Residency Waivers & Tuition Classification

University System of Georgia students are responsible for registering under the appropriate tuition classification. Students classified as out of state for tuition purposes and who believe they are entitled to be classified as in state for tuition purposes may petition the institution for a change of status. There is a difference in the amount of fees charged for in-state and out-of-state students. The tuition paid by an in-state student covers only about 25% of the total cost of the student's education in the University System. The taxpayers of Georgia contribute a substantial portion of the remaining costs through the state income tax.

Students are classified as residents or non-residents based on the application for admission. Any information indicating ties to another state (out-of-state address, out-of-state school, out-of-state driver's license, etc.) will result in an out-of-state classification. As a state-supported institution, Savannah State University requires students to submit documented proof of residency in order to qualify for in-state tuition. Residency classification guidelines are set by the University System of Georgia and can be found here.

The information provided on this page is not all-inclusive, but is meant to provide a guide to assist students wishing to be reclassified. There is no set formula or supporting documents that guarantee a residency reclassification. The tuition classification officer review each petition individually and assesses which supporting documents are needed based on each student's unique circumstance. No classification changes will be made without supporting documentation.

Petition for Classification as Georgia Resident for Tuition Purposes at SSU

A petition should be submitted by students who have been notified by the institution that they have been classified as out of state for tuition purposes. The petition may be submitted by students wishing to provide additional documentation as evidence that domicile has been established and maintained in Georgia for 12 continuous months immediately preceding the first day of classes to be considered for possible reclassification. Students may petition as an independent or dependent person based on the following criteria:

An independent student who moved to Georgia may petition if he/she:

1. Moved to the state for reasons other than attending a post-secondary educational institution;
2. Abandoned all ties to the previous state or country of residence;
3. Receives no financial assistance from outside of Georgia;
4. Is not claimed as a dependent on the taxes of someone who resides outside of Georgia;
5. Is contributing to the state by paying income taxes; and
6. Is a U.S. citizen, Lawful Permanent Resident, refugee, asleep, or other eligible non-citizen as defined by federal Title IV regulations.

A dependent student whose parent or U.S. court-appointed legal guardian moved to Georgia may petition if his/her parent(s) or guardian(s):

1. Moved to the state for reasons other than attending a post-secondary educational institution;
2. Abandoned all ties to the previous state or country of residence;
3. Receives no financial assistance from outside of Georgia;
4. Is contributing to the state by paying taxes; and
5. Is a U.S. citizen, Lawful Permanent Resident, refugee, asleep, or other eligible non-citizen as defined by federal Title IV regulations.

There is no set formula or supporting documents that guarantee a residency reclassification. The tuition classification officer review each petition individually and assesses which supporting documents are needed based on each student's unique circumstance. The following are the four most frequently requested supporting documents:

1. A copy of the student's Georgia driver's license issued on or after January 1, 2008, or a current US Passport.
2. A copy of valid vehicle registration for the State of Georgia.
3. A copy of the most recent state income tax return (GA 500).
   • Dependent students will be required to provide their parent or U.S. court-appointed legal guardian's GA 500; Independent students will be required to provide their own GA 500.
   • If taxes are hand-written, a certified copy will be required. A certified copy may be obtained by contacting the Georgia Department of Revenue. https://dor.georgia.gov/ or 1-877-423-6711 / (404) 417-6760)
4. A copy of a current lease or deed to a home or residence in Georgia.
   • Dependent students will be required to provide their parent's lease or deed and a copy of their birth certificate or legal guardianship paperwork to link the student to the parent or legal guardian.
   • Independent students will be required to provide a copy of their lease or deed.

We strongly encourage submitting the above documents with the petition. Each petitioner must provide enough documentation to prove continuous domicile in the state for the past 12 months. Therefore, the tuition classification officer may require the student to turn in additional supporting documents based on the information provided through the student's admissions application and petition.

Some students not eligible to be classified as in state for tuition purposes may be eligible for an out-of-state tuition waiver. For more information on the available out-of-state tuition waivers, students should review Section 7.3.4.1,

USG Petitions & Waivers

Petition For In State Classification

1. Petition For In-state Classification Students who have been classified as out-of-state for tuition purposes who believe that the submission of additional information could alter that decision, may submit this petition and supporting documentation to request to be considered for reclassification. This petition should only be submitted by students who have been notified that they have been classified as out-of-state for tuition purposes. Deadline for petitioning for Georgia residency is by the end of the 5th week of the semester for fall and spring and by the end of the 2nd week of the summer term.

           Tuition Petition Application

Waivers available at Savannah State University include, but are not limited to:

