The UA Little Rock Residency Appeal process is a pathway for non-residents to establish themselves as Arkansas residents for fee purposes. It is not intended for students whose sole or primary purpose for being in the state is to enroll at UA Little Rock and who are likely to exit the state after graduation/completion. Completing a request for residency reclassification is not a guarantee that a change in residency status will be granted.
Deadlines
The deadline to submit your residency reclassification request and documentation is always the eleventh class day for Fall and Spring, and varies for Summer by term. Requests received after the deadline may be considered for the next term.
Payment Information:
Tuition and fee payments are due before the start of each semester. You are expected to pay your entire bill even if you expect an approval of your appeal. If you receive a favorable decision after the tuition due date, the out-of-state tuition will be refunded to you. There is no deferment of out-of-state tuition while awaiting a decision.
Providing False Information:
Knowingly giving erroneous information in an attempt to evade payment of out-of-state tuition may be subject to dismissal from the university.
Reclassification Deadline:
Appeals for reclassification will be denied if the documentation is not complete by the census date for the semester (11th day of class for fall/spring terms and the 5th day of class for summer terms). Take a look at the upcoming deadlines. Please allow a minimum of 2 weeks for your request to be evaluated. The results of the request will be emailed to you at the email address provided on your request form. If additional information is requested, all items must be submitted prior to the deadline.
Missed the deadline? You can reapply for a future term. Additional documentation and a new appeal form may be required for your new application term.
Proof of Eligibility:
The University Board of Trustees Policy governing ‘Student Residence Status for Tuition and Fee Purposes’ specifies that the burden of proof is on the individual seeking reclassification. All of the above must be verified with official documentation that the student:
- has established financial independence and has left the parental home
- has established in Arkansas a home of permanent nature as manifested by Good Faith Acts
- has resided in Arkansas in a bona fide domiciliary status for at least 6 consecutive months prior to the beginning of the semester for which the fees are to be paid
- has an expectation of remaining in the state beyond graduation
Reviewing Officials: Linda Czirr serves as the campus classification review officer.
Reclassification Types
Upon admission to UA Little Rock a student will be classified as one of the following for tuition purposes:
In-state: U.S. citizen or permanent resident who has lived in Arkansas for at least six (6) consecutive months before the beginning of the term for reasons other than attendance at UA Little Rock.
Out-of-state: Anyone who lives outside of Arkansas or is not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Non-Traditionally Documented
If you are from Oklahoma, Missouri, Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, or Texas, learn more about our neighboring state tuition discount before completing your request. Contiguous State
International: Anyone who is not a US citizen or permanent resident and does not qualify as a Non-Traditionally Documented Student.
Military: Any US Military active-duty, guard, reserve, and veterans who were separated under honorable conditions who have submitted proof of service for verification. Veteran Reclassification
Documents to Submit with the Residency Reclassification Request
The documents required to complete your request are based on your reason for residency reclassification. Find the section that best fits you to review your list of required documents:
- US Armed Forces – Active duty, guard, reserve, or
- Separated under honorable conditions
UA Little Rock Assistance: You are eligible to receive reclassification of your residency status to in-state according to UA Board Policy 520.7. You are also eligible for a special tuition rate, which excludes most fees associated with enrollment (Technology Lab Fees and the Nursing Lab Fee will still be assessed). This benefit does not include spouses or dependents. Military Student Admissions
Proof of Eligibility: You must submit the appeal form and a copy of one of the following documents to receive this tuition and fee rate:
- Copy of DD-214 showing character of service/ Notice of Basic Eligibility OR
- DD215 (with corrected discharge status) OR
- Copy of Military Orders assigning you to your current duty station OR
- Your current military ID (not VA card) OR
- Copy of your Service Verification Letter (available online at www.va.gov/records/download-va-letters) OR
- Copy of your NGB-22 showing character of service
- Copy of your DD256
If you are the spouse or dependent of active, guard, or reserve military, you are eligible for reclassification of your residency status to in-state. For the purpose of this policy, dependents are unmarried children who are legal dependents of the military person as defined by the IRS.
Proof of Eligibility: Please submit the appeal form and a copy of one of the following:
- Assignment order with spouse/dependent listed OR
- Assignment order without spouse/dependent listed AND previous year’s tax return documenting dependent/spouse (or marriage license for spouse of military member)
Please submit the appeal form and copies of the following 3 documents:
Proof you have physically resided in Arkansas for at least six consecutive months prior to the start of the term for which reclassification is requested (submit one of the following):
- Lease (excludes UA Little Rock Housing) with the applicant’s name listed. A university/college residence hall or a P.O. Box does not qualify as a bona fide domicile for residency purposes
- Mortgage with the applicant’s name listed. A university/college residence hall or a P.O. Box does not qualify as a bona fide domicile for residency purposes
- Deed with the applicant’s name listed. A university/college residence hall or a P.O. Box does not qualify as a bona fide domicile for residency purposes
If you are not listed on the lease, mortgage, or deed because you live with a family member, please submit this Residency Reclassification Affidavit.
