Regarding University of Cincinnati and Ohio Residency Regulations

Ohio Residency For-Tuition-Purposes Eligibility Criteria

Applying for Ohio Residency For-Tuition-Purposes

Residency Classificiation and Fee Assessment

Residency Classification Application Forms 

Important Facts About Ohio Residency for Tuition Purposes

Frequently Asked Questions about Ohio Residency for Tuition Purposes

I.    Regarding University of Cincinnati and Ohio Residency Regulations

In its assessment of a student's eligibility for classification as an Ohio resident for tuition purposes, University of Cincinnati is obliged to apply the residency eligibility criteria established by Ohio Revised Code 3333.31 and Ohio Administrative Code 3333-1-10.  These criteria are compiled in the section below.

University of Cincinnati is not empowered to alter or waive these state regulations, and must enforce their provisions for all students under all personal and/or financial circumstances. 

Students strongly are advised to fully apprise themselves of the criteria established by Ohio Revised Code and Ohio Administrative Code prior to seeking classification as an Ohio Resident for-tuition-purposes.

II.     Ohio Residency For-Tuition-Purposes Eligibility Criteria

The following persons shall be classified as residents of Ohio for fee assessment purposes:

A dependent student, at least one of whose parents or legal guardians has been a resident of the State of Ohio for all other legal purposes for twelve (12) consecutive months or more immediately preceding the enrollment of such student in an institution of higher education.

A person who has been a resident of Ohio for the purpose of this rule for at least twelve (12) consecutive months immediately preceding his or her enrollment in an institution of higher education and who is not receiving, and has not directly or indirectly received in the preceding twelve (12) consecutive months, financial support from persons or entities who are not residents of Ohio for all other legal purposes.

A person who is living in Ohio and is gainfully employed in Ohio on a full-time or part-time and self-sustaining basis and who is pursuing a part-time program of instruction at an institution of higher education.

Note: this is referred to as "Conditional Residency."  To apply for reclassification to Ohio resident for-tuition-purposes under this provision, complete and submit the "Conditional Residency Application."

A person on active duty status in the United States military service who is stationed and resides in Ohio, and his or her dependents.

A person who enters and currently remains upon active duty status in the United States military service while a resident of Ohio for all other legal purposes, and his or her dependents, as long as Ohio remains the state of such person's domicile. (Domicile for military personnel is the place a military person declares to be his or her home for voting and taxation purposes.)

A dependent student of a parent, or the spouse of a person who, as of the first day of classes, has accepted full-time, self-sustaining employment and has established domicile in Ohio for reasons other than gaining the benefit of favorable tuition rate.  Documentation will be required.

Note: this is referred to as "Immediate Residency."  To apply for reclassification to Ohio resident for-tuition-purposes under this provision, complete and submit the "Immediate Residency Application."

In considering residency, removal of the student or the student's parents or legal guardians from Ohio shall not, during a period of twelve (12) months following such removal, constitute relinquishment of Ohio residency status otherwise established under items 1.a or 1.b of these regulations.

A dependent student classified as a resident of Ohio for these purposes, and who is enrolled in an institution of higher education when his or her parents or legal guardian remove their residency from the State of Ohio, shall continue to be considered a resident of Ohio for fee assessment purposes during continuous full-time enrollment and until his or her completion of any one academic degree program.

A person who is transferred by his or her employer beyond the territorial limits of the fifty states of the United States and the District of Columbia while a resident of Ohio for all other legal purposes, and his or her dependents, shall be considered a resident of Ohio for these purposes as long as Ohio remains the state of such person's domicile, and as long as such person has fulfilled his or her tax liability to the State of Ohio for at least the tax year preceding enrollment.

A person who has been employed as a migrant worker in the State of Ohio and his or her dependents, shall be considered a resident for these purposes, provided such person has worked in Ohio for at least four months during each of the three years preceding the proposed enrollment.

Evidentiary determinations under this rule shall be made by the institution which may require, among other things, the submission of documentation regarding the sources of a student's actual financial support. Additional criteria which may be considered in determining residency may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Criteria evidencing Ohio residency:

• If a person is subject to tax liability under Section 5747.02 of the Ohio Revised Code;

• If a person qualifies to vote in Ohio;

• If a person has an Ohio driver's license and/or car registration.

Criteria evidencing lack of Ohio residency:

• If a person is a resident of, or intends to be resident of, another state or nation for the purpose of tax liability, voting, receipt of welfare benefits, or student loan benefits (i.e., if the student qualified for that loan program by being a resident of the state or nation); and

• If a person is a resident of, or intends to be a resident of, another state or nation for any purposes other than tax liability, voting or receipt of welfare benefits (see above paragraph).

A student once classified as a nonresident, upon the completion of twelve (12) consecutive months of residency in Ohio for all other legal purposes, may apply to the institution he or she attends for reclassification as a resident of Ohio for fee assessment purposes. Should such student present clear and convincing proof that no part of his or her financial support is, or in the preceding twelve (12) consecutive months has been, provided directly or indirectly by persons or entities who are not residents of Ohio for all other legal purposes, such person shall be classified as an Ohio resident.

Any classification of a person who was once classified as a nonresident for these purposes shall have prospective application only from the date of such reclassification.

Note: Persons who hold the following visas are eligible for Ohio residency for-tuition-purposes, if all other residency eligibility requirements are met: "A", "E", "G", "H", "I", "L", "TD", and "TN". Call the Office of the Registrar for details.

III.   Applying for Ohio Residency For-Tuition-Purposes 

After having fully reviewed the residency eligibility criteria as established by the State of Ohio, and described on this page, you may submit one of the following applications for residency reclassification and supporting documents to the Office of the Registrar: 

Change of Residency Application
Conditional Residency Application
Immediate Residency Application

Each application requires the additional submission of supporting documentation.  Documentation may include a driver's license, vehicle registration, proof of voter registration, most recent state income tax form, and a lease or property deed.  The Registrar’s Office may require additional documentation prior to making a determination regarding your Ohio Residency for-tuition-purposes eligibility. 

The application form and supporting documentation must be submitted at least three weeks prior to the start of the term for which you are enrolling.

Applications received after the start of the term will be processed for the following term. 

The residency application and supporting documentation may be submitted at the One Stop Student Services Center (University Pavilion, 2^nd floor), or may be mailed to:

Faxed copies will not be accepted.

IV.     Residency Classification and Fee Assessment

Fees are charged on the basis of residence in the State of Ohio and residence outside the State of Ohio. If the student believes that he or she qualifies for Ohio residency for tuition purposes under the provisions outlined on this page, the student must submit an appropriate residency application and all supporting documents to the Office of the Registrar via the One Stop Student Services Center at least three weeks prior to the first day of the term in which the student plans to enroll.

A student's residency classification and corresponding fee assessments are subject to audit at any time throughout the academic career of the student.

Additional information and guidelines concerning residence are available from the Office of the Registrar, 5th Floor, University Pavilion or by telephone at (513) 556-1000.