State law requires that students meet Texas Residency Rules to be considered for state financial aid programs. Please note these rules are separate from U.S. citizenship or eligible non-citizen requirements for Federal Aid.
More information may be found at the and the regarding determination of resident status. However, the information below explains the general criteria for claiming and documenting Texas residency status.
Claiming Texas Residency
- The following persons shall be classified as Texas residents:
- A person who:
- Graduated from a public or accredited private high school in Texas or received the equivalent of a high school diploma in Texas, including the successful completion of a nontraditional secondary education (i.e., the GED), and
- Maintained a residence continuously in Texas for -
- The 36 months immediately preceding the date of graduation or receipt of the diploma equivalent, as applicable; and
- The 12 months preceding the census date of the academic semester in which the person enrolls in an institution.
- A person who:
- Established a home in Texas not less than 12 months before the census date of the academic semester in which the person enrolls in an institution; and
- Maintained the home continuously in Texas for the 12 months immediately preceding the census date of the academic semester in which the person enrolls in an institution.
- A dependent student whose parent:
- Established a home in Texas not less than 12 months before the census date of the academic semester in which the person enrolls in an institution; and
- Maintained the home continuously in Texas for the 12 months immediately preceding the census date of the academic semester in which the person enrolls in an institution.
- A person who:
Documenting Texas Residency
- The following is a list of documents that may provide support to a claim of physical residence in Texas:
- Utility bills for the 12 consecutive months preceding the census date;
- Cancelled checks that reflect a Texas residence for the 12 consecutive months preceding the census date;
- A current credit report that documents the length and place of residence of the person or the dependent's parent to be in Texas and the length of residence to be at least 12 consecutive months preceding the census date;
- Texas voter registration card that was issued at least 12 months prior to the census date;
- Lease or rental of residential real property in the name of the person or the dependent's parent for the 12 consecutive months immediately preceding the census date; and/or
- Texas high school transcript for full senior year immediately preceding the census date or a transcript from a Texas institution of higher education showing presence in the state for the 12 consecutive months preceding the census date.