Residency

What are the residency classifications?

Your residency status is one of the following:

1. In County: You are a Texas resident who lives in Tarrant County.
2. Out of County: You are a Texas resident who lived outside of Tarrant County
3. Out of State: You are not a Texas resident for tuition purposes.
4. Foreign Student: You are a non-US citizen and are not a Texas resident for tuition purposes.
5. Pending—Status to be Determined: We do not have the information we need to make a residency determination. Contact your campus Admissions and Registrar Office to update your residency status. You will not be able to register for class until a residency determination has been made.

Find your residency classification:

1. Log in to Hello!TCC
2. Use the filter to search for Student Summary

The student is responsible for registering under the proper residency classification.

Are there changes to your residency, or is your status incorrect? Immediately notify the Admissions and Registrar Office of any updates.

What are TCC's current tuition rates?

Visit our tuition and fees page to find current tuition rates.

What is the census date and why is it important?

The census date is the official day of record. TCC uses the census date to determine your residency status for a semester:

• Changes to your residency status before a semester's census date apply to the current semester
• Changes made on or after the census date will apply to the following semester

Find census dates (official day of record) for upcoming semesters in the 2025–2026 Academic Calendar.

What is a "domicile"?

“Domicile” is your home or primary residence. Your domicile is used when determining your residency for tuition purposes.

Texas Education Code defines domicile as “a person's principal, permanent residence to which the person intends to return after any temporary absence (generally less than one year).” 

Who can be classified as a Texas resident?

Students who are US citizens or non-US citizens lawfully present in the US may be considered for Texas residency.

There are 3 pathways to establishing Texas residency:

• Texas High School Graduation
• Independent Student
• Dependent Student

All residency determinations are subject to review and may require appropriate documentation. Requests for reclassification and any required documentation must be submitted before the census date of your enrollment term.

For example: If the census date for your fall term is August 30, you must meet the requirements of your residency pathway as of August 29 the year before.

Find census dates (official day of record) for upcoming semesters in the Find census dates (official day of record) for upcoming semesters in the 2025–2026 Academic Calendar.

Texas High School Graduation

You may qualify for Texas residency if you have lived in Texas for 12 months prior to the census date of the term in which you enroll and you meet one of the following:

• Graduated from a public or private high school in Texas and continuously lived in Texas 36 months prior to your graduation
• Received a High School Equivalency (HSE) in Texas and continuously lived in Texas 36 months prior to earning your HSE

Note: If you are a non-US citizen who is lawfully present in the US and eligible for this pathway, you must submit the Residency Affidavit (PDF)Listen (opens in a new window).

Independent Student

You may qualify for Texas residency if you are an independent student who has established and maintained a home in Texas for 12 months prior to the census date of your enrollment term.

Eligibility Based on Spouse

As an independent student, you may qualify for Texas residency based on your spouse if they have established and maintained a home in Texas for 12 months prior to the census date of your enrollment term.

You can make a residency claim based on your spouse no matter how long you have been married or how long you have lived in Texas.

Dependent Student

You may qualify for Texas residency if you are a dependent student whose parent or legal guardian has established and maintained a home in Texas for 12 months prior to the census date of your enrollment term.

You can make a claim based on your parent/legal guardian no matter how long you have lived in Texas.

Note: If you qualify for residency based on another person, the documentation you submit must support the Texas residency of that person.

What is a "lawful presence"?

Lawful presence means having a legally recognized status in the United States under federal law.

Can I be eligible for in-state tuition if I'm not a US citizen?

Yes. If you are a non-US citizen who is lawfully present in the US, you may be considered for Texas residency. For more information, learn about who can be classified as a Texas resident.

Am I required to submit documentation for my residency status?

All applicants submit initial residency questions as part of the TCC admission application. You will be contacted if we need more information or required documentation.

If you need to request a residency review for reclassification, you will be asked to submit a new Residency Questionnaire (PDF)Listen (opens in a new window) and documentation to support your residency claim.

Review the Residency Checklist (PDF)Listen (opens in a new window) for more help on documentation required to establish Texas residency. 

How do I submit my residency status documentation?

Submit residency questionnaires and documentation in person to your campus Admissions and Registrar Office or by email from your myTCC email address. Be sure to include your name and TCC ID number on all documents.

Allow 1–2 business days for review and processing.

What if I'm a military veteran or military-connected student?

Residency status also determines tuition rates for Texans and Non-Texans in the military. Learn more about your residency status if you're a Texan or Non-Texan in the military.

Absence from the state of Texas for the purpose of service in the US Armed Forces, US Public Health Service, US Department of Defense, US Department of State, as a result of an employment assignment, or for educational purposes, will not affect your ability to continue to claim Texas as your domicile.

What if I want to update my residency status?

If you are eligible for reclassification and want your residency status updated for the current semester, you should submit documentation before the current semester's census date. Otherwise, your residency status (and updated tuition cost) will be effective the following semester.

Change from Out-of-State to In-State

To update your residency status from out-of-state to in-state, you'll need to complete the Residency Questionnaire (PDF)Listen (opens in a new window) and provide supporting documentation.

Change from Out-of-County to In-County

To update your residency status from out-of-county to in-county, contact the Admissions and Registrar Office to request reclassification. You (or your parent/legal guardian) must show you've established residence in Tarrant County and provide supporting documentation dated within the past 30 days that shows a Tarrant County address. A P.O. box address is not accepted.