I have moved to Idaho from out-of-state and my parents are not residents of Idaho, how can I become a resident student for tuition/fee purposes?

You must demonstrate three things:

That during the 12 months immediately preceding the term for which you wish to obtain resident status, you have received less than 50% of your financial support from a parent, parents, or legal guardian who are not residents of Idaho for voting purposes.

That you have continuously resided in Idaho for the 12 months immediately preceding the term for which you wish to obtain resident status. Absence from Idaho for normal vacations, travel, work, military training or other similar circumstances totaling 30 days or less during this 12 month period is not disqualifying; and

That you have established Idaho as your bona fide domicile primarily for purposes other than educational. The law indicates this requirement is met by doing such things as registering your car in Idaho, obtaining an Idaho drivers license, registering to vote in Idaho, working full-time in Idaho, filing an Idaho state income tax return, owning real property in Idaho, establishing an account with an Idaho financial institution, and providing evidence that you have abandoned your previous domicile in another state. No one factor is decisive. The more of these things you do, the stronger your claim that you have established Idaho as your domicile. However, maintaining an out-of-state vehicle registration, drivers license or voter registration card will make it difficult for you to establish that Idaho is your domicile.

OK, thats the law, how does this work as a practical matter?

If you moved to Idaho from another state to attend UI beginning in August 2000 and were not initially classified as an Idaho resident, the earliest your residence classification can be changed is Fall Semester 2001. Within 15 days after the first day of Fall Semester 2001, you will have to file a notarized Residency Information Affidavit (Affidavit) with the Registrars Office. First, the Affidavit must state that you have continuously resided in Idaho for the past 12 consecutive months. If you leave Idaho for the entire summer, you will not meet this requirement. However, you may leave Idaho for up to a total of 30 days during the 12-month period. Leaving Idaho during holidays, such as Thanksgiving and Christmas, and for a week or two in the summer is acceptable, as long as the total number of days outside Idaho does not exceed 30.

Second, the Affidavit must demonstrate that you have established Idaho as your bona fide domicile primarily for purposes other than educational. This is established by doing the following things as soon as possible after you move to Idaho: (1) register your car in Idaho; (2) obtain an Idaho drivers license; (3) register to vote in Idaho; (4) establish an account with an Idaho financial institution; and (5) abandon your domicile in the state where you were formerly domiciled. Other factors indicating that you have established Idaho as your domicile include: (1) working full-time in Idaho; (2) filing an Idaho state income tax return; and (3) owning real property in Idaho. Doing these things will strengthen your case.

Third, the Affidavit must demonstrate that your parent(s) or guardian(s) are not residents of Idaho for voting purposes and that you have received less than 50% of your financial support from your parent(s) or guardian(s) during the 12 months you have resided in Idaho. One way of demonstrating that you meet the financial support requirement is to show that your parent(s) or guardian(s) did not claim you as a dependent on their most recent federal income tax return.

For additional information, please contact the Registrars Office (208-885-6731).

Click here to print out the Idaho Residency Information Affidavit form

Click here to view the Idaho Residency Law