Residency

  1. San Jacinto College
  2. Admissions & Aid
  3. Tuition
  4. Residency
 

Residency Status

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board sets the rules and regulations for residency status.

In-district Student:

  • Anyone who meets the state’s residency requirement, which is defined in Section 54.052 of the Education Code, and who physically resides in the geographic boundaries of the district at the time his or her registration is completed.
  • As authorized by Section 130.0032 of the Education Code, a person who resides outside the district and who owns property subject to ad valorem taxation by the district, or a dependent of the person who owns such property, may pay tuition at the rate applicable to a student who resides in the district.

Out-of-district Student:

  • A Texas resident who physically resides outside the geographic boundaries of the district at the time his or her registration is completed.

Out-of-state Student:

  • A person who is younger than 18 or a dependent, as defined in Section 54.052 (a) of the Education Code, and who is living away from his or her family and whose family resides in another state or whose family has not resided in Texas for the 12 months immediately before the date of registration.
  • A person who is 18 or older who resides out of state or who has not been a Texas resident for the 12 months immediately before the date of registration.

International (Out-of-country) Student:

  • Any alien who is not a permanent U.S. resident as defined in Immigration and Naturalization Service regulations or who has not been permitted by Congress to adopt the U.S. as his or her domicile while he or she is in this country.

 

Residency Determines Your Tuition

The law classifies you either as a Texas resident, a non-Texas resident, or an international student. To qualify as a Texas resident, we need proof you've lived here at least a year before your date of registration.

Are you...

Not a U.S. citizen? We need this documentation:

  • If you are a permanent U.S. resident, you must furnish your permanent resident (green) card or I-551 passport approval stamp.
  • If you've applied for residency, you must provide the receipt for your application or petition, Form I-130, I-140, or I-485.

Eligible to establish domicile in the U.S.? You may be eligible for classification as a Texas resident. Here are the categories set by the Immigration and Naturalization Service:

  • Holders of unexpired visas with A-1, A-2, A-3, E-1, E-2, G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4, G-5, H-1B, H-4 (dependent of H-1B only), I, K-1, K-2, L-1a, L-1b, L-2, O-1, O-3 (dependent of O-1 only), R-1, R-2, V and NATO 6, 7 classifications
  • Those classified by the INS as an asylee, parolee, refugee, permanent resident, conditional permanent resident, or a temporary resident holding a I-688, I-688A, or I-688B Temporary Resident card that has not expired

An undocumented immigrant? If you meet our admission requirements, you may enroll, but you will normally be subject to the non-Texas resident tuition rate. You may qualify for the Texas resident rate if you meet all four qualifications:

  1. You graduated from high school or got your GED in Texas.
  2. You've resided in Texas with a parent or court-appointed guardian for at least three years before the date you graduated high school or received your GED.
  3. You registered as an entering student no earlier than the fall 2001 term.
  4. You provide an affidavit stating that you will file an application to become a permanent resident as soon as you're eligible.