Current and returning undergraduate students (those who have attended at least one class at MSU-Bozeman) have their residency status determined through the Registrar's Office. Individuals are encouraged to review the full Board of Regents' Residency Policy (Policy 940.1) to understand the context and requirements of residency classification. Information on specific processes, deadlines, forms, required documentation, and guidance for navigating a residency reclassification is provided below. For detailed guidance, please refer to the Guide to Montana Residency Policy.

It's important to note that residing in Montana primarily for educational purposes does not qualify an individual for in-state residency status for tuition purposes. Likewise, owning property in Montana alone does not establish eligibility for in-state tuition. The criteria for establishing residency for tuition purposes at Montana State University differ from the general qualifications for being considered a resident of the State of Montana. As such, an individual may be considered a Montana resident for other purposes but still be classified as a non-resident for tuition at MSU.

Residency Workshop

The Office of the Registrar offers an Introduction to Residency Workshop for current and returning undergraduate students. This weekly session provides an overview of the residency reclassification process, with opportunities for both students and parents to ask questions throughout.

The workshop takes place every Tuesday from 2:00–3:00 p.m. (Mountain Time). Click the button below to log in and join the session.

Join Residency Workshop

Board of Regents' Residency Policy

(940.1)

Reviewing the full residency policy, as established by the Montana University System Board of Regents, is strongly recommended.

 

Independent Student Reclassification

(Individual)

If you have relocated to Montana and are at least 51% financially independent, you may be eligible for residency reclassification.

Dependent Student Reclassification

(Family)

If your family has relocated to Montana and you are under the age of 24, you may be eligible for residency reclassification based on your parents’ residency status.

Deadlines

Residency petitions must be submitted during these windows:

  • Spring Semester: November 1 – December 15
  • Summer Semester: April 1 – June 1
  • Fall Semester: June 1 – August 1

Late petitions are not guaranteed to be reviewed for the current semester. If your petition is submitted after the deadline, you must include a written statement explaining the circumstances that prevented timely submission. This explanation will be considered by the Residency Committee during their review.

Keep in mind: The student is responsible for all assessed fees and must remain current on payments. Setting up a payment plan through Student Accounts is recommended.

For questions regarding the residency petition process or your petition, please contact Ginny Lones at ginny.lones@montana.edu.

For questions related to Residency Policy 940.1 or the residency appeals process, please contact Veronica Jordan at veronica.jordan@montana.edu.