Resident and Non-Resident Tuition Policy

Students enrolling at the University of West Alabama whose permanent residence is in a state other than Alabama (with the exception of the following Service Counties in Mississippi: Clarke, Jasper, Kemper, Lauderdale, Neshoba, Newton, Noxubee, and Winston) will be considered a "non-resident student" for tuition purposes. The Office of Admissions determines a student's residency status at the time of admission. This determination is based on the application information, transcripts, and other documents required for admission and will default to "non resident" status if any out-of-state information is received. After the initial determination of a student's residency status, the status shall continue unchanged throughout their education at the University of West Alabama until and unless 1) a non-resident student provides satisfactory evidence that he or she is a resident of Alabama as defined by this policy, or 2) a student classified as a resident is absent from Alabama with the intent to become a resident in another state. Residency status is also reviewed at the time of readmission to the University after any absence of two semesters or more. At the discretion of the institution, residency status can be reviewed at any time.

A person or, if the person is a minor, the person's supporting person(s) who moves to Alabama or to the Mississippi Service Area for the primary purpose of attending college shall not be considered to have demonstrated intent to establish residence in Alabama or the Service Area and will not be considered eligible for classification as a resident student. A person or, if the person is a minor, the person's supporting person(s) who establishes residence in Alabama or the Mississippi Service Area for the sole purpose of avoiding Alabama non-resident tuition will be subject to non-resident tuition.

Non-resident students who carry a full-time academic load for the fall or spring semester will be presumed to be in Alabama or in the Mississippi Service Area for the primary purpose of attending college. These students will not be considered to have demonstrated the intent to establish residence in Alabama or the Mississippi Service Area and will remain subject to non-resident tuition.

The University of West Alabama’s residency policies for tuition purposes are governed by Alabama Code 16-64.

Residency Application Process

Students who wish to apply for reclassification of residency status must do so by submitting the Application for Residency Reclassification with the required forms of identification to the Registrar’s Office. Email registrar@uwa.edu or call 205-652-3587 for questions regarding the process.