Residency

Residency status for the Louisiana State University System is governed by Permanent Memoranda 31 (PM-31).

LSU is very strict on the reclassification of students' residency status once they are enrolled. The majority of residency decisions are made when you are admitted to the University. Once you are admitted as either a resident or non-resident for tuition purposes, your classification (resident/non-resident) is essentially fixed for the duration of your enrollment, unless you meet a qualifying condition outlined in the policy. 

An additional note for dependent students:  Dependent student's residency is always considered to be the state of residency of their parents.

The residency of an unmarried minor (under age of 18) or dependent (see Internal Revenue Code of 1954, Section 152) is regarded to be that of the parent with whom such a minor or dependent maintains his or her place of abode.

The residency of an unmarried minor or dependent with a living parent cannot be changed by his or her own act, or by the relinquishment of a parent's right of control.

When an unmarried minor or dependent lives with neither parent, then his or her residency is deemed to be that of the parent with whom the student maintained the last place of abode.

For independent students, when a student is admitted to the University in order to be classified as a Louisiana resident for tuition purposes at any campus of LSU, a student must meet all three of the following conditions:

  1. The student has been domiciled in the State of Louisiana continuously for at least one full year (365 days) immediately preceding the first day of classes of the term for which resident classification is sought; and
  2. The student has not been enrolled in a Louisiana postsecondary education institution, except through a program providing dual secondary and post-secondary education credit; and
  3. The student has abandoned all prior domiciles. 

Unless otherwise provided for in this Permanent Memorandum, the campus decision on a student’s residency classification for tuition purposes, made in accord with the policies and regulations set forth herein, shall be fixed for the duration of enrollment.

This policy may be viewed in its entirety by selecting the link below.

PM-31 - Residency

Military Residency

Louisiana is in compliance with Section 702 of the Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act of 2014 (“Choice Act”).

A covered individual is defined in the Choice Act as:

  • A Veteran who lives in the state where the IHL (Institute of Higher Learning) is located (regardless of his/her formal state of residence) and enrolls in the school within three years of discharge from a period of active duty service of 90 days or more.
  • An individual using transferred benefits who lives in the state where the IHL is located (regardless of his/her formal state of residence) and enrolls in the school within three years of the transferor’s discharge from a period of active duty service of 90 days or more.
    • Anyone described above while he or she remains continuously enrolled (other than during regularly scheduled breaks between courses, semesters, or terms) at the same school. The person so described must have enrolled in the school prior to the expiration of the three year period following discharge or release as described above and must be using educational benefits under either chapter 30 or chapter 33, of title 38, United States Code.
  • Anyone using transferred Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits who lives in the state where the IHL is located and the transferor is a member of the uniformed service who is serving on active duty.
  • Anyone using benefits under the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship who lives in the state where the IHL is located (regardless of his/her formal state of residence).

Further information on the requirements of Section 702 of the Choice Act can be found by selecting the link below.

gi bill rate requirements

Military residency for eligible students will be automatically updated once we are notified by the LSU VA Office. 

Residency for Tuition and Fee Purposes for Active Duty Servicemembers and Veterans is defined by LSU PM-40: Military & Veterans Educational Benefits and Assistance. 

A member of the Active Duty of the Armed Forces, their spouse, and their dependents qualify as residents for tuition and fee purposes if they meet any of the following criteria:

  1. A member of the Active Duty of the Armed Forces currently stationed in Louisiana, and any of their dependents, may be classified as a resident for tuition purposes upon submission of an appropriate statement signed by the unit commander verifying both active-duty status and station assignment.
  2. When a member of the Armed Forces who is on active-duty and stationed in Louisiana is transferred out of Louisiana, the member, their spouse, children, or dependents enrolled at the University shall maintain their status as a resident for tuition purposes if:
    1. They are admitted while the servicemember is stationed at the location immediately following their Louisiana duty station; or
    2. They maintain continual enrollment at the University which includes a one-year grace period between the completion of a baccalaureate degree and entry into a graduate or professional degree program; or
    3. They maintain residency within Louisiana [RS 17:2137C(2)].  
  3. A member of the Active Duty of the Armed Forces who was resident of Louisiana prior to entering the Armed Forces will retain the right to enroll themselves, their spouse, and any dependents as Louisiana residents for tuition purposes as long as they are on active duty in the Armed Forces and for a five-year period after separation from service.  

Should Congress act or the President of the United States dictate amendments, regulations, or orders in conflict with the federally-defined educational benefits of veterans as defined in this section, those actions shall supersede this policy.

For additional information, including the definition of a Active Duty Servicemember, please refer to PM-40: Military & Veterans Educational Benefits and Assistance.

A Veteran of the Armed Forces, their spouse, and their dependents qualify as residents for tuition and fee purposes if they meet certain criteria, though they need not have been residents of Louisiana at any time before, during, or after national service. Individuals meeting the following eligibility criteria shall be categorized as a resident for tuition purposes; this classification shall remain valid for as long as the student remains continuously enrolled:

  1. A Veteran or dependent eligible to receive educational assistance administered by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs through any provision of the United States Code.
  2. Children and spouses of veterans of the armed forces who died while in active service or because of a service-related disability incurred during a war time period are eligible for educational benefits per Louisiana Revised Statute 29:288.

Should Congress act or the President of the United States dictate amendments, regulations, or orders in conflict with the federally-defined educational benefits of veterans as defined in this section, those actions shall supersede this policy.  

For additional information, please refer to PM-40: Military & Veterans Educational Benefits and Assistance.

To verify eligibility and appeal for reclassification, please complete the form below.