Texas Residency

Understanding Texas Residency for Tuition and Fees

WCJC Residency Determination

Residency for admission and tuition purposes at a public college or university in Texas is not the same as residency for voting or tax purposes. The Texas Higher Education Coordination Board (THECB) and the Texas Legislature establishes the rules that govern Texas residency for tuition purposes.

 

Texas Resident: An admitted student will be classified as a Texas Resident (19 TAC §21.24), and will be entitled to pay Texas Resident tuition, under any of the following three paths:

Path 1: Current high school student in Texas

1. 1. Documentation required: Texas high school transcript

 

Path 2: Texas high school/GED graduate who attended a Texas high school for the last 36 months prior to graduating from high school and was in the state 12 months before the start of the term at a college or university.

1. 1. Documentation required depending on applicant type: 
      1. For a U.S citizen or Permanent Resident who graduated (or will graduate) in current year:
         1. a copy of the official HS transcript/GED
      2. For A U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident who graduated over 12 months from current date:
         1. a copy of the official HS transcript/GED
         2. proof of physical presence in the state of Texas for the 12 months leading up to the start of the term is required. Any item listed in List A (Maintain Residence) section of Residence Reclassification (19 TAC §21.27) on this page.
      3. Non-U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident who graduated (or will graduate) in the current year
         1. a copy of the official HS transcript/GED is required
         2. affidavit of residency (located on the last page of the Texas Core Residency Questions)
      4. Non-U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident who graduated over 12 months from current date.
         1. a copy of the official HS transcript/GED is required.
         2. Affidavit of residency (located on the last page of the Texas Core Residency Questions)
         3. Proof of physical presence in the State of Texas for the 12 months leading up to the start of the term. Any item listed in List A (Maintain Residence) section of Residence Reclassification (19 TAC §21.27) on this page.

Path 3: Domicile - meaning that the applicant is treating Texas as their permanent place of residence and having been in the State of Texas for 12 months before the start of the term at a college or university. Any of the following can be provided.

For any of the following - the following documentation is required:

1. 1. 1. Proof of gainful employment for 12 months leading up to the start of the term. (12 months of paystubs, one for each month, with your name and an address in the State of Texas). You can also submit proof of student/parent receiving social service agencies (TANF, social security, Medicaid, SNAP, CHIPS, etc.) attesting to the provision of services. OR
         
         
      2. Proof of home ownership in the State of Texas for 12 months leading up to the start of the term. (warranty deed showing date of purchase with your name (or parents/spouses name) OR
         
         
      3. Proof of business ownership in the State of Texas for 12 months leading up to the start of the term. (A "certificate of fact - status" is a certificate issued by the Secretary of State that serves as official evidence of an entity's existence or authority to transact business in Texas) OR
         
         
      4. Married to, or the dependent of, anyone who can provide proof of a, b, or c.

 

If you are unsure which path to follow, please download and fill out the Texas Core Residency Questions and email them to admissions@wcjc.edu.

 

Residency Classifications

• In-District: A “Texas Resident” (see above) will be classified as an “In-District” student if they physically reside within the geographic boundaries of the WCJC tax district at the time of application. The WCJC tax district includes only those geographic areas encompassed within Wharton County and Needville ISD.
  
  
• Out-of-District: A “Texas Resident” (see above) will be classified as an “Out-of-District” student if they physically reside outside of the geographic boundaries of the WCJC tax district at the time of application.
  
  
• Non-Resident: An admitted student who is a U.S. Citizen, but does not qualify as a “Texas Resident” (see above) based on the required categorizations, will be classified a “Non-Resident” student.

 

Residence Reclassification (19 TAC §21.27)

If a current WCJC student requires an update to their residency status, they are required to submit documentation to support their claim to be a “Texas Resident” or “In-District Resident”. Students must submit a Core Residency Questionnaire, along with all supporting documentation, to the Office of Admissions and Registration. Reclassification of a student’s residency must be submitted prior to the census date in order for their tuition status to apply to the current semester. Reclassifications that are filed after the census date will apply to the following term.

If a student moved to Texas primarily for the purpose of attending an institution of higher education, it is presumed that they have not met the required intent to establish a domicile in Texas. Students may not establish domicile by performing acts which are directly-related to meeting educational objectives or are routinely performed by temporary residents of Texas (19 TAC §21.24).

 

Reclassification – “Non-Resident” to “Texas Resident”:

Students who request a reclassification from “Non-Resident” to “Texas Resident” must submit one document from List A (Maintain Residence) and one document from List B (Establish Domicile), in addition to the Core Residency Questionnaire. Documentation from each list must show a minimum of 12 consecutive months immediately preceding the census date.

