Residence Questionnaire
Please read the information below before filling out the form
Frequently Asked Questions
The rules for establishing residency for tuition purposes have changed, effective Fall 2006. Please read these questions before completing the core residence questionnaire.
If you have any questions, please contact Terri Kirkpatrick (terri.kirkpatrick@ttu.edu) or Evelyn Arnold (evelyn.arnold@ttu.edu) at 806-742-2787.
Who must complete this form?
ALL students EXCEPT F1 and J1 International Students must fill out the Residency Questionnaire.
Part A - Student Basic Information
Question: What should I do if I don't have a Social Security number?
Answer: Use your application number or leave this item blank.
Part B - Previous Enrollment
Question: What is a "public institution"?
Answer: A public institution is a college or university supported by Texas taxpayers.
A list of public colleges, universities and health-related institutions is available
on the Higher Education Coordinating Board's website (http://www.collegefortexans.com/cfbin/inst.cfm).
Question: I don't know what type of tuition I paid. Do I need to answer this?
Answer: Yes, you need to answer this question. If you are unsure, check "Unknown" on questions 4 and 5. Then go to Part C.
Part C - Residency Claim
Question: I don't know if I am a Texas resident. What should I do?
Answer: If you are unsure, do not check "Yes" or "No" and go to Part D.
Part D - Acquisition of High School Diploma or GED
Question: Do I need to complete this section if I was home-schooled?
Answer: Yes. If you were home-schooled and received a General Equivalency Diploma (GED)
in Texas, check "Yes" on Question 1A and complete the rest of Part D. If you were home-schooled
and did not receive a GED in Texas, check "No".
Question: What is a "permanent resident"?
Answer: A permanent resident is a non-United States citizen who has been granted permission by
the federal government to make his or her home in America. This status enables non-U.S. citizens
to leave and come into the United States without having a visa. Permanent residents can work in
the United States and after acquitting enough years of residency in the U.S. can apply for permanent
citizenship. Permanent residents are eligible for residency for tuition purposes, providing they
meet the requirements.
Part E - Basis of Claim to Residency
Question: If I don't file taxes, how should I indicate this?
Answer: Make the appropriate selection on question 3 and follow the Instructions to Part E.
Part F and G
Question: What is a "permanent resident"?
Answer: A permanent resident is a non-United States citizen who has been granted permission
by the federal government to make his or her home in America. This status enables non-U.S. citizens
to leave and come into the United States without having a visa. Permanent residents can work in the United
States and after acquitting enough years of residency in the U.S. can apply for permanent citizenship.
Permanent residents are eligible for residency for tuition purposes, providing they meet the requirements.
Question: What does "gainful employment" mean?
Answer: "Gainful Employment" is defined as lawful activities intended to provide an income to the
individual or allow an individual to avoid the expense of paying another person to perform the tasks
(as in child care or the maintenance of a home). A person who is self-employed, employed as a
homemaker, or who is living off his/her earnings may be considered gainfully employed for tuition
purposes, as may an individual whose primary support is the government (for instance, through a
public assistance program). Employment related to your status as a student (i.e., teaching/research
assistant or work study) DOES NOT qualify as gainful employment for tuition purposes.
Part H - General Comments
Question: Do I need to write anything in this section?
Answer: That depends. This area allows you to enter any information you feel would help
us make your residency determination. If you feel that your answers in the previous
sections are enough, then you do not have write anything.
General Questions
Question: Do I have to complete the affidavit?
Answer: That depends. You should only complete the affidavit if you are NOT a U.S. citizen or permanent
resident and answered "No" to Part D, Question 4.
Question: Do I have to print all the pages?
Answer: Yes. We are required to assess your residency status based on the entire Residence Questionnaire.
Now that you have read these questions, please click here to download the Residence Questionnaire.