A student who was originally classified as a nonresident may be eligible for reclassification to in-state status after meeting the requirements outlined by the Montana University System (MUS). For independent students, residency decisions are based solely on the student’s own legal and financial ties to Montana.

Note: A married student must apply as an independent and is not considered a dependent of their spouse.

To qualify, the student must demonstrate that they are at least 51% financially self-supporting and that they have maintained a bona fide Montana domicile for 12 continuous months. The 12-month residency period begins once the student has taken steps to establish legal ties to Montana, such as obtaining a Montana driver’s license or ID, registering to vote in Montana, and registering their vehicle in the state. These steps must be completed on or before the 15th class day of the semester in which the 12-month period begins.

Any period during which the student retains legal ties to another state or country, such as an out-of-state driver’s license, voter registration, vehicle registration, or tax filings, will not count toward the 12-month requirement and may be considered an interruption.

A student should submit their petition after the qualifying 12-month period has passed and once sufficient supporting documentation has been gathered. The petition must clearly demonstrate the student’s intent to make Montana their permanent and indefinite home, rather than a temporary residence for educational purposes.

The petition is not considered complete until all required documentation has been received. Exceptions to these requirements must be submitted in writing and will be reviewed by the Registrar’s Office Residency Committee.

Note: Students applying as dependents (i.e., based on a parent’(s) or legal guardian’(s) Montana residency) should refer to the Dependent Student Reclassification guidelines, as different criteria apply.

Documentation & Deadlines

The Residency Questionnaire, provided by the Board of Regents, must be completed and signed by the student.

The student must submit a copy of their Montana driver’s license or state-issued identification card.

If any individual currently holds a license or ID from another state, they must obtain a Montana-issued license or ID prior to the start of the required 12‑month residency petition period to sever that legal tie.

Submitted documentation must clearly display the current issue date and, if applicable, the original issue date.

Montana driver’s licenses and identification cards can be obtained through the local Montana Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) office.

The student must submit a copy of their Montana Certificate of Voter Registration showing the issue date. If any individual is registered to vote in another state, they must register to vote in Montana prior to the start of the required 12‑month residency petition period to sever that legal tie.

Certificates of Voter Registration, which do show the issue date, may be obtained from your local Voter Registration or County Election Office.

Proof of voter registration may also be verified at www.voteref.com; however, not all states are included in VoteRef’s database, and availability may vary.

Voter registration cards DO NOT display the issue date.

If the student operates a vehicle in Montana, they must provide a copy of their Montana vehicle registration. A vehicle registered in another state but operated in Montana must be registered in Montana before the start of the required 12‑month residency petition period to establish Montana residency and sever legal ties to the previous state.

Montana vehicle registrations are issued through local County Treasurer’s Offices, which handle vehicle titling and registration. Most offices provide in‑person services, and many also offer online registration and renewal through the Montana Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) Online Services.

The student must submit copies of their most recent pay stub(s) from all jobs held during the current year, showing year‑to‑date gross earnings.

The student must submit their most recent Montana resident state tax return.

All required Montana resident tax returns must be filed for any taxable income earned during the period in which residency is claimed.

If you have difficulty obtaining tax return documentation, contact the Montana Department of Revenue at (406) 444‑6900 for assistance.

If the student is under 24 years of age and/or was claimed as a dependent on a parent’s or legal guardian’s most recent tax return, all parents or legal guardian are required to sign this form in the presence of a notary.

If the student has applied for financial aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), they must provide documentation showing the awards and amounts accepted for the academic year.

This information can be accessed by selecting the link located at the bottom of the award page in MyInfo. Students who are unable to locate this link should contact the Registrar’s Office for assistance.

If the student relocated to Montana primarily for full‑time, permanent employment prior to their application to MSU, the student may qualify for residency reclassification.

If applicable, this documentation must be submitted along with the Employment Affidavit. Acceptable documentation may include a letter from the employer confirming the relocation or transfer to Montana.

Please note that self‑employment does not qualify for this consideration.

If applicable, submit documentation verifying home ownership in Montana (e.g., a property deed or property tax statement).

  • A student who registers for more than 7 credit hours in any semester during the 12‑month residency establishment period is presumed to be in Montana for educational purposes.  
  • A student who is absent from the state for more than 30 total days during the 12‑month residency establishment period is also presumed to be in Montana primarily for educational purposes.
  • A student who accepts an Academic Achievement Award or a Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) Scholarship during the 12‑month residency establishment period is presumed to be in Montana for educational purposes.

This information is provided for informational purposes only. Final residency determinations are made in accordance with the Board of Regents’ Residency Policy and the Montana University System’s Guide to Montana Residency Policy.

Appeals Process 

If a student is denied in-state status, they may appeal the decision to the Montana State University–Bozeman campus residency committee within 14 calendar days of receiving the committee’s decision. If the campus appeal is denied, the student may submit a second appeal to the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education, also within 14 calendar days of the campus committee’s decision.

The appeal may include a letter and any additional written materials the student wishes to submit. All materials should be provided to Veronica Jordan at [email protected], who will compile and forward the complete appeal packet to the appropriate committee.

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) protects the privacy of all education records maintained by Montana State University, regardless of format. Although enacted in 1974, FERPA’s protections extend beyond paper records to include electronic and digital formats. All student education records, including those stored in university databases, are covered under this federal law.

FERPA applies to the residency petition process. Residency-related documents and decisions are part of the student’s protected education record; therefore, university staff cannot discuss a student’s residency status, petition, or appeal with parents, guardians, or any other individuals without the student’s consent.

Additionally, Montana State Lawprovides further privacy protections and is generally more restrictive regarding the release of information about dependent students to parents or legal guardians.