MISSOULA – The Montana Board of Regents will consider tightening in state residency rules for out-of-state students looking to cut thousands of dollars from their tuition bills at this week’s meeting.
Current Board of Regent policy provides that residency ties to the state must be established for a period of 12-months to qualify for residency. Students must also show documentation such as Montana driver’s license, voter registration and buying a home.
The proposed change would clarify that a person seeking residency must file any required resident Montana tax returns for taxable income earned during the period is claimed and requires evidence of financial independence.
The revisions also allow for a person to comply with state law by obtaining a driver’s license and vehicle registration within 60 days of relocation to Montana and remain eligible for residency.
An out-of-state student must also relinquish all residency ties to a former state of residence to establish residency for tuition purposes; i.e. voter registration, driver’s license and vehicle registration.
The Board of Regents meets on Thursday and Friday on the University of Montana Campus. Click here for the meeting agenda.
