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Residency

Definition of a Legal Resident

The definition of resident students for the purpose of attending institutions of higher learning in Georgia are established by the Policies of the Board of Regents of the University System and do not necessarily parallel other definitions of residency. A listing of these definitions follow:

1. (a) If a person is 18 years of age or older, he or she may register as a resident student only upon showing that he or she has been a legal resident of Georgia for a period of at least twelve months immediately preceding the date of registration.
   (b) No emancipated minor or person 18 years of age or older shall be deemed to have gained or acquired in-state residence status for fee purposes while attending any educational institution in this State, in the absence of a clear demonstration that he or she has in fact established legal residence in this State.
2. A non-resident student who is financially dependent upon a parent, parents or spouse who has been a legal resident of Georgia for at least twelve consecutive months immediately preceding the date of registration shall pay the same fees assessed residents of Georgia provided that such financial dependence shall have existed for at least twelve consecutive months immediately preceding the date of registration. The student shall be required to furnish both federal and state income tax returns as information to his or her dependency.
3. A full-time employee of the University System and his or her spouse and dependent children may register on the payment of resident fees.
4. Non-resident graduate students who hold teaching or research assistantships requiring at least one-third time service may register as students in the institution in which they are employed on payment of resident fees.
5. Full-time teachers in the public schools of Georgia and their dependent children may enroll as students in the University System institutions on the payment of resident fees.
6. Military personnel and their dependents stationed in Georgia and on active duty, except military personnel assigned to System institutions for educational purposes, shall pay the same fees assessed residents of Georgia.
7. All aliens shall be classified as non-resident students; provided, however, than an alien who is living in this country under a visa permitting permanent residence shall have the same privilege of qualifying for resident status for fee purposes as a citizen of the United States.
8. International students, selected by the institutional president or his authorized representative, provided, however, that the number of such waivers in effect at any time does not exceed one percent of the equivalent full-time students enrolled at the institution in the fall semester immediately preceding the semester for which the out-of-state tuition is to be waived.
9. If the parents or legal guardian of a minor change his or her legal residence to another state following a period of legal residence in Georgia, the minor may continue to take courses for a period of twelve consecutive months on the payment of resident fees. After the expiration of the twelve month period, the student may continue his or her registration only upon the payment of fees at the non-resident rate.
10. In the event that a legal resident of Georgia is appointed a guardian of a non-resident minor, such minor will not be permitted to register as a resident student until the expiration of one year from the date of court appointment, and then only upon proper showing that such appointment was not made to avoid payment of the non-resident fees.
11. Career Consular Officers and their dependents who are citizens of the foreign nation which their Consular Office represents, and who are stationed and living in Georgia under orders of their respective government, shall be entitled to enroll in University System institutions on payment of resident fees. This arrangement shall apply to those Consular officers whose nations operate on the principle of educational reciprocity with the United States.

Residents of Bordering Counties Outside Georgia

Residents of Cherokee County, Alabama, which borders Floyd County, shall pay the same fees as residents of Georgia. Applicants should complete the application for Certification of Cherokee Alabama Residency, which must be notarized by the Clerk of Court of Cherokee County, Alabama and submitted to the Registrar's Office. To avoid delay and inconvenience at registration, the petition must be filed no later than 10 working days prior to the semester of registration for which the student is petitioning in-state residence.

Non-Resident Fees

Non-resident students will be charged an additional tuition fee each semester.

Change of Residency Status

Students who enter Georgia Highlands College as non-resident students but who wish later to qualify as legal residents must fill out a Request for Residency Classification Form available in the Registrar's Office or at any satellite campus.  A student's residence status is not changed automatically, and the burden of proof that the student qualifies as a legal resident under the regulations of the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia rests with the student.

Students are responsible for registering under the proper residence classification. A student classified as non-resident, who believes that he/she is entitled to be re-classified as resident status, may petition the Registrar for a change in status.