Resident Status for Students

South Texas College (STC) determines residency status in accordance with applicable state and federal laws, and the guidelines established by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB). All applicants are required to complete the residency questions on the Application for Admission accurately and truthfully. The College may require supporting documentation to verify residency status. Providing false, incomplete, or misleading information may result in reclassification of residency status and the assessment of additional tuition and fees.

The STC district includes all of Hidalgo and Starr counties. For tuition assessment purposes, STC classifies residency status as follows:

  • In-District – Students who reside within Hidalgo County or Starr County.
  • Out-of-District – Students who reside in Texas but outside the STC service district.
  • Non-Resident – Students who reside outside the State of Texas, have lived in Texas for fewer than twelve (12) consecutive months, or are classified as international students. In accordance with institutional policy, international students are considered non-residents for tuition purposes.

Under federal and state law, each applicant or enrolled student is classified as either a Texas resident or a non-resident for tuition purposes.

Texas Residency Requirements

To qualify for Texas residency, an individual must:

  • Be lawfully present in the United States;
  • Reside in Texas for at least twelve (12) consecutive months;
  • Establish and maintain a domicile in Texas for the twelve (12) months preceding the census date of the term in which they intend to enroll; and
  • If claimed as a dependent on a parent’s most recent federal income tax return, be classified according to the parent’s residency status.

Residency Based on High School Graduation or Receipt of a GED

In accordance with Texas Education Code §54.052, an individual must be lawfully present to be classified as a Texas resident.

An individual is considered a resident if the individual:

  • Resided with their parent(s), guardian, or conservator while attending a public high school in Texas;
  • Graduated from a public high school or received a GED certificate in Texas;
  • Resided in Texas for at least three (3) years as of the date of high school graduation or GED completion; and
  • Resided in Texas for twelve (12) months prior to the census date of the semester in which the student plans to enroll.

All documentation provided must include the student’s name and address.

In-District Residence Classification

An individual must first qualify for Texas (in-state) residency before being classified as either an in-district or out-of-district student.  An individual who qualifies as an in-state resident may also qualify as an in-district resident if they have established residency in Hidalgo County or Starr County. To establish residency in Hidalgo County or Starr County, a student—or the parent of a student who is a dependent—must establish a domicile or own ad valorem tax property within the STC taxing district.

All other in-state residents will be classified as out-of-district residents.

Out-of-state students classified as non-residents have not met the state requirements for establishing residency prior to the census date of the term in which they are enrolling.

If there are any questions regarding residency classification, it is the student’s responsibility to contact the Residency Specialist prior to or at the time of enrollment for a residency determination.

Change of Residency Classification

Students currently classified as non-residents who believe they qualify for Texas residency must contact the Residency Specialist to request a residency reclassification review. To be considered, students must submit a completed Core Residency Questionnaire along with supporting documentation demonstrating that they meet the requirements for classification as a Texas resident.

Documentation Requirements

The following documentation may be required to determine residency status:

List A – Proof of Domicile

Submit one document from List A to support the establishment of domicile in Texas. One document from List B is also required.

  • Employer-provided employment verification, proof of self-employment, or a statement of living off earnings, with supporting bank statements (must show the student’s Texas address);
  • Ownership of real property (sole or joint ownership);
  • Marriage to a person who has established and maintained domicile in Texas;
  • Ownership of a business, in whole or in part, in Texas;
  • Written statements from one or more social service agencies.

List B – Proof of Physical Residency

Submit one document from List B to support twelve (12) consecutive months of physical presence in Texas. One document from List A is also required. Additional documentation may be required to support a claim for Texas resident status.

  • Utility bills in the individual’s name;
  • Texas high school transcript;
  • Transcript from a Texas institution of higher education;
  • Texas driver’s license or Texas identification card showing the original issuance date;
  • Texas voter registration card showing the original registration date;
  • Pay stubs;
  • Bank statements;
  • Lease agreement or rental contract for residential real property in the individual’s name.

Additional Documentation

The following documents may provide additional support to clarify domicile or physical presence in Texas:

  • Federal income tax return for the most recent tax year;
  • Visa, passport, or other relevant immigration documents;
  • Leave and Earnings Statement (LES);
  • License to conduct business in Texas.

Residency rules are pursuant to change as per the Texas Legislature and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. For the latest rules and regulations, visit the STC Board Policy FDA (Legal).