1. Economic Advantage Waiver
   Dependent or independent students who can provide clear evidence that they have relocated to the state of Georgia to accept full-time, self-sustaining employment and have established domicile in the state of Georgia are eligible for this wavier. Relocation to the state must be for reasons other than enrolling in an institution of higher education.
   Economic Advantage Waiver
2. Career Consular Waiver
   Career consular officers, their spouses, and their dependent children who are citizens of the foreign nation that their consular office represents and who are stationed and living in Georgia under orders of their respective governments.
   Career Consular Waiver
3. Non-Resident Waiver
   Dependent students whose parents or U.S. court-appointed legal guardian has maintained domicile in Georgia for 12 consecutive months immediately preceding the first day of classes for the term are eligible for this waiver.
   Independent students whose spouse has maintained domicile in Georgia for at least 12 consecutive months immediately preceding the first day of classes for the term are eligible for this waiver.
   Non-Resident Waiver
4. Military Personnel Waiver
   Military personnel, their spouses, and their dependent children stationed in or assigned to Georgia and on active duty are eligible for this waiver.
   Military Personnel Waiver
5. Recently Separated Military Personnel Waiver
   Any member of a uniformed military service in the U.S. who, within 36 months of separation from such service, enrolls in an academic program and demonstrates intent to become domiciled in Georgia is eligible for this waiver. This waiver may also be granted to spouses and/or dependent children.
   Recently Separated Military Waiver
6. Georgia National Guard and U.S. Military Reservists Waiver
   Students who are active members of the Georgia National Guard (GNG), students who are stationed or assigned to Georgia by their National Guard, or students who are active members of a unit of the U.S. Military Reserves based in Georgia are eligible for this waiver. Spouses and dependent children of the qualifying GNG member are also eligible for this waiver.
   GA Guard / US Reservists Waiver
7. University System of Georgia Employee Waiver
   Full-time employees of the University System of Georgia, their spouses, and their dependent children are eligible for this waiver.
   USG Employees Waiver
8. Full-Time Employees in Public Schools of GA or the Technical College System Waiver
   Full-time employees in the public schools of Georgia or in the Technical College System of Georgia, their spouses, and their dependent children are eligible for this waiver.
   Public School & TCSG Employees Waiver
9. Teachers Employed Full-Time on Military Bases Waiver
   Teachers employed full-time on military bases in Georgia qualify for this waiver.
   Teachers on Military Base Waiver
10. Border State Waiver
    Students who reside in the state of Alabama, Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina and Tennessee are eligible for this waiver. (This waiver is for students pursuing an undergraduate degree)
    Border State Waiver
11. Border County Waiver
    Students domiciled in an out-of-state county bordering Georgia, enrolling in a program offered at a location approved by the Board of Regents and for which the offering institution has been granted permission to award the waiver.
    Border County Waiver
12. Presidential Waiver
    According to Board of Regents policy we are allowed to award a limited number of waivers. (This waiver is for students pursing an undergraduate degree)
    Out of State Waiver
13. Tiger 62 Waiver
    Georgia residents who are aged 62 and older may be eligible to take courses on a space available basis at little or no cost.
    Tiger 62 Waiver

Please note:

1. All required supporting documents are listed on each waiver and must be present in order to be considered for the waiver.
2. Approval of a waiver does not change the student's classification status to in state; it only waives the cost of out-of-state tuition.
3. In addition to submitting the required documents, all students must show proof of lawful presence in order to receive a waiver.
4. Waivers will post approximately one month prior to the start of the term (late July for fall term, early January for spring term, and late April for summer term).

ssuwaiver@savannahstate.edu
Tuition Classification Officer
3219 College Street
Box 20209
Savannah, GA 31404

The process of reclassification takes approximately 3-4 weeks. Once the documentation has been received and reviewed by the tuition classification officer, the status of the petition/waiver will be communicated via email.

FAQ - SSU Residency Waivers and Tuition Classification:

1. Why was I flagged as out-of-state? Students are classified as residents or non-residents based on the Savannah State University application for admission. Any information indicating ties to another state (out-of-state address, out-of-state school, out-of-state driver's license, etc.) will result in an out-of-state classification.
2. Why do we have out-of-state tuition? A difference in fee amounts for in-state and out-of-state students exists because the tuition paid by an in-state student covers only about 25% of the total cost of the student's education in the University System. The taxpayers of Georgia contribute a substantial portion of the remaining costs through the state income tax.
3. Do I have to go through this process even if my classification status is a mistake? As a state-supported institution, Savannah State University requires students to submit documented proof of residency in order to qualify for in-state tuition. Residency classification guidelines are set by the University System of Georgia and can be found online here.
4. How many supporting documents do I need to submit? There is no set formula or number of supporting documents that meet the needs of every petitioning student or circumstance. The residency team reviews each petition individually and assesses the need for supporting documents based on each student's unique circumstance. The following are the four most frequently requested supporting documents:
   1. A copy of the student's Georgia driver's license issued on or after January 1, 2008, or a current U.S. Passport.
   2. A copy of valid vehicle registration for the State of Georgia.
   3. A copy of the most recent state income tax return (GA 500).
      • Dependent students will be required to provide their parent's or U.S. court-appointed legal guardian's GA 500; Independent students will be required to provide their own GA 500.
      • If taxes are hand written, a certified copy will be required. A certified copy may be obtained online through the Georgia Department of Revenue or by calling 1-877-423-6711/ (404) 417-6760).
   4. A copy of a current lease or deed to a home or residence in Georgia.
      • Dependent students will be required to provide their parent's lease or deed and a copy of their birth certificate or legal guardianship paperwork to link the student to the parent or legal guardian.
      • Independent students will be required to provide a copy of their lease or deed.
5. How long will it take for my petition/waiver to be approved/denied? The process of reclassification takes approximately 3-4 weeks after all supporting documents have been received by the tuition classification officer.
6. If I am truly an out-of-state student, am I required to petition? No. Only students who meet the requirements and wish to be classified as an in-state student for tuition purposes need to petition.