Undetermined Residency

Why was your residency coded as undetermined?

There are two main reasons why your residency could be classified as undetermined:

  1. If you applied or reapplied online through the Online Admissions Application Portal, and the system is unable to determine if you are an In-State or Out-of- State resident, the system will default your classification to Undetermined.
  2. Contradicting information was found on your student records.

Undetermined Residency status charges Non-resident tuition and it is recommended you reclassify.

If you are in the following programs, you are not asked the Residency 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.

How do I reclassify my residency status when my status is Undetermined?

If you are classified as Undetermined, complete one of the two forms to initiate reclassification, this is only if you have previously answered the residency questions at the point of admissions:

  • Residency Affidavit – for students who have a high school diploma (or equivalent) and have maintained a primary residence, for purposes other than postsecondary 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.

Application Process/How to Return the Form:

  1. Complete the required documentation
    • If you complete the Undetermined Residency Reclassification form, you need to submit the supporting documentation
  2. Return the forms. Forms can be returned:
    1. In person at the Enrollment Services Desk in Building I or;
    2. Uploaded to Residency on ctcLink (please notify residency@rtc.edu if you upload) or;
    3. Emailed from your RTC student email to: residency@rtc.edu.

RTC recommends that documents are submitted in person at the Enrollment Services desk OR uploaded to ctcLink.

Incomplete Applications

Residency applications submitted without all required documentation and/or missing information are considered incomplete.

Incomplete applications will be placed on hold and students will be notified via preferred email in ctcLink. Students have 10 business days from the notification of the hold to submit the missing information and/or required documentation before their reclassification is denied.

If reclassification is denied, students are required to resubmit forms and supporting documentation by appropriate quarter deadlines for reclassification.

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.