Residency Appeals

How is residency for tuition purposes established or determined?

Wisconsin Statutes, Section 36.27(2), govern resident status for tuition purposes. If you do not qualify as a Wisconsin resident, you must pay full nonresident tuition. In determining resident status for tuition purposes, different standards are used than those which may be used for voting, paying taxes, etc.  An independent adult must be a bona fide resident of Wisconsin for at least 12 months prior to the term of enrollment to be eligible for in-state tuition; however, individuals who enter and remain in Wisconsin primarily for educational purposes generally do not qualify, even after living in Wisconsin a year or more.

Here are some additional situations that may satisfy bona fide residency for tuition purposes:

1. If you graduated from a Wisconsin high school and your parents have lived continuously in Wisconsin during the 12 months prior to your enrollment.
2. If one of your parents has lived in Wisconsin continuously for at least 12 months and one of your parents claims you as a tax dependent.
3. If you are a refugee who came to Wisconsin immediately upon entering the United States.
4. If you are an active duty member of the Armed Forces stationed in Wisconsin, or the spouse or child of that person.
5. If you have been a member of the Wisconsin National Guard or federal reserves for at least 6 months and are still in service at time of enrollment.
6. If you are a migrant worker who has worked in Wisconsin annually, according to the statutory definitions, or the child of a person who had been employed.
7. If you, your spouse, or someone who claims you as a federal tax dependent moved to Wisconsin within the last 12 months to begin full-time employment in Wisconsin, or plans to do so before the beginning of the term for which you are applying, you may be eligible to pay resident fees. The full-time employment must be accepted before an application for admission is submitted.

Please note that nonresident students who are approved for Minnesota reciprocity status are eligible for reduced tuition rates are unrelated to their formal residence for tuition status.

If you have not started classes yet, contact the UWL Admissions Office at (608) 785-8939 for further explanation/clarification of these exceptions.

If you are a currently enrolled student interested in information on a residency appeal, contact Victoria Rahn in the Records and Registration Office.

If I enroll at UWL as a nonresident, can I be considered a resident after one year in school?

Individuals that enter Wisconsin primarily to go to school are presumed to be nonresidents for tuition purposes, even after living here for 12 months or more (Wis Stat 36.27(2)(e)(2)) unless the presumption is rebutted by clear and convincing evidence of bona fide residence.

If you believe you qualify for Wisconsin residency, you can complete an appeal form available through Victoria Rahn in the Records and Registration Office to determine if your residency classification can be changed.  You must prove with clear and convincing evidence that you have made Wisconsin your permanent home, that Wisconsin has been your permanent home for at least the 12-month period prior to the enrollment term you are appealing, and that you are not in Wisconsin primarily for educational purposes.

If I believe my classification as a nonresident is incorrect, what can I do?

If you are a new student that has not started classes yet, you may contact the UWL Admissions Office, (608) 785-8939, for interpretation and further information about residency determination. If you are a currently enrolled student and wish to appeal your residency determination, you may contact Victoria Rahn in the Records and Registration Office.

Appeals should be submitted before or during the term of enrollment.

How can I prove Wisconsin residency?

In determining your bona fide residence at the beginning of a semester and for the preceding 12 months, your intent to establish and maintain a permanent home in Wisconsin is determinative.

You may demonstrate or disprove intent through factors such as the timely filing of Wisconsin income tax returns of a type that only full-year Wisconsin residents may file, voter registration in Wisconsin, motor vehicle registration in Wisconsin, possession of a Wisconsin driver's license, place of employment, self-support, involvement in community activities in Wisconsin, and your physical presence in Wisconsin for at least the 12 months immediately prior to beginning university classes.

How can I learn more about the laws governing Wisconsin residency?

You may review a complete overview regarding the determination of residency for Universities of Wisconsin campuses here.