University of Montevallo Reclassification for Tuition Purposes

Non-Resident Tuition Policy.

All students who are registered at the University of Montevallo and who move to the state of Alabama for the sole purpose of attending school will be considered a “non-resident student” for tuition purposes.  Initial determination of student resident status is made at the Admissions Office for Undergraduate and Graduate Admissions and Records for Graduate students.  A student’s status will remain unchanged throughout their education at the University of Montevallo unless compelling and satisfactory evidence is provided to the Registrar's Office.  Documentation must be at least one year (12 months) in age in order to be considered.

See Frequently Asked Questions here.

Students wishing to apply for residency should discuss the process with the Registrar.  the Registrar is located in the Registrar's Office on second floor of Palmer hall.

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Definitions:

A “resident student” is one who at a minimum meets the following criteria:

  1. Have an intention to remain in the state of Alabama indefinitely
  2. Have a specific permanent physical address or location within the state of Alabama
  3. Possess more substantial connections with the state of Alabama than with any other state and are not in Alabama for the sole purposes of obtaining an education
  4. Are not minors, however a student who is at the time of registration is a minor may obtain reclassification based on the evidence provided by the supporting parent.
A “minor” is an individual who, due to age, lacks the capacity under Alabama law to enter into a contract.  This means that an individual under the age of 19 and a married individual under the age of 18.  The earliest a student who is a non-minor can make an application for reclassification is 12 months after their 19 birthday, hence their 20th birthday.

A “supporting person”, either or both of the parents of the student, if the parents are living together, or if the parents are divorced or living separately, then either the parent having legal custody or, if different, the parent providing the greater amount of financial support.

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How do non-resident students qualify for in state residency?

Students will be considered residents of Alabama if they are a dependent of their supporting person and/or:
  1. Are full time employees of the University of Montevallo, or the spouse of an employe.
  2. Can verify full time permanent employment within the state of Alabama, or the spouse of an employee, and will commence employment within 90 days of registration at the University of Montevallo.
  3. Are members, a spouse or dependent, of the United States military on full time active duty stationed in Alabama or with official home of record declared as Alabama
  4. Accredited members, or spouse thereof, of a consular staff assigned to duties in Alabama.
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Determining residency

In determining residency the University of Montevallo will consider the absence and/or presence of significant connections to the state of Alabama, including but not limited to:
  1. Payment of Alabama state income tax as a resident
  2. Submission of a one page letter of appeal outlining why your application has merit to be reclassified to instate status
  3. Ownership of real property and ad valorem taxes
  4. Continuous presence within the state of not less than 12 consecutive months, for the other purposes of other than to attend a school
  5. Residence in the state of spouse, children, parents
  6. Banking services within Alabama, checking accounts, savings accounts, investments
  7. Voter registration within the state of Alabama of at least 1 year previous to application
  8. Alabama driver’s license, vehicle registration, insurance policies, dated at least 1 year previous to application
  9. Possession of state or local licenses to do business, or practice a profession
  10. Other ties to the state that are not related to the University of Montevallo.

Although the above does provide examples the list is not exhaustive and decision for reclassification is not necessarily made based on a lack or type of documentation.  That is to say, one piece of documentation may not be taken as more important than others.

For a student who is attending the University of Montevallo and is not a minor the following will be considered in your application:

  1. Maintaining of ties to another state, i.e. licenses, banking or owning a home
  2. The timeframe of your arrival to the state of Alabama.  If your residency began shortly before the school year began.
  3. A parent or other person who is not a resident providing financial support for your education at the University of Montevallo.
  4. Receives loans or is being supported by someone who is receiving educational loans from an out of state location or person on your behalf.
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International Students

International students by law cannot remain indefinitely within the state of Alabama therefore do not qualify for reclassification under this policy.  Some agreements have been made at the state level with the Alabama Free Trade Agreement. 

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Registration

Registration fees and due dates cannot be extended while a review for residency is being considered.  If the reclassification is successful then, if needed, a refund will be issued in the manner in which it was paid.

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Appeals

The University of Montevallo does have an appeal process in writing.  If you are denied your application and believe that it should be reconsidered you can submit your appeal in writing, to the Registrar’s Office, no later than 30 days past the original decision date.  A panel of three (3) University of Montevallo employees with review your application and render their opinion.  The decision of the Appeals committee is final. 

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Process for making an application

Students who wish to make an application for reclassification of residency status must make it to the Registrar's Office by submitting the Application for Residency Reclassification Form by the first day of class for the term which residency is being requested.  Supporting documentation must be submitted with the form and no application will be accepted after these dates for that term.

Students may only make one application in any given school year.  Please submit photocopies of supporting documentation with your application.

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