Nebraska Residency Requirements for Tuition Purposes

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A person may be considered a “resident” of Nebraska and still be a “non-resident” for tuition purposes.

Qualifying for residency for tuition purposes at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) differs from what is normally required to be considered a “resident” of the state of Nebraska.

The Office of Graduate Studies makes an initial residency determination based on information provided by the student at the time of application.

Those who may not qualify for resident status include:

Did not graduate from a Nebraska high school,
Have not established a home in Nebraska for a minimum of 12 months prior to the term or semester for which residency is sought
Have been enrolled at any Nebraska institution for more than half-time status prior to the term or semester for which residency is sought
Recent arrivals to Nebraska
Moving to Nebraska primarily to enroll in a post-secondary institution
Enrolling in more than half-time status (per semester/term) in a post-secondary educational institution in Nebraska prior to the term for which residence classification is sought
Not holding U.S. Citizenship, a Permanent Resident, Asylee, or Refugee status as classified by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

Therefore, when first applying for admission, all students may be considered non-residents until evidence is shown that all requirements for resident tuition have been met. A change in resident status for tuition purposes is not granted automatically.

The university reserves the right to question and/or request a residency application and supporting documentation from any individual who wishes to be considered for resident tuition status.

Apply for Residency

Students who have been classified as a non-resident must apply for residence classification and submit all applicable supporting documentation before resident status for tuition purposes can be determined.

To apply for Nebraska residency for tuition purposes, complete and submit the Electronic Application Form with all required documentation prior to the term deadline. You will want to have all applicable supporting documentation available for upload within your application (see detailed tables below). Merely changing residence/address information on any other University form will not change your resident status for tuition purposes. Residency can only be approved for a future or current term prior to that term's deadline. Applications cannot be backdated for past terms.

Term	Deadline
Fall	October 1
Spring	March 1
Summer	July 1

Non-U.S. Citizens

Students who have been granted U.S. permanent resident, asylee, or refugee status are eligible to apply for residency under Category E. If you are an H-1B visa holder (or the spouse/dependent of an H-1B visa holder) who was recruited (or transferred) to Nebraska for full-time employment, you may be eligible to apply for residency under Category K.

Nebraska state legislature passed a law that grants resident tuition to Nebraska high school graduates who do not hold official U.S. status and meet certain requirements. Learn more about the Affidavit for Nebraska Residency for Tuition Purposes.

Residency Appeals

Individuals who believe they have been incorrectly denied residency for tuition purposes may submit a letter of appeal along with any additional documentation to the Residency representative at the institution at which they applied for residency.

Once enrolled as a resident student, dependents whose parent, guardian, or spouse then moves from the state shall not lose their resident status if they are continuously enrolled in the University system.

More Information can be found in the Graduate Catalog

Don't Qualify for In-State Residency?

UNO offers a variety of opportunities for graduate students to afford their education. Review your options, including:

