Residency Reclassification for Tuition and Fee Purposes

Applications for Summer 2025 and after are being accepted at this time.

Application Windows:

Spring term: Nov. 15 - Feb 15
Summer term: April 15 - June 15
Fall term: July 15 - Sept. 15

What is Residency Reclassification?

Residency reclassification allows you to change your status from a non-resident to a resident for tuition and fee purposes. Your residency status is initially determined during the admissions process based on the information provided in your application. You can apply for reclassification if you were initially classified as a non-resident and later establish residency in Missouri.

Qualification for Residency Reclassification

You may qualify for residency reclassification if you, your spouse, or your parent/guardian meet specific conditions, including:

You, your spouse, or your parent/guardian have lived in Missouri for 12 consecutive months.
You, your spouse, or your parent/guardian move to Missouri for full-time employment, professional practice, retirement, or to run a business.
Your parent/guardians are divorced, and one parent/guardian lives and works in Missouri.
You marry a Missouri resident and establish a common household.
You moved to Missouri to work full-time and have decided to enroll at Missouri State University.

Special Circumstances

You, your spouse, or your parent/guardian are active-duty military stationed in Missouri or a member of the National Guard.
You graduated from a Missouri high school and are enrolling in college in the term immediately following your graduation.

If none of these circumstances apply to you, you must establish residency in Missouri for at least 12 consecutive months before applying for reclassification.

Required Documentation for Residency Reclassification

*Required documents for residency reclassification vary depending on how you qualify—whether through yourself, your spouse, or your parent/guardian. Be sure to review the specific criteria and provide the appropriate documentation based on your eligibility category.

Yourself

*If qualifying on your own, all documentation must be in your name.

A brief personal statement, from the student, explaining the intent to make Missouri a permanent home (not including educational purposes in Missouri).
Missouri Driver’s License or Non-Driver ID.
Voter Registration in Missouri (or U.S. Permanent Resident Card if applicable).
Proof of Presence in Missouri (e.g., lease agreement, mortgage statement, or notarized residency statement).
Proof of Income in Missouri (W-2 or Missouri state tax return showing minimum $3,000 earnings).

Spouse

*If qualifying by your spouse, all documentation must be in your spouse's name.

A brief personal statement, from the student, explaining the intent to make Missouri a permanent home (not including educational purposes in Missouri).
Missouri Driver’s License or Non-Driver ID.
Voter Registration in Missouri (or U.S. Permanent Resident Card if applicable).
Proof of Presence in Missouri (e.g., lease agreement, mortgage statement, or notarized residency statement).
Proof of Income in Missouri (W-2 or Missouri state tax return showing minimum $3,000 earnings).
Marriage License.

Parent/Guardian

*If qualifying by parent/guardian, all documentation must be in your parent/guardian's name.

A brief personal statement, from the student, explaining the intent to make Missouri a permanent home (not including educational purposes in Missouri).
Missouri Driver’s License or Non-Driver ID.
Voter Registration in Missouri (or U.S. Permanent Resident Card if applicable).
Proof of Presence in Missouri (e.g., lease agreement, mortgage statement, or notarized residency statement).
Proof of Income in Missouri (W-2 or Missouri state tax return showing minimum $3,000 earnings).
Submit parent/guardian's federal tax return showing the student's dependency status.

Special Circumstances

Military Applicants

A brief personal statement from the student explaining the reason for currently residing in Missouri, excluding enrollment in or attendance at a Missouri educational institution as the primary purpose.
Military Documents:
- Current military orders showing your, your spouse's, or parent/guardian's duty station is in Missouri.
  OR
- Military documentation proving Missouri is your home of record.
Marriage license (if applicable).
Federal tax return showing the student's dependency status (if applicable).

Missouri National Guard Applicants

A brief personal statement from the student explaining the reason for currently residing in Missouri, excluding enrollment in or attendance at a Missouri educational institution as the primary purpose.
Documentation confirming active or reserve status in the Missouri National Guard.
Missouri Driver’s License or Non-Driver ID.

