Establishing Residency

Please Read the Instructions Carefully

Because tuition is considerably less expensive for Washington residents than out-of-state students, you should establish residency right away after you arrive in Washington State. For questions or assistance, contact Jenny Saligumba-Graham, saligum@wsu.edu.

Deadline

The Questionnaire and supporting documentation must be received by the Graduate School by the 30th day of classes of the term for which you are seeking residency. If you are seeking residency for the fall term, for example, your deadline would be the 30th calendar day of classes for the fall semester. You can find the deadline on the WSU Academic Calendar.  Ensure you are viewing the calendar for the correct term. For summer, the deadline is the Monday following the 5th day of classes.

**Although the deadline is the 30th day of classes, it is recommended that you submit the questionnaire at least 2 weeks prior to the start of classes of the semester you are requesting resident status.

You will need to submit the Residency Questionnaire and supporting documentation (see below) to the Graduate School. Documentation may be mailed or submitted in person. You may also email the documents directly to Jenny in PDF format (saligum@wsu.edu). Please find your status below and read the instructions thoroughly.

Keep in Mind

  • You will need to enter your information onto the form and print, sign, and submit the form to the appropriate office along with your supporting documentation. To speed your request, make sure the information is complete and correct.
  • Documentation may be mailed or submitted in person. You may email the documents directly to Jenny in PDF format (saligum@wsu.edu).  Your questionnaire will not be processed until all supporting documentation is received.
  • Depending on the time of year, it may take up to two weeks to process your questionnaire and supporting documentation. Please plan accordingly. It is recommended that you submit your questionnaire at least two weeks prior to the start of classes.
  • If the document is listed as required, you must submit it.
  • Decisions on resident status are based on documentary evidence submitted, which become a part of your file and are not returned. 
  • Students are responsible for paying the resident portion of their fees while awaiting a determination of their residency status.  You may find the cost of attendance and tuition rates here.
  • Residency policies are set by the State of Washington (RCW 28B.15) and applied uniformly throughout Washington’s public colleges and universities.

Requirements

You are financially independent if you are not claimed as a dependent by either parent on income tax returns and you pay at least 51% of the cost of attendance, which includes tuition, fees, room, board, books, supplies and transportation as published by the WSU Office of Financial Aid.

1. Fill out both sides of the Questionnaire completely
2. Provide the following required items:

  • Copies of lease(s), rental agreement, letter from landlord, rent receipts, canceled rent checks or home purchase agreement verifying domicile in Washington for the 12 months prior to beginning of semester. You must account for the entire 12 month period.
  • Copy of State of Washington voter’s registration card or statement from county auditor with date registered, if you are registered to vote. (Must have obtained 12 months prior to beginning of semester)
  • Copy of State of Washington vehicle registration, if you own or use a vehicle in the state of Washington. If you use (but do not own) a vehicle, it must be registered in the state of Washington. (Must have registered vehicle 12 months prior to beginning of semester)
  • Copy of State of Washington driver’s license or State of Washington identification card (if you do not drive or do not have a previous driver’s license from another state).  Residents of the State of Washington are required to surrender their previous state’s driver’s license and obtain a State of Washington driver’s license or state identification card within 30 days of moving to and establishing a domicile in the state.  More information on obtaining a State of Washington driver’s license or identification card can be found here.
  • Any other documents you may have with dates showing that you have established a “home” in Washington, such as bank account statements.
  • Copy of your federal tax return and W-2 forms for the most recent tax year. If you have not filed a tax return, please provide copies of W-2 forms, if any.
  • If you are 24 or younger, you must also provide a copy of your parents’ return(s) (first page listing dependents and the signature block are required).
  • If 24 or younger, submit documents verifying your financially independent status for the current calendar year and the prior calendar year. To be considered financially independent, a student must demonstrate by evidence satisfactory to the institution that he or she has met, through his or her income, the expenses associated with college tuition and living for the current calendar year and the calendar year immediately prior to the year in which application is made, such as:

Financial aid grants, scholarships and loans authorized by the Financial Aid Office in the student’s name may be considered as personal income.

A trust or other account available to the student may be considered evidence of financial independence if the account was created before the student entered high school. You must submit documentation of the date account was established and proof the account was used to pay for expenses associated with college tuition and living for the current calendar year and the calendar year immediately prior to the year in which application is made.

Personal loans, PLUS loans, checking & savings accounts, gifts, and cash earnings SHALL NOT be counted as income in this calculation. Receipt of the Federal Parent PLUS loan will contradict financial independent status.

3. Sign Section 2 and the back of the Questionnaire form.

1. Fill out Section 1 and Section 2 of the questionnaire. If you are not a U. S. citizen, but hold permanent resident immigration status, temporary resident status, “Refugee-Parolee,” “Conditional Entrant” status, or are permanently residing in the United States under color of law, attach a copy of both sides of your Resident Alien Card

2. Your parent or court-appointed guardian completes Section 3 and provides documents verifying his/her status as a Washington State resident as stated below:

  • Copies of lease, rental agreement, letter from landlord, rent receipts, canceled checks or home purchase agreement verifying domicile in Washington for the 12 months prior to beginning of semester. You must account for the entire 12 month period.
  • Copy of State of Washington voter’s registration card or statement from county auditor with date registered, if you are registered to vote. (Must have obtained 12 months prior to beginning of semester)
  • Copy of State of Washington vehicle registration, if you own or use a vehicle in the state of Washington. If you use (but do not own) a vehicle, it must be registered in the state of Washington. (Must have registered vehicle 12 months prior to beginning of semester
  • Copy of State of Washington driver’s license or State of Washington identification card if you do not drive. (Must have obtained 12 months prior to beginning of semester)
  • Any other documents you may have with dates showing that you have established a “home” in Washington (bank accounts).

3. Provide a copy of your parent(s) federal income tax return for the most current year verifying your dependent status (only the listing of dependents and signature block are required) . If your parent or court-appointed guardian is not a U.S. citizen, but she/he holds permanent or temporary resident status, or “Refugee-Parolee,” “Conditional Entrant” status, or is permanently residing in the United States under color of law, attach a copy of both sides of his/her Resident Alien Card, Temporary Resident Card or other verification of his/her status with USCIS.

4. You and your parent must sign the back of the Residency Questionnaire form.

1. If you are active-duty military or the dependent of an active military member stationed in the state of Washington, provide a copy of your military ID and your orders to:

Veterans Affairs Office
French Administration Bldg Room 346
PO Box 641035
Pullman, WA 99164-1035

2. If you are a dependent of an active-duty military, or civil servant, who claims Washington as your residence, but who is stationed outside of the State of Washington, your parent or guardian must complete Section 3 of the questionnaire and also provide:

  • Evidence he/she is a member of the military
  • Evidence of his/her Home of Record
  • Evidence of ties maintained to the State of Washington (voter registration, driver’s license, vehicle registration) REQUIRED
  • Copy of his/her federal tax return for the most recent tax year (first page listing dependents and the signature block are required).