Individuals interested in establishing themselves as Residents for tuition and fee purposes are strongly encouraged to discuss their plans with staff in the Office of the Registrar.  You should review the process, fully understand the requirements and have your questions answered. 

You are also advised to continue (or begin) the habit of maintaining good personal financial records.  In response to your submitted Application for Resident Classification, you may be asked to submit documentation, including (but not limited to) copies of employment pay stubs showing state taxes withheld, a copy of your lease, copies of previously-submitted income tax forms, drivers license, notarized affidavits, etc.

If you move, current students should change their address using their MyUNIverse account.  Others are strongly encouraged to keep the University apprised of any change in their residence, too. 

You should remember that it is possible to qualify as a resident of Iowa for such purposes as voting or holding an Iowa driver's license and still not meet the requirements as established by the Board of Regents to be classified as a resident for tuition and fee purposes.

Also, the burden of establishing that you are in the state for a reason other than education is upon you, the student. 

By adjusting your enrollment, your eligibility for the various financial aid programs could change.  Prior to reducing your enrollment, you should discuss your plans with a counselor in the Office of Student Financial Aid so that you fully understand the financial implications.  You should also investigate the potential impact on any scholarships you are receiving.  The Office of Financial Aid can be contacted by calling 319-273-2700 or email fin-aid@uni.edu.

It is possible that you would no longer be eligible for the health insurance that currently covers you.  If you plan to live in UNI Housing (residence halls), you should be certain your intended future enrollment plans will qualify you to live there.  Your parents will need to thoroughly investigate the implications of no longer claiming you as a dependent on their state income tax returns.  This list is not definitive.  You are responsible for determining whether pursuing resident classification is in your best interest. 

If you want to establish residency for tuition and fee purposes, you would have to live in Iowa for 12 consecutive months.  During those 12 months, you could be registered no more than half-time at any institution in the state.  For an undergraduate student, this would be no more than six semester hours during the Fall semester, six semester hours during the Spring semester, and no more than four semester hours total during the Summer sessions.  For a graduate student, this means enrollment not exceeding 5-5-4 semester hours.  This enrollment maximum is cumulative enrollment in Iowa.  It includes your UNI courses, Guided Independent Study courses, community college courses, classes at all public and private Iowa colleges, etc.

In addition, you could not be claimed as a dependent on income tax returns in another state.  When you are living and working in Iowa to support yourself, you need to file Iowa resident income tax returns.

We also expect to see that shortly after your arrival, you did things to establish an Iowa domicile.  Usually this means obtaining an Iowa drivers license, registering any vehicles you own in Iowa, and registering to vote in Iowa. 

No, but here is what you need to know.  A financially-dependent student whose parents move out of Iowa after the student begins attending UNI classes remains a Resident provided the student maintains continuous Fall/Spring enrollment.  If your enrollment develops a gap, your resident classification will necessarily be re-evaluated as you prepare to re-enroll through the Office of the Registrar. 

No.  There is not a provision making residents of other states residents for tuition purposes at Iowa based on the student being a "legacy," a descendant or relative of a previous UNI graduate.

A Non-resident decision made by staff in the Office of the Registrar after review of your signed application for Resident Classification for Tuition and Fee Purposes may be appealed to the Non-resident Review Committee.

You must write a letter stating that you are appealing the Non-resident decision, explaining your situation and providing any additional information you feel may help the Committee when it reviews your case.  this letter must be submitted to the:

Office of the Registrar

115 Gilchrist Hall

Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0006

After your letter of appeal is received, you will receive a letter informing you of the next committee meeting-where and when it will be held-and asking you to respond in advance whether or not you plan to attend.  Some students choose to attend the meeting at which their appeal is considered.  Others do not. 

Your application, related materials and letter of appeal will be distributed to the Committee members for their review prior to the scheduled meeting.

If you choose to attend:  at the meeting, the members of the Committee (faculty and University administrators) will introduce themselves to you.  You'll have time to tell them about yourself and why you think you should receive Resident status for tuition purposes.  They may ask you questions or to expand on things you wrote on your initial application or supplemental materials.  You will be dismissed from the meeting. 

If you choose not to attend, the Committee will review your materials in your absence.

The Committee will then decide how to proceed- up hold the previous (Non-resident) decision, overturn that decision based on outstanding circumstances, or ask you for further documentation, proof, etc. before any action is taken. 

Usually, you will receive a letter signed by the Committee chair within about 3-5 days.

Consideration of applications can take around a month, sometimes less.  During our busiest time (Summer), applications may take a bit longer.  You may hear from us via phone, mail or email sooner.  We may ask you for further information or copies of relevant documents.  Whatever the outcome, a decision letter will be sent to your residing address. 

No, applications cannot be submitted for previous semesters.  The guidelines specifically state that change of classification from Non-resident to Resident will not be made retroactively beyond the term in which application for resident classification is made.  Remember, applications are due no later than the 15th class day of a semester or session.

The deadline for applications is the 15th class day of the semester or session for which you are applying. However, at that point, you will have been responsible for payment of your full University bill.  Applications received later will be considered for the next semester or session.

If you apply after your initial University bill has been issued and you are later determined to be a Resident for tuition and fee purposes for that semester, your University bill would be adjusted. 

No, it is not something (such as a major area of study) that you declare.  The University does not track who is taking the steps to become a Resident. 

No, Iowa does not have general tuition reciprocity agreements with any state.  This includes (but not limited to):  Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wisconsin. 

Yes, but here is what you need to know.  A financially dependent student whose parents move out of Iowa during the student's senior year of high school will be considered a Resident provided the student has not established domicile in another state and enrolls in the Fall semester immediately following his or her May/June Iowa high school graduation.  Since the Office of Admissions will probably initially classify you as a Non-resident, you should be prepared to submit your own Application for Resident Classification.  It is important that you then maintain continuous Fall/Spring enrollment. 

A financial dependent student whose parents move from Iowa after the student is enrolled remains a resident provided that student maintains continuous enrollment. A financially dependent student whose parents move from Iowa during the senior year of high school will be considered a resident provided the student has not established domicile in another state.  If you have any questions please contact Mary Baumann.  Mary can be contacted at 319-273-2112 or by email Mary.Baumann@uni.edu.