 

List A (Maintain Residence)

• Texas high school transcript with a graduation date fewer than 12 months old.
• Texas driver’s license, ID, U.S. Passport, or voter registration card (no temporary paper copies) with address in the State of Texas.
• Original apartment lease agreement with an address in the State of Texas; must include student’s name and lease dates.
• Proof of property tax payments for the year directly preceding enrollment at WCJC for a residential address in the State of Texas.
• Bank statements indicating the student’s address in the State of Texas.
• Automobile insurance or vehicle registration with an address in the State of Texas.
• Credit card statements with an address in the State of Texas.
• Residential utility bills (e.g. electricity, water, WiFi, or gas), cell phone bills, etc. for aresidential address in the State of Texas.
• Written statements from social service agencies (TANF, social security, Medicaid, SNAP, CHIPS, etc.) attesting to the provision of services.

 

List B (Establish Domicile)

• Proof of significant gainful employment, including employer-provided employment verification, proof of self-employment, or pay stubs. Student employment does not count toward this requirement.
• Proof of ownership in real property, sole or joint.
• Proof of ownership of a business in Texas.
• Proof of marriage to a Texas Resident.
• Proof of military service.
• Written statements from social service agencies (TANF, social security, Medicaid, SNAP, CHIPS, etc.) attesting to the provision of services.

 

Reclassification – “Non-Resident” to “In-District”:

Students who request a reclassification from “Non-Resident” to “In-District” must submit one document from List A (Maintain Residence) and one document from List B (Establish Domicile), in addition to the Core Residency Questionnaire. To be classified as “In-District”, the student must reside at an address within the WCJC tax district (Wharton County or Needville ISD). Documentation from each list must show a minimum of 12 consecutive months immediately preceding the census date.

List A (Maintain Residence)

• In-district high school transcript with a graduation date fewer than 12 months old.
• Texas driver’s license, ID, U.S. Passport, or voter registration card (no temporary paper copies) with address in the WCJC tax district. Original apartment lease agreement with address in the WCJC tax district; must include student’s name and lease dates.
• Proof of property tax payments for the year directly preceding enrollment at WCJC for a residential address in the WCJC tax district.
• Bank statements indicating the student’s address at WCJC for a residential address in the WCJC tax district.
• Automobile insurance or vehicle registration with address in the WCJC tax district.
• Credit card statements with address in the WCJC tax district.
• Residential utility bills (e.g. electricity, water, WiFi, or gas), cell phone bills, etc. for a residential address in the WCJC tax district.
• Written statements from social service agencies (TANF, social security, Medicaid, SNAP, CHIPS, etc.) attesting to the provision of services.

 

List B (Establish Domicile)

• Proof of significant gainful employment, including employer-provided employment verification, proof of self-employment, or pay stubs. Student employment does not count toward this requirement.
• Proof of ownership in real property, sole or joint.
• Proof of ownership of a business in Texas.
• Proof of marriage to a Texas Resident.
• Proof of military service.
• Written statements from social service agencies (TANF, social security, Medicaid, SNAP, CHIPS, etc.) attesting to the provision of services.

 

Reclassification – “Out-of-District” to “In-District”:

Students who request a reclassification from “Out-of-District” to “In-District” must submit one document from the following list, in addition to the Core Residency Questionnaire. To be classified as “In-District”, the student must reside at an address within the WCJC tax district (Wharton County or Needville ISD). Documentation must show a minimum of 12 consecutive months immediately preceding the census date.

 

• In-district high school transcript with a graduation date fewer than 12 months old.
• Texas driver’s license, ID, or voter registration card (no temporary paper copies) with address in the WCJC tax district.
• Original apartment lease agreement with address in the WCJC tax district; must include student’s name and lease dates.
• Proof of property tax payments for the year directly preceding enrollment at WCJC for aresidential address in the WCJC tax district.
• Bank statements indicating the student’s address at WCJC for a residential address inthe WCJC tax district.
• Automobile insurance or vehicle registration with address in the WCJC tax district.
• Credit card statements with address in the WCJC tax district.
• Residential utility bills (e.g. electricity, water, WiFi, or gas), cell phone bills, etc. for a residential address in the WCJC tax district.
• Written statements from social service agencies (TANF, social security, Medicaid, SNAP, CHIPS, etc.) attesting to the provision of services.

 

For additional information, please contact us at admissions@wcjc.edu or (979) 532-6303.