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Determination of the residency status of each applicant for admission to the University is made at the time of admission. A student may petition for a change to Illinois residency by submitting an application and supportive documents to the Graduate Registration Office ( gradregistration@siu.edu). See details below.

Applying for Illinois Residency

In order to qualify for in-state tuition at SIU, a student must be a citizen or permanent resident of the U.S. and must be a bona fide resident of the state of Illinois for the six month period immediately preceding the start of the semester they wish to be classified as an Illinois resident. To qualify for in-state tuition, you would need to be at least 18 years old at the time classes begin and move into Illinois, and remain living in Illinois for six months before applying. You must also change your driver’s license to an Illinois driver’s license, register to vote in Illinois, and if you are the sole owner of a vehicle you will be driving in Illinois, it must be registered in Illinois. You will need to complete an application for Illinois residency (PDF), and include with the completed application any appropriate documentation as requested. Have the application notarized before you submit, OR have your application notarized in our office (requires two picture IDs) and submit copies of the documents listed below to be considered for in-state residency for tuition purposes.

The documents below are required and must be completed/issued 6 months before the semester residency is requested.

1. A copy of your Illinois driver’s license, or if you do not drive, a copy of your Illinois ID Card. Date of issue must be at least 6 months prior to the start of the Illinois residency semester.
2. A copy of proof that you have registered to vote in Illinois. Permanent Residents do not need this.
3. If you drive a vehicle in the state of Illinois, you must submit a copy of your vehicle registration, which is the card that your license plate sticker comes on. If you are the sole owner of the vehicle, it must be registered in Illinois.
4. Proof that you have lived in Illinois for six consecutive months immediately preceding the start of the semester. The number of documents required varies by situation. Supportive documentation may consist of one document per month of any of the following documents, or it may be handled with just one document, for example, the lease for your residence. 
   
   1. Bank statement with your name, Illinois address, and date showing.
   2. Paycheck if you are employed in Illinois, with your name, Illinois address, and date showing.
   3. Rent receipts with your name, Illinois address, and date showing.
   4. Utility bills in your name with your Illinois address and date showing.
   5. A copy of your Lease with your name and the effective dates listed.
   6. If none of the above, then: Three notarized letters from Illinois residents attesting to your residency in Illinois for the six months before the semester begins.

The deadline to submit the Illinois Residency application and all documentation is by the end of the first month of the semester.

Application for Illinois Residency (PDF)

Graduate School Dates and Deadlines

Questions about the above process may be directed to gradregistration@siu.edu.