To be considered a resident for the purpose of tuition, a person must be either (1) a financially independent student who has had a domicile in the state of Washington for a period of one year immediately prior to the commencement of the quarter for which the student has registered and has established a bona fide domicile for purposes other than educational; or (2) a dependent student whose parent(s) or legal guardian(s) has maintained a domicile in the state of Washington for at least one year prior to commencement of the quarter for which the student has registered. A nonresident student enrolled for more than six credit hours per quarter shall be considered as attending primarily for educational purposes. Such period of enrollment shall not be counted toward the establishment of domicile in this state unless the student proves domicile was established for purposes other than educational.
United States citizens or INS permanent residents who do not live in Washington State qualify for a waiver of part of the nonresident tuition.
Students who are not permanent residents or citizens of the United States but who have met both of the following conditions may qualify for resident status: have earned a high school diploma, GED, or diploma equivalent before the first term at the college AND have maintained a primary residence in Washington State for at least 12 consecutive months immediately before the first term at the college. Students who meet these criteria and have applied for admission must submit a signed WA Higher Education Residency Affidavit.
Once a student has been classified as resident or nonresident and registered, the classification will remain unchanged until satisfactory evidence showing cause for change is presented in writing. The conditions listed below, which typically must be accomplished one year prior to classification as a resident, may be required evidence of having become a Washington resident.
• Permanent full-time or part-time employment in the state of Washington.
• Purchase of property in the state of Washington.
• Registration of all vehicles in the state of Washington.
• Registration to vote in the state of Washington.
• Valid Washington State driver’s license.
• Rent receipts from an apartment or home in the state of Washington.
• Establishment of bank accounts in the state of Washington.
To request a form to petition for a change in residency status, email admissions@bigbend.edu. Detailed instructions are provided on the form. Completed and signed forms and related documentation must be submitted before the fifth day of the quarter if the change is to take effect for that quarter.