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I Didn’t Know That: How to Become an Idaho Resident

Fall Campus scenes from the Depot, photo Patrick Sweeney

The last couple of years have had many of us isolating, changing living and financial situations, it’s been a rollercoaster ride—basically school has looked a lot different for most of us. If you’ve had some big changes over the last year or so, you could qualify for Idaho residency status, which could change the tuition you end up paying from “out of state” to “in state”. Here are some things you maybe didn’t know that could make you an Idaho resident.

  • If your parent or legal guardian lives in Idaho and gives you at least 50% or more of your financial support.
  • If you’ve lived in Idaho for the last 12 months (for reasons other than schooling) and your parent or guardian gives you less than 50% of your financial support.
  • If you’ve gotten married to an Idaho resident and have been a part-time student for the last 12 months.
  • You are a member of an Idaho Native American Tribe.
  • You’re a grad student who physically lived in Idaho for at least the last 12 months of your undergraduate studies and you enrolled in your graduate program within 36 months of graduating with a bachelor’s degree.
  • You are dependent and your parent or guardian is in the Armed forces or served for at least two years.
  • You are independent and your spouse is in the Armed Forces or served for at least two years.

Jan 24, 2022 is the deadline to turn in documentation to prove you meet one of the Idaho Residency requirements.

Each one of the above potential residency situations has specific stipulations, time requirements, and you must have proper documentation to prove that you are an Idaho resident. Please make sure you read all the requirements very carefully and turn in all necessary documents.

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