Definitions
Terms defined in this section are italicized throughout this policy.
Citizen
A legal citizen is a person born or naturalized in the United States, and who is subject to the jurisdiction thereof.
Dependent Student
A student who is under the age of 24 on the first day of the full semester in which the student attends classes at IU and who is enrolled in an undergraduate program is considered a dependent student. In general, this is a student who is financially reliant on a parent(s) or legal guardian(s) and who can be claimed as a dependent by a parent(s) or legal guardian(s) on federal taxes. The residency determination for a dependent student is based on the permanent residence of the parent(s) or legal guardian(s).
Eligible Non-Citizen
A person who is granted lawful permanent resident status or an eligible immigration status by the Office of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that would permit the person to establish a permanent residence within the United States. One of the following visas would qualify a person to be classified as an eligible non-citizen: A-1, A-2, A-3, E-1, E-2, E-3, G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4, H-1B, H-4, I, L-1, L-2, O-1, O-3, V-1, V-2, and V-3. This definition does not affect other definitions or requirements that may be contained in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) or other regulations and laws. Continued eligibility to remain classified as an eligible non-citizen depends upon the continued maintenance of such lawful presence.
Indiana Partner
A non-resident student who attends any IU campus except Bloomington and who has a permanent residence in a qualifying state may be eligible for a discounted tuition rate through the Indiana Partners program. It is important to note this discount only applies to specific academic programs on each of these campuses and a student may be required to meet specific admission criteria.
Independent Student
A student who is or will be 24 years old on the first day of the full semester in which the student attends classes at IU, or a student who is enrolled in a graduate or graduate professional program, regardless of age, is considered an independent student. A student may also be classified as an independent student if the student is married, claims a dependent(s) on federal taxes, is an orphan, is a ward of the court, is legally emancipated, is an unaccompanied youth, or was raised in foster care. In general, this is a student who cannot be claimed as a dependent by a parent(s) or legal guardian(s) on federal taxes. The residency determination for an independent student is based on the permanent residence of the independent student.
Non-Resident
A student who does not meet the residency criteria and thus will be charged non-resident tuition and fees.
Parent(s) or Legal Guardian(s)
A person or persons (e.g., parents) who a dependent student lives with the majority of the time. This person may be a legal guardian or any individual who stands in loco parentis of the dependent student (e.g., aunt, uncle, grandparent, etc.).
Permanent Residence
The place where an individual establishes a permanent home with the intention to remain in such place for an indefinite period. It is the location the individual lives the majority of the time and is the location the individual remains when not called elsewhere for labor, studies, or other special or temporary purposes. An individual has but one permanent residence at any time, and a permanent residence cannot be lost until another is gained.
A student who is experiencing homelessness with no fixed residence may still establish a permanent residence within a state by providing appropriate documentation regarding their living arrangements, even if such arrangements may be varied.
Predominant Purpose
The reason a student established a permanent residence within the State of Indiana was for a primary purpose other than to establish residency in the State of Indiana for the purpose of attending a higher education institution and paying in-state tuition and fees.
Being a resident in the State of Indiana precedes enrollment in a higher education institution out-of-state. For example, A dependent student or independent student who established a permanent residence in the State of Indiana and who chooses to attend a higher education institution outside the State of Indiana shall be considered a resident if the student unenrolls or graduates from that institution, returns to Indiana, and enrolls at IU so long as the student meets the residency criteria listed below. Likewise, a dependent student whose parent(s) or legal guardian(s) moved to Indiana for a predominant purpose other than to obtain in-state tuition and fee rates while the student was enrolled in a higher education institution outside the State of Indiana shall be considered a resident if the student unenrolls or graduates from that institution, returns to Indiana, and enrolls at IU so long as the student meets the residency criteria listed below, even if the student transitions to independent student status.
Reciprocal County
Several IU campuses have agreements with counties in Ohio (OH) and/or Kentucky (KY) to charge residents of those counties in-state tuition and fee rates. It is important to note that applicable counties vary by participating IU campuses. Thus, a student who is granted reciprocal county status at one IU campus may not be granted the same reciprocal county status at another campus.
Resident
A student who meets the residency criteria and will be charged in-state tuition and fees.