Non-Resident Nebraska Income Tax Tuition Credit
Omaha Urban Rate (OUR) Tuition

Residency Categories and Documentation

Residency Categories

Category	Documentation
A. Legal Age Resident or Emancipated Minor: An individual who has established a home in NE where they are habitually present and shall verify with documentation the intention to make NE their permanent place of residence.	Documentation I: Proof of an established home in NE for at least 12 months prior to term for which residency is sought in applicant's name. Documentation II: Three (3) supporting documents in applicant's name. Additional Documentation: If emancipated minor: A copy of parent's/guardian's most recent Federal Income Tax Return (deduction page only) as proof that applicant is not a dependent. Does not need to be filed in NE.
B. Dependent Minor (less than 19 yrs. of age): A minor whose parent/guardian has established a home in NE where they are habitually present with the bona fide intention of making NE their permanent place of residence.	Documentation I: Proof of current established home in NE in parent'(s)/guardian'(s) name. Documentation II: Three (3) supporting documents in parent'(s)/guardian'(s) name. Additional Documentation: Copy of parent'(s)/guardian'(s) most recent Federal Income Tax Return (deduction page only) showing the applicant is a dependent. Does not need to be filed in NE.
C. Legal Age Dependent (19 – 24 yrs. of age): A person of legal age who has established a home in NE and is a dependent for Federal Income Tax purposes of a parent/guardian who has established a home in NE.	Documentation I: Proof of current established home in NE in parent'(s)/guardian'(s) name. Documentation II: Three (3) supporting documents in BOTH parent'(s)/guardian'(s) AND applicant's name. Each document will only count as one if provided by both parent'(s)/guardian'(s). Additional Documentation: Copy of parent'(s)/guardian'(s) most recent Federal Income Tax Return (deduction page only) showing the applicant is a dependent. Does not need to be filed in NE.
D. Married to a Nebraska Resident: An individual who has married a resident of NE. Resident shall be required to verify residency prior to the marriage.	Documentation I: Proof of an established home in NE prior to date of marriage in Nebraska Resident's name. Documentation II: Three (3) supporting documents in Nebraska resident's name. Additional Documentation: Official marriage license or certificate (not decorative, commemorative copy).
E. Permanent Resident, Asylee or Refugee: An individual who has become a permanent resident of the United States or has been granted Asylee or Refugee status.	Documentation I: Proof of an established home in NE for at least 12 months prior to term for which residency is sought in applicant's name. Documentation II: Three (3) supporting documents in applicant's name. Additional Documentation: Permanent Resident provide I-551; Asylee or Refugee Status provide I-94.
F. University/State College/NE Community College Employee or Dependent/Spouse: At least .5 FTE staff member or dependent/spouse of staff member, of the University of NE, a NE state college, or NE community college.	Documentation I: Not Required Documentation II: Not Required Additional Documentation: Letter from Human Resources verifying employment date, permanent status, and minimum 0.5 FTE. If dependent: most recent Federal Income Tax Return (deduction page only) showing the applicant is a dependent. Does not need to be filed in NE. If qualifying by spouse: official marriage license or certificate (not decorative, commemorative copy).
G. Active Duty Military or NE National Guard or Foreign Service Member, or Dependent/Spouse of Such: An individual on active duty with the armed services of the United States of America or active foreign service member who has been assigned a permanent duty station in Nebraska or shows Nebraska as Home of Record, or a dependent or spouse of such an individual.	Documentation I: Not Required Documentation II: Not Required Additional Documentation: Documentation (orders) from military personnel office indicating active duty with a permanent duty station in NE or NE as Home of Record, or from the foreign service office indicating active duty with a permanent duty station in Nebraska or showing Nebraska as Home of Record. If dependent: most recent Federal Income Tax Return (deduction page only) showing the applicant is a dependent. If qualifying by spouse: official marriage license or certificate (not decorative, commemorative copy).
H. Nebraska High School Graduate/Nebraska Dream Act: A person who is a graduate of a Nebraska high school and who meets the requirements of Nebraska law found in Neb. Rev. Stat. §85-502(8).	Documentation I: Proof of current established home in NE in applicant's name. Documentation II: Three (3) supporting documents in applicant's name. Additional Documentation: Nebraska high school transcript or copy of diploma.
I. Former University/State College Resident Student: An individual who has been enrolled at one of the University of NE or NE state colleges, as a resident for tuition purposes, and reenrolls within two years of the last date of enrollment.	Documentation I: Proof of current established home in NE in applicant's name. Documentation II: Three (3) supporting documents in applicant's name. Additional Documentation: Statement from NU Campus or State College indicating resident classification during attendance.
J. Native American: An individual not residing in NE who is a member of a Native American tribe that is indigenous to or has historically migrated to/from NE.	Documentation I: Not Required Documentation II: Not Required Additional Documentation: Documentation attesting to affiliation with qualifying tribe. Tribal Enrollment card, Bureau of Indian Affairs document, Tribal Membership card, Certificate of Bloodline, etc. Qualifying tribes: Arapaho, Arikara, Cheyenne, Comanche, Crow, Dakota Sioux, Dhegihan, Hidatsa, Iowa, Jicarilla Apache, Kansa, Kickapoo, Kiowa, Lakota, Lakota Sioux, Mandan, Missouria, Nakota Sioux, Northern Cheyenne, Omaha, Osage, Otoe, Pawnee, Ponca, Potawatomie, Quapaw, Sac and Fox, Santee Sioux, Southern Cheyenne, Winnebago.
K. Recruited or Transferred Employee or Dependent/Spouse: Individuals who, because of special talents and skills, were recruited/transferred for full-time employment by a business entity or a dependent/spouse.	Documentation I: Proof of current established home in NE in employee's name. Documentation II: Three (3) supporting documents in employee's name. Additional Documentation: Letter from employer on company letterhead. Must include "recruited" or "transferred," date of employment, and permanent full-time employment status. If dependent: most recent Federal Income Tax Return (deduction page only) showing the applicant is a dependent. Does not need to be filed in NE. If qualifying by spouse: official marriage license or certificate (not decorative, commemorative copy).
L. Nebraska High School Graduate Veteran: A person who has served with the military who has been honorably discharged, is a graduate of a NE high school, and has established a home in NE with the intent to make NE a permanent residence.	Documentation I: Proof of current established home in NE in applicant's name. Documentation II: Three (3) supporting documents in applicant's name. Additional Documentation: Nebraska high school transcript or copy of diploma.
M. Military Veteran or Dependent/Spouse: A person who has served in the military and, has been off active duty, or a dependent/spouse of such veteran, if the person is registered to vote in NE and demonstrates objective evidence of intent to be a resident of NE.	Documentation I: Not Required Documentation II: Not Required Additional Documentation: Veteran's DD 214 – Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty Military. If qualifying as dependent: most recent Federal Income Tax Return (deduction page only) showing the applicant is a dependent and any one (1) of the following (3) items in dependent's name: Nebraska driver's license, Nebraska ID card, or Nebraska vehicle registration (pink slip). If qualifying as spouse: official marriage license or certificate (not decorative, commemorative copy) and any one (1) of the following (3) items in spouse's name: Nebraska driver's license, Nebraska ID card, or Nebraska vehicle registration (pink slip). Documentation needed for Veteran: Veteran's voter registration card and any one (1) of the following (3) items in veteran's name: Nebraska driver's license, Nebraska ID card, or Nebraska vehicle registration (pink slip).
N. Nebraska National Guard: A person currently serving in the Nebraska National Guard.	Documentation I: Not Required Documentation II: Not Required Additional Documentation: Provide official documentation (orders) from the military personnel office indicating service in the Nebraska National Guard.
O. National Service Educational Award/AmeriCorps: A person who is qualified for a national service educational award or summer of service award from the National Service Trust of the United States.	Documentation I: Not Required Documentation II: Not Required Additional Documentation: Provide official documentation (certification of service letter) from the National Service Trust or AmeriCorps.

