elsewhere.

Normally a person from another state who comes to an institution of the University
System of Georgia does so for the primary or sole purpose of attending the
institution rather than to establish a domicile (residency) in Georgia. Thus, one
who enrolls in a system institution as a non-resident is presumed to remain a nonresident
throughout his or her attendance at the institution unless and until he or she
demonstrates by clear and convincing evidence that his or her previous domicile
has been abandoned and that Georgia domicile has been established.

No person shall be eligible for classifi cation as an in-state student unless he or
she has been domiciled in Georgia and has resided in Georgia continuously for
not less than 12 months immediately preceding the date of registration. However,
there is a strong presumption that such person shall continue to be classifi ed as a
non-resident throughout the entire period of his or her enrollment. Ordinarily, such
periods (while enrolled in school) will not count as periods of domicile to meet the
twelve-month durational residency requirement.

The following facts and circumstances, although not necessarily conclusive, have
probative value to support a claim for in-state status after twelve months continuous
domicile in Georgia (durational residency requirement):

• Continuous presence in Georgia during periods when not enrolled as a student.
• Payment of ad valorem (property) taxes.
• Payment of Georgia income taxes.
• Reliance upon Georgia sources for fi nancial support.
• Domicile in Georgia of family, or other relatives, or persons legally responsible for the student.
• Former domicile in the state and maintenance of signifi cant connections therein while absent.
• Ownership of a home or real property.
• Admission to a licensed practicing profession in Georgia .
• Long term military commitments in Georgia .
• Commitments to further education in Georgia indicating an intent to stay here permanently.
• Acceptance of an offer of permanent employment in Georgia .
• Location of spouse's employment, if any.
• Address of student listed on selective service (draft or reserves) registration

Other factors indicating intent to make Georgia the student's domicile may be considered by the system institution in classifying a student. Normally, the following circumstances do not constitute evidence of domicile sufficient to effect classification as an in-state student under Regents' policies:

• Voting or registration for voting.
• Employment in any position normally filled by a student.
• The lease of living quarters.
• A statement of intention to acquire a domicile in Georgia .
• Automobile registration, address on driver's license, payment of automobile taxes.
• Location of bank or saving accounts.

Waivers

Contiguous Counties: The border tuition policy set forth by the Board of Regents states that students from counties bordering on a county in which a University System of Georgia institution is located shall pay resident tuition fees. This policy includes students from Aiken and Edgefield Counties , South Carolina , who wish to attend Augusta State University . Students must fill out a waiver form and have it signed by a magistrate .

Military Personnel: Active duty military personnel and their spouses and legal dependents stationed in Georgia may qualify for waiver of non-resident tuition. Military personnel should contact the Education Center at their installation for information about current financial and other assistance available to them as members of the armed forces. All military personnel planning to use military tuition assistance programs to defray expenses associated with matriculation at Augusta State University should be sure to coordinate with the Director of Admissions for guidance as to procedures.

International and Superior Out-of-State Students: These students may be selected by the institutional president or his authorized representative for a waiver, provided, however, that the number of such waivers in effect at any time does not exceed two percent of the equivalent full-time students enrolled at the institution in the fall semester immediately preceding the semester for which the out-of-state tuition is to be waived.

Aliens shall be classified as non-resident students provided, however, that an alien who is living in this country under an immigration document permitting indefinite or permanent residence shall have the same privilege of qualifying for in-state tuition as a citizen of the United States . (Also see

International Students: Special Requirements see International Student pages.)

Teachers: Full-time teachers in the public schools of Georgia and their spouses and de pendent children may enroll as students in University System institutions on the payment of resident fees.

Employees: All full-time employees in an institution of the University System, their spouses, and dependent children may register for courses on the payment of resident fees, even though the employee has not been in residence in Georgia for a period of twelve months.

Families Moving to Georgia: A dependent student who, as of the first day of term of enrollment, can provide documentation supporting that his or her supporting parent or court-appointed guardian has accepted full-time, self-sustaining employment and established domicile in the State of Georgia for reasons other than gaining the benefit of favorable tuition rates, may qualify immediately for an out of state tuition differential waiver which will expire 12 months from the date the waiver is granted. At that time, an affected student must petition for residency status according to established procedures.