Missouri High School Graduates

A brief personal statement from the student explaining the reason for currently residing in Missouri, excluding enrollment in or attendance at a Missouri educational institution as the primary purpose.
High school transcript showing Missouri residency at graduation.

List of Accepted Documents

*Required documents for residency reclassification vary depending on how you qualify—whether through yourself, your spouse, or a parent/guardian.

When applying for residency reclassification, you must submit several documents, some of which may require notarization:

- Briefly explain why you qualify for Missouri Residency, which must include your intent to make Missouri your permanent home (outside of being in Missouri for educational purposes).
- Submit a copy of the permanent Missouri driver's license.
- Non-driver ID.
- Can register as a voter in Greene County online.
- If not a U.S. citizen but have a U.S. Permanent Resident Card, provide a copy of this instead of a voter registration card.
Accepted documentation showing 12 months of consecutive residency in Missouri (one of the following):
- Current lease agreement.
- Mortgage statement or property deed.
- Notarized statement verifying your physical residency.
Accepted documentation (one of the following):
- Prior year’s Missouri state income tax return showing at least $3,000 in earnings.
- Prior year’s W-2 showing at least $3,000 in earnings, in Missouri.
- Documentation of disability benefits from the State of Missouri.
- If being claimed as a dependent by parent/guardian, submit qualifying party's federal tax return, showing your dependency status and the qualifying party's income.
Military Applicants
- Current military orders showing your duty station is in Missouri.
- Military documentation proving Missouri is your home of record.
- Marriage license (if spouse is active military stationed in Missouri).
Missouri National Guard Applicants
- Documentation confirming active or reserve status in the Missouri National Guard.
- Missouri Driver’s License or Non-Driver ID.
Missouri High School Graduates
- High school transcript showing Missouri residency at graduation.

Accepted Documents List

What You Need to Know Before Applying for Residency Reclassification

You are responsible for applying. According to Missouri State’s Residency Policy, it is your responsibility to apply for residency reclassification after establishing residency in Missouri. You must also provide any required proof of residency as requested by the university.
Reclassification is not retroactive. If your application is approved, your residency status will only be updated for the term in which you applied—it will not apply to previous terms.
Deadlines cannot be extended or appealed.
Your permanent address must be in Missouri. Before submitting your application, update your permanent address with the university to a Missouri address. While your physical address does not determine residency status, your records should reflect your Missouri residency.
Temporary IDs are not accepted. You, your spouse, or your parent/guardian must have a permanent Missouri driver’s license or state identification before applying.
Once submitted, your application will be processed within 2-3 weeks when the university is open. During this time, the Office of the Registrar cannot provide status updates.
Student employment status does not count as proof of residency. If you live in university housing or have a campus job, these do not count as proof of Missouri residency since they are based on your student status.

FAQs

Some documents may require notarization. Free notary servise are available on campus; call ahead to confirm availability. Notaries at MSU
International Students: Only students with eligible visas or permanent resident status may qualify. F, J, or M visa holders are not eligible.
Disputing Residency Status: If you believe your residency status was misclassified during admission, contact the Office of Admissions at Admissions@MissouriState.edu.

Policy and Appeals

Missouri State University follows the State of Missouri's residency policy for determining residency status for tuition and fees. Learn more: Residency Policy.

G5.04 Determination of Residency for Tuition and Fee Purposes

In determining a student’s residency for tuition and fee purposes, the University adheres to the policy for determination of student residency established and approved by the Missouri Coordinating Board for Higher Education (CBHE). The University also complies with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations with respect to the classification of veterans and their dependents.

The initial determination of a student’s residency is made by the office responsible for the student’s admission to the University (Office of Admissions for degree-seeking undergraduate students, Graduate College for graduate students, and Academic Outreach for students in nondegree classifications). Students classified as non-residents who wish to apply for reclassification to resident status may do so by submitting a residency application to the Office of the Registrar. Students who are not satisfied with the decision of that office may appeal to the Committee on Residency. Decisions of that committee will be final.

Effective date

May 18, 2017

Approved by Board of Governors: May 18, 2017

Residency Reclassification Application