Residency Documentation

Refer to the instruction for each residence category and provide the requested documentation as indicated. The University reserves the right to request additional documentation to support the residency application.

Documentation I Submit one (1) or a combination of the following to meet the 12-month requirement: Current lease or rental agreement Cancelled checks or proof of payment issued to landlord, mortgage company, or leasing company (Category A and E need individual checks for each of 12 months) Signed and dated document verifying Nebraska home ownership, e.g., Warranty Deed, Closing Statement, Real Estate Transfer Statement, Deed of Trust, or Settlement Statement Notarized Landlord Verification Letter, which must include the following: name of tenant, address of residence, and timeframe of residency at this establishment	Documentation II Submit any three (3) of the following: Current Nebraska driver’s license or Nebraska State ID card Nebraska Voter Registration card Checking or credit card account statement with name of institution and name and address of applicant (2-3 months of NE transactions). Nebraska vehicle registration (pink slip) Current pay statement verifying Nebraska taxes withheld Nebraska state income tax return W-2 indicating Nebraska taxes withheld No Utility Bills are accepted	Additional Documentation Submit the required document(s) per your category: Copy of official marriage certificate. (NOT decorative, commemorative copy) Copy of most recent federal tax return, signed and dated Copy of military orders stating current active duty or Home of Record in Nebraska. Copy of DD 214 form, discharge from active-duty military. (Within last three years.) Original employer letter on company letterhead. (Must include “recruited” or “transferred”, date of employment and permanent full-time employment status.) Copy of Permanent Resident, Asylee, or Refugee status verification Official Nebraska high school transcript. (Faxed, scanned, or hand carried copies are not acceptable.) Statement from a Nebraska state university or state college verifying resident status during attendance. (Must be readmitted and enrolled within 2 years.) Copy of tribal verification. (Tribal Enrollment card, Bureau of Indian Affairs document, Tribal Membership card, Certificate of Bloodline, etc.)