Residency Determination
University Policy
Non-Ohio residents should seriously consider in-state residency to receive in-state tuition and fees. For a detailed description on how to apply for eligibility as an Ohio resident, please visit the Ohio University Catalog.
Otherwise, please read the following condensed version created by the Graduate College.
To become an Ohio Resident
Becoming an Ohio resident for tuition purposes is not an automatic process. You must take steps to establish residency, and then file a residency petition with the Graduate College. This information is to assist you in taking the appropriate steps to demonstrate your intent to become an Ohio resident. A copy of the Ohio residency Policy is in the Graduate Catalog.
One definition of a resident of Ohio is any person who maintains a consecutive 12-month place or places of residence in Ohio, is qualified to vote in Ohio, who may be subjected to tax liability in Ohio, and who has not allowed himself or herself to remain a resident of any other state or nation for any of these or other purposes.* If you intend to declare yourself a resident of Ohio under this definition, you must demonstrate that you have established residency in Ohio for a full year prior to filing a residency petition with the Graduate College. The following steps will help establish your intent to declare yourself a resident of Ohio:
- Consider Ohio your permanent residence.
- Register to vote in Ohio and did not vote in another state for 12 consecutive months prior to filing residency petition.
- Car is registered in Ohio, if you own a car.
- State and federal income taxes filed in Ohio as a resident of Ohio (with current Ohio address; this includes taxable interest income).
- If need to file income taxes in another state, file as non-resident or part-year resident (indicating residency of other state ceased upon date moved to Ohio); also file as part-year resident in Ohio.
- Maintain a permanent residence in Ohio for 12 consecutive months prior to petitioning for Ohio residency status.
- Demonstrate you are financially self-supported. You cannot receive direct or indirect financial support from persons or entities who are not residents of Ohio.
- You cannot be claimed as a dependent for tax purposes by anyone who is not a resident of Ohio.
* This includes retaining a driver’s license or car registration in another state, voting in another state, or filing taxes as a resident in another state.
Actions which call into question legitimacy of claim of residency: **
- Filing taxes as a full-year resident of another state.
- Accepting a PLUS loan or other substantial support from a parent or non-Ohio resident.
- Failing to maintain a 12-month place of residence in Ohio.
- Working outside Ohio and not subjecting income to Ohio taxation.
- Using a non-resident parent’s car and not paying vehicle loan, maintenance, operating, and insurance costs.
- Claiming a non-Ohio address as permanent place of residence.
- Inability to demonstrate financial independence
** This is not an inclusive list. Incomplete documentation or documentation which fails to meet the state residency regulations may result in a denial of Ohio residency.
Please note that a residency petition cannot be submitted more than 30 days before the first day of class. The deadline to submit the petition and all supporting documentation is the last day to register for classes in the semester for which residency is sought. Residency changes are not retroactive.
Ohio University Residency Petition and Instructions:
If you graduated from an Ohio High School within the last 10 years you may qualify for the Forever Buckeye residency application:
Forever Buckeye Application [PDF]
If you have any questions about Ohio residency, contact Ms. Martha Adsitt, Graduate College Services Administrator at adsitt@ohio.edu.