Residency Determination

The determination of residency classification for tuition purposes in the DCCCD is governed by statutes enacted by the Texas Legislature and regulations developed by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. It is the responsibility of the Admissions Office to determine residency classification based on the information that is submitted on the admissions application.

The general residency classification is as follows:

• Dallas County (In-District): A person who has been granted Texas residency status who resides in Dallas County on or before the census date of the term the student is enrolled.
• Out-of-District: A Texas resident who does not reside in Dallas County on or before census date during the semester(s) student is enrolled.
• Out-of-State: A U.S. citizen or a non-U.S. citizen with the ability to domicile in the U.S. who has not lived in Texas for the past 12 months or met the requirements to domicile.
• Out-of-Country: A non-U.S. citizen who has not been granted permanent resident status or an individual that has been issued a visa that does not allow domicile in the U.S.

Establishing Texas Residency

The following information is subject to change at any time due to changes in rules and regulations:

Many factors affect residency status. Individuals who graduated from a public or accredited private high school in this state or, as an alternative to high school graduation, received the equivalent of a high school diploma in this state, including the successful completion of a nontraditional secondary education, and maintained a residence continuously in this state for the thirty-six months immediately preceding the date of graduation or receipt of the diploma equivalent, as applicable; and the 12 months preceding the census date of the academic semester in which the person enrolls in an institution are eligible to pay in-state tuition.

Independent applicants (not claimed as a dependent for income tax purposes) who have resided in the state and have been gainfully employed for not less than 12 consecutive months immediately preceding the time of enrollment are classified as residents, unless they are in the state primarily for the purpose of attending an educational institution.

A dependent applicant whose parent established domicile in Texas not less than 12 months before the census date of the academic semester in which the person enrolls in an institution; and maintained domicile continuously in the state for the 12 months immediately preceding the census date of the academic semester in which the person enrolls is eligible to pay in-state tuition. A domicile is a person's principal, permanent residence to which the person intends to return after any temporary absence.

All applicants who claim in-state residency status MUST supply documentation which proves domicile in Texas for not less than 12 months before the census date for the term of enrollment. The applicant has the burden of proof to show by clear and convincing evidence that residence or domicile, as appropriate, has been established and maintained.

An individual whose initial purpose for moving to Texas is to attend an institution of higher education as a full-time student will be presumed not to have the required intent to make Texas his or her domicile; however, the presumption may be overruled by clear and convincing evidence. An individual shall not ordinarily be able to establish domicile by performing acts which are directly related to fulfilling educational objectives or are required or routinely performed by temporary residents of the State.

Dallas County Residency

Dallas County residency cannot be determined until Texas residency status is established. The in-county residency is based upon where the individual physically resides.

Reclassification

If an applicant wishes to be reclassified, they must contact the Eastfield Admissions Office. The Admissions Office reserves the right to request additional information in order to comply with the State of Texas residency requirements. The Admissions Office will make residency changes only when sufficient documentation is submitted.