A non-resident is a citizen, national naturalized citizen or permanent resident of the U.S. or an alien who has been permitted by Congress to adopt the U.S. as his or her domicile while in this country and who has not met the State’s requirement for establishing residency for tuition purposes. While these state requirements for establishing residency are complex and should be referred to in each particular circumstance, they generally require a minimum of 12 months residence in Texas prior to enrollment.

A foreign student is an alien who is not a permanent resident of the U.S. or has not been permitted by Congress to adopt the U.S. as his or her domicile. An individual classified as a foreign student may qualify, under certain exemptions specified in rules set forth by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, for resident tuition rates and other charges while continuing to be classified as a nonresident or a foreign student. Information on residency, reclassification, tuition exceptions and waivers is available at the Office of Admissions & Records and/or the Financial Aid Office.