Residency

Residency for Tuition Purposes:

All students are welcome at Renton Technical College (RTC) regardless of residency status. RTC follows the residency policies applied throughout Washington’s colleges and universities set by the Washington legislature.

In Washington state, both U.S. citizens and non-citizens can qualify for residency for tuition and financial aid purposes by meeting residency criteria.

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What is Washington Residency for Tuition Purposes?

RTC has different tuition rates for state residents and non-residents. State law sets the rules governing who qualifies as a resident for tuition-paying purposes. Students must meet these requirements to be verified as residents for tuition purposes.

Students who are Washington residents:

• Pay resident (in-state) tuition and fees at all public colleges and universities
• Are eligible for state financial aid at participating institutions

In Washington, the state uses residency requirements for tuition at public colleges and state financial aid programs. There are several ways to meet residency requirements. Students’ residency options depend on their citizenship or immigration status. To be considered for resident tuition and state aid, students must be U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, or non-citizens with a qualifying immigration status.

Students must meet residency requirements to qualify for resident (in-state) tuition and fees at public colleges. Resident tuition is typically less expensive than out-of-state rates. A student’s residency is determined at admission. Students who are admitted as nonresidents, but think they meet student residency requirements, can apply for resident tuition via the residency reclassification process.

Both U.S. citizens and non-citizens can be Washington residents, including undocumented students. In most cases, a Washington resident is someone who lives in the state for one year immediately prior to starting their college or program.

But there are other ways to be a resident. The state has rules for how people such as tribal members, military veterans, service members, and their families can qualify residency for tuition purposes.

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How and when is your residency status determined?

If you applied through the Online Admissions Application Portal, your initial residency classification is based on your responses to the citizenship and residency questions on the admissions application.

If you are in the following transitional study programs, you are not asked the Residency Supplemental questions at the point of Admissions.

• English as a Second Language (ELL)
• Running Start
• College and Career Pathways (CCP)

If you are no longer in the programs above, you will need to follow the reapplication process prior to your residency being reclassified.

Tuition at Renton Technical College is calculated based on your residency status.

If you believe you are a Washington State resident but based on the information submitted on your admissions application, you were determined to be an out-of-state resident, you need to complete the Washington Residence Questionnaire Process. See the Questionnaire information tab for more information and the application process.

If you believe you are a Washington State resident but based on the information submitted on your admissions application, you were determined to be an Undetermined, you need to complete the Undetermined Application process. See the Undetermined Residency information tab for more information and the application process.

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Residency Reclassification Forms:

There are three ways a student may qualify to apply for residency reclassification for tuition purposes. Select the information tab for additional information about requirements and how to apply. Each form has its own requirements. You should file the application that best fits your circumstances.

Option 1: If you are classified as Undetermined, complete one of the two forms to initiate reclassification:

• Residency Affidavit – for students who have a high school diploma (or equivalent) and have maintained a primary residence, for purposes other than post-secondary education, in Washington for at least one year prior to starting at RTC (Please refer to Affidavit of Residency Page to learn if you qualify).
• Undetermined Residency Reclassification – If you are classified as Undetermined and do not meet the Residency Affidavit requirements, you will be asked to complete this form. You will need to submit the supportive documentation as part of this process.

Option 2: If you are classified as Out-of-State, if you have been classified as Out-of-State and your residency status has changed OR believe the Out-of-State coding is inaccurate, complete the following application:

• Residence Questionnaire: Financially Dependent Students – for financially dependent students with a parent who has met Washington residency requirements.
• Residence Questionnaire: Financially Independent Students – for financially independent students who have met Washington residency requirements.

Do you have a tribal affiliation? Click here.

Are you military personnel or a dependent? Click here.

Disclaimer: All reclassifications will be accepted up to the 30th calendar day of the quarter. If all documentation required has not been submitted by the 30th calendar day, that request will be considered for the following quarter. Submitting documentation and any supporting information does not guarantee residency for tuition purposes. Residency is not retroactive and cannot be redetermined for a previous quarter. Residency does not automatically update, once a student has lived in WA for 12 months; students must submit the needed documents and request the update on their account. Residency Officers may ask for additional documentation or information to clarify residency status.

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Residency Policies

Residency policies are set by the Washington legislature and applied uniformly throughout Washington’s colleges and universities. For more details regarding residence classification, please review the various pages of our website, and reference the following links to read the relevant Revised Code of Washington, Washington Administrative Code, and the Washington Student Achievement Council.

State Statute – RCW 28B.15.011-RCW 28B.15.015
State Rules and Regulations – WAC 250-18-010 – WAC 250-18-060
WSAC Student Residency

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Other Resources

• Student Forms Library
• Recent High School Graduates
• Residency Appeal
• Residents Absent from State