AND
Proof you have established a home of a permanent nature in the state of Arkansas as manifested by “Good Faith Acts” for at least six consecutive months prior to the start of the term for which reclassification is requested (submit two of the following):
- Arkansas driver’s license or identification card
- Arkansas vehicle registration
- Arkansas voter’s registration
- Arkansas tax return (showing at least 6 months residency prior to start of classes)
- Assessment of real estate property
- Assessment of personal property
Residency is determined by UA Board policy, and you can read the full policy. For unmarried students 22 years old and under, residency classification is based on your parents/guardians’ residence. If no one claimed you on their previous year’s taxes, you may meet the qualifications for independent status. If you filed independently on your previous year’s taxes, please submit a copy of your tax return for the previous year and a copy of your parent/guardians federal tax return showing that you were not claimed as a dependent for the previous year. If your are a married student under the age of 23 please submit a copy of your marriage license/certificate.
In addition, you need to submit: Proof you have physically resided in Arkansas for at least six consecutive months prior to the start of the term for which reclassification is requested (submit one of the following):
- Lease (excludes UA Little Rock Housing) with the applicant’s name listed. A university/college residence hall or a P.O. Box does not qualify as a bona fide domicile for residency purposes
- Mortgage with the applicant’s name listed. A university/college residence hall or a P.O. Box does not qualify as a bona fide domicile for residency purposes
- Deed with the applicant’s name listed. A university/college residence hall or a P.O. Box does not qualify as a bona fide domicile for residency purposes
- If you are not listed on the lease, mortgage, or deed because you live with a family member, please submit this Residency Reclassification Affidavit.
AND
- Proof you have established a home of a permanent nature in the state of Arkansas as manifested by “Good Faith Acts” for at least six consecutive months prior to the start of the term for which reclassification is requested (submit two of the following):
- Arkansas driver’s license or identification card
- Arkansas vehicle registration
- Arkansas voter’s registration
- Arkansas tax return (showing at least 6 months residency prior to start of classes)
- Assessment of real estate property
- Assessment of personal property
If you are a University employee (half-time or greater you will be considered in-state residents for tuition and fee purposes. Similarly, the employee’s spouse, children under the age of 18, and children who are dependent upon the employee for support (as defined by the Internal Revenue Service) and are full-time students at UA Little Rock shall also be considered residents for tuition and fee purposes. You will need to submit proof of University employment. For spouse/dependents: Proof of University employment and previous year’s tax return documenting dependent/spouse.
Note: Postdoctoral fellows, resident doctors, and interns employed by the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and graduate students and graduate assistants are considered students and are not considered employees for the purpose of this policy.
Continue to Appeal Form
Under the provisions of Arkansas Code Ann. § 6-60-215 (Act 844) students who have a status other than US Citizen or Permanent Resident, you must meet the following qualifications to be eligible for the residency reclassification appeal.
You must meet 1 of these 3 requirements:
- Student has immigrated from the Republic of the Marshall Islands and has verified legal presence in the State of Arkansas. Acceptable documentation certifying citizenship/country of birth as the Republic of the Marshall Islands may include:
- Passport.
- Employment Authorization Document Card (EAD) [Federal From I-766]
- Permanent Resident Card.
- Unexpired Immigrant Visa
- Additional forms of verification may be accepted at the discretion of the institution.
- Student or parent holds a Federal Form I-766 United States Citizenship and Immigration Services issued Employment Authorization Document, known as a work permit. Required documentation includes:
- Unexpired Employment Authorization Card issued to the student.
- Unexpired Employment Authorization Card issued to the parent and documentation, such as birth certificate, verifying the parent-child relationship.
- Student has requested and been approved for an exemption under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. Exemption must be current. Required documentation includes one of the following:
- Unexpired Employment Authorization Card issued to the student.
- Form I-797, Notice of Action addressed to the student that specifies “Case Type: Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals” and “Notice Type: Approval Notice [which has not expired the two (2) year validity.]”
AND you must meet all of these requirements:
- The student must be a graduate of an Arkansas public or private high school or must have earned an Arkansas high school equivalency. Required documentation includes one of the following:
- Official high school transcript from an accredited Arkansas public or private institution indicating a graduation date and final grade point average.
- GED certificate or scores issued by the Arkansas Department of Career Education or other appropriate state agency.
- The student must have resided in Arkansas for at least three (3) years at the time of application for admission. Acceptable documentation can include but is not limited to any of the following:
- Official high school transcript from an accredited Arkansas public or private institution indicating a graduation date and final grade point average.
- Official college transcript from an Arkansas college or university, if that transcript shows residency at the school for three (3) years immediately prior to UA Little Rock admission.
- Billing/rental history indicating Arkansas residency for at least three (3) years prior to admission. Examples include but are not limited to utility bills and rental agreements.
- Documented home purchase in Arkansas by the student at least three years prior to admission.
- Driver’s license or state identification card issued in the State of Arkansas at least three (3) years prior to admission.
- Notarized letter from an employer or landlord verifying Arkansas residency status for at least three (3) years prior to admission.
- Other forms of verification may be accepted at the discretion of the institution.
Please submit the Non-Traditional Documented Immigrants Residency Re-Classification Request.
Note: If you are on a temporary visa, you will not qualify for in-state tuition and fees.
Residents of Texarkana, Texas and Bowie County, Texas will be classified as in-state students for tuition and fee purposes.
Native American people in other states belonging to the Caddo, Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek, Delaware, Kickapoo, Osage, Quapaw, Shawnee, Tunica, and Peoria tribes and whose names are on the rolls in tribal headquarters, shall be considered in-state for tuition and fee purposes.
Proof of Eligibility: Please submit a copy of your card along with the residency appeal form.