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Do I Qualify for In-State Tuition?

At Georgia Southern University, we strive to make higher education accessible and affordable for all students.

As you evaluate the total cost of attendance before financial aid, you will base your tuition on either in-state or out-of-state rates. However, due to factors like residency duration and state policies, navigating tuition costs and residency requirements can sometimes be complex.

Unsure of where you fall? We’re here to provide clarity and assistance. Explore the requirements for establishing residency in the state of Georgia and qualifying for in-state tuition, and learn more about our Border State Waiver, which provides in-state tuition rates for students from qualifying neighboring states.

Georgia Southern In-State Tuition

To see if you are eligible for Georgia Southern’s in-state tuition rates, review residency requirements for Georgia residents, border state residents and nonresidents.

In order to qualify for in-state tuition as a Georgia resident, you must demonstrate that you, your spouse, your parent or your court-appointed guardian is a legal resident of Georgia and has been for 12 months prior to your enrollment. This is established for most students when they complete their Application for Admission. But sometimes, errors are made that require further explanation or documentation.

Note: Establishing residency for tuition purposes, as defined by the Board of Regents, is different from establishing residency for voting, driver’s license, vehicle registration or tax purposes.

Review the Tuition Classification Glossary of Terms Explore Tuition Classification in the Catalog

Georgia Southern’s Border State Waiver offers eligible students from neighboring states the opportunity to pursue their undergraduate education at in-state tuition rates. To qualify for the Border State Waiver, students must meet the following criteria:

  • Enrollment in an Undergraduate Degree-Seeking Program: Students must be actively enrolled in an undergraduate degree-seeking program of study at Georgia Southern. This waiver is specifically designed to assist students in their pursuit of a bachelor’s degree.
  • Residency in Eligible States: Students must currently reside in one of the qualifying states: Alabama, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina or Tennessee. This program fosters academic collaboration and cultural exchange among students from these neighboring states.

By meeting these criteria, students can take advantage of the Border State Waiver to reduce the financial burden of out-of-state tuition fees and enjoy the benefits of attending Georgia Southern. Students are also eligible for financial aid and scholarships.

Apply for an Out-of-State Tuition Waiver

Certain non-Georgia residents may apply for a Georgia Southern out-of-state tuition waiver to receive in-state tuition rates if they meet specific requirements.

If applying for an out-of-state tuition waiver, keep in mind:

  • Waiver approval will not change the out-of-state classification to an in-state classification; the student will remain coded out of state.
  • The waivers allow an out-of-state student to receive in-state tuition rates.
  • Undergraduate students with fully online course schedules are assessed the equivalent of in-state tuition rates automatically and will not generate out-of-state rates to be removed by a waiver.
  • When registered for in-person, on-campus classes or a mixed schedule of on-campus and online courses, you will see the out-of-state tuition rate, but the waiver will deduct those out-of-state amounts. If you have questions regarding the billing structure, contact the Bursar at bursar@georgiasouthern.edu.
  • Some out-of-state tuition waivers require annual recertification of eligibility, while others do not. The waivers that do not require recertification every semester or academic year are: Georgia National Guard & U.S. Reservist Waiver, Active Duty Military Waiver, Recently Separated Military Waiver, Nonresident Student Waiver, Senior Citizen Exemption Waiver, Border State Waiver and Border County Waiver.
  • For these, once approved, the waiver will roll forward each semester as long as the student remains continuously enrolled.*

*Continuous Enrollment: Enrollment without a break of more than one traditional academic semester. A student who is not enrolled for two or more consecutive traditional academic semesters is not considered continuously enrolled.

Note: Spring and fall are considered traditional academic semesters. Summer is not considered a traditional academic semester.

Tuition Classification and Petitioning for In-State Tuition Review In-State and Out-of-State Rates

Out-of-State Tuition Waiver Process and Forms

Military Mandatory Fee-Only Waivers

Certain Georgia and non-Georgia military students may apply for a fee-only waiver given the specific conditions below:

  • Military Mandatory Fee Waiver. Students who are currently serving full time on active duty in a branch of the armed forces of the United States or serving members of the Military Reserves or National Guard (Titles 10 or 32) are eligible to request an exemption from Mandatory Fees at Georgia Southern University. If the military student is utilizing Federal Tuition Assistance (TA) or paying their own way, they can be approved to receive the waiver. Students utilizing Veterans Education benefits do not qualify for the Military Mandatory Fee Waiver.

Georgia Southern Out-of-State Tuition

With a commitment to academic excellence and a diverse campus community, Georgia Southern welcomes learners from across the country to lead, achieve and contribute to our ongoing success.

Review Out-of-State Tuition

Verification of Lawful Presence

In accordance with Board of Regents policy, all applicants who are accepted for admission or readmission to Georgia Southern must provide validation of lawful presence in the United States in order to receive in-state tuition or other state benefits. This includes Georgia residents and students receiving any out-of-state tuition waiver, such as the Presidential Waiver for academics and athletics.

Failure to confirm legal presence by the first day of classes will result in an out-of-state residency classification, and out-of-state fees will be assessed. Most students complete this process by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®). If you don’t complete a FAFSA®, you may:

  • Log into your application status check and navigate to “Upload Materials.” Choose “Lawful Presence Documentation” from the dropdown menu and then select a file to upload.
  • Complete the Verification of Lawful Presence form. Make clear and legible photocopies of at least one of the applicable materials listed (some require you to provide a certified original) and submit to the office where you submitted your Georgia Southern application.

  • Current ID or driver’s license issued by the state of Georgia after Jan. 1, 2008. Other states with acceptable driver’s licenses are: Alabama, Alaska, California, Delaware, Florida, Idaho, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont and Wisconsin. Limited term or temporary licenses are not acceptable.
  • Certified U.S. Birth Certificate showing that the student was born in the U.S. or a U.S. territory. Students may obtain a certified copy through the Health Department in the county in which they were born.
  • U.S. Certificate of Birth Abroad issued by the Department of State or a Consular Report of Birth Abroad
  • U.S. Certificate of Naturalization or U.S. Certificate of Citizenship
  • Current U.S. Passport
  • Current Military ID (service member only, not dependent). A photocopy is not acceptable. The original card can be presented in person at the office where you submitted your application.
  • Current, valid Permanent Resident Card

International students are validated for lawful presence by the Office of International Student Admissions and Programs. The student does not need to take any action.

Already Admitted?

If you have been admitted to Georgia Southern as a border state or out-of-state student and plan to enroll, you can submit a petition for in-state tuition or an out-of-state waiver. If you have questions, email residency@georgiasouthern.edu.

Complete the Petition Form