A dependent student who has been initially classified as a nonresident for tuition and fee purposes may become eligible for reclassification if their parent(s) or legal guardian(s) have permanently relocated to Montana. In such cases, both the student and their parent(s)/legal guardian(s) must submit a residency petition along with documentation establishing Montana residency.

Note: A married student must apply as an independent student and is not considered a dependent for residency purposes.

If a student is classified as dependent, both the student and their parent(s)/legal guardian(s) must satisfy the 12-month domicile requirement. Supporting documentation must demonstrate the establishment and maintenance of a bona fide Montana domicile for the entire 12 consecutive months immediately preceding the term for which in-state status is sought. Temporary residence in the state does not meet this requirement.

The 12-month residency period does not begin, or will be considered interrupted, during any time that the student or their parent(s)/legal guardian(s) maintain legal ties to another state or country. This includes, but is not limited to, holding an out-of-state driver’s license, vehicle registration, voter registration, or filing taxes as a resident of another state or country, regardless of the reason.

A residency petition is considered complete only when all required documentation has been received from both the student and their parent(s)/legal guardian(s).

To be eligible for in-state status, the student and their parent(s)/legal guardian(s) must have established all legal ties to Montana on or before the 15th class day of the semester in which the 12-month residency period begins. Exceptions to this timeline require a written appeal and explanation, which will be reviewed by the Registrar’s Office Residency Committee.

Checklist for Dependent Student Reclassification (Family Reclassification)

These Residency Questionnaires, provided by the Board of Regents, must be completed legibly in ink and signed by the student and each of their parent(s) or legal guardian(s).

The student and each of their parent(s) or legal guardian(s) must submit a copy of their Montana driver’s license or state-issued identification card. If any of them currently hold a license or ID from another state, they must obtain a Montana-issued license or ID before the start of the required 12-month residency petition period in order to sever that legal tie.

The submitted documentation must clearly display the current issue date and, if different, the original issue date.

Montana driver’s licenses and identification cards may be obtained through the Montana Motor Vehicle Division (MVD).

The student and each of their parent(s) or legal guardian(s) must submit a copy of their Montana Certificate of Voter Registration that clearly shows the issue date. If any of them are registered to vote in another state, they must register to vote in Montana before the start of the required 12-month residency petition period to sever that legal tie.

A Certificate of Voter Registration may be obtained from the Voter Registration/County Election Office, located at 311 W. Main Street, Room #210, Bozeman, MT (in the old Courthouse).

The student and their parent(s) or legal guardian(s) should submit a copy of their Montana vehicle registration. If a vehicle is registered in another state but operated in Montana, it must be registered in Montana before the start of the required 12-month residency petition period to sever that legal tie.

The parent(s) or legal guardian(s) should submit copies of their most recent pay stub(s) from all jobs held during the current year, showing year-to-date gross earnings.

The parent(s) or legal guardian(s) should submit their most recent Montana resident state tax return. Ensure that all required Montana resident tax returns have been filed for any taxable income earned during the period in which residency is claimed.

If you have difficulty obtaining tax return documentation, please contact the Montana Department of Revenue at (406) 444-6900 for assistance.

If the student has applied for financial aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), they should provide documentation showing what was awarded and accepted for the academic year.

This information can be found by clicking the link at the bottom of the award page in MyInfo. If the student is unable to locate this link, they should contact the Registrar's Office for assistance.

If the parent(s) or legal guardian(s) moved to Montana primarily for full-time, permanent employment prior to the student applying to MSU, this may qualify the student for residency reclassification.

If applicable, and in conjunction with the Employment Affidavit, evidence of the transfer or employment offer must be submitted. This may include a letter from the employer confirming the relocation or transfer to Montana. Please note that self-employment does not qualify for this consideration.

Submit documentation verifying home ownership in Montana.

Not required for petitions submitted on behalf of dependent students (i.e., family reclassification).

  • A student who registers for more than 7.0 credit hours in any semester during the 12-month residency establishment period is presumed to be in Montana for educational purposes.
  • A student who is absent from the state for more than a total of 30 days during the residency period is also presumed to be in Montana primarily for educational purposes.
  • Additionally, a student who accepts an Academic Achievement Award or a Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) Scholarship during the residency period is presumed to be in the state for educational purposes.

This information is provided for informational purposes only. Final residency determinations are governed by Board of Regents’ Residency Policy and the Montana University System’s Guide to Montana Residency Policy.

Appeals Process 

If a student is denied in-state status, they may first appeal the decision to the Montana State University–Bozeman campus committee within 14 calendar days of the committee’s decision. If the appeal is denied again, the student may submit a second appeal to the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education, also within 14 calendar days of the campus committee’s decision.

The appeal may include a letter and any additional written materials the student wishes to submit. All materials should be provided to Veronica Jordan at veronica.jordan@montana.edu, who will compile and forward the complete appeal packet to the appropriate committee.

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) protects the privacy of all education records, regardless of format, maintained by Montana State University. Although the law was enacted in 1974, its protections extend beyond paper records to include electronic and other digital formats. All student education records, including those stored in computer databases, are covered under this federal law.

FERPA applies to the residency petition process. This means that residency-related documents and decisions are part of the student's protected education record. University staff cannot discuss a student's residency status, petition, or appeal with parents, guardians, or others.

In addition, Montana State Law provides further privacy protections and is considered more restrictive in its approach to releasing information about dependent students to parents or legal guardians.