Tuition Classification

Tuition classification is governed by state law (Title 23, Article 7, of the Colorado Revised Statutes of 1973, as amended) and by judicial decisions that apply to all public institutions of higher education in Colorado and is subject to change at any time. The college is required to apply the rules set forth in the law and does not have authority to make exceptions unless specifically permitted by law.

In-state status requires domicile in Colorado for one year prior to the first day of class. Domicile is defined as an individual’s true, fixed, and permanent home and place of habitation. An individual may only have one domicile at any one time.

At the beginning of the one year period, individuals are expected to take appropriate actions to demonstrate the intent to remain in Colorado permanently. This includes, but is not limited to:

• surrendering legal ties with their former state of residence,
• obtaining Colorado Driver’s License/Identification within the statutory period,
• registering motor vehicle within the statutory period,
• registering to vote in Colorado,
• obtaining permanent employment in Colorado,
• filing income tax in Colorado,
• any other factors that document the individual’s intent to establish a permanent home in Colorado.

Individuals are qualified to begin the one year domicile period upon reaching 22 years of age, and thus would satisfy the one year domicile requirement at 23 years of age. The one year domicile period also begins upon marriage or emancipation if the individual is under 22 years of age. Individuals under the age of 23 are eligible for in-state tuition if a parent or court-appointed legal guardian meets the requirements of the tuition law.

The tuition law recognizes the special circumstances regarding military personnel, military veterans, certain recipients of education benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs, Olympic athletes, inmates, and recent Colorado high school graduates or GED recipients.

Active duty members of the armed forces, as well as their spouse and dependent children, whose permanent duty station is in Colorado will be charged to in-state tuition, even if the permanent duty station changes, as long as the student (armed forces member, their spouse or dependent child) is continually enrolled in classes. Students must notify the Registration office each semester they are enrolled of their military status, in order to receive in-state tuition. If the Registration office was not notified of the student's military status and the semester has concluded, in-state tuition cannot be retroactively applied.

Initial Classification

Students are classified as resident or non-resident for tuition purposes based on the information provided on the Application for Admission. Failure to answer all questions could lead to initial classification as a nonresident. After the student’s status is determined, it remains unchanged in the absence of satisfactory evidence to the contrary.

Change in Tuition Classification

New students who believe their initial tuition classification was based on incomplete information and wish to prove eligibility must submit a Correction Form by the census (drop) date of the earliest part-of-term in which they are enrolled. Continuing students who attended and paid non-resident tuition or individuals emancipated prior to 22 years of age shall have up to 30 days from the first day of class to complete the Petition for In-State Tuition.

Information submitted to qualify for in-state classification is subject to independent verification. Individuals submitting false information or falsified supporting documents are subject to both criminal charges and college disciplinary proceedings.

Appeal Procedure

Students who are denied in-state tuition will not be allowed to drop courses after the census date (drop with refund deadline). Students are responsible for dropping all courses by the census date even if a decision on the Petition for In-State Tuition has not yet been received or agree to pay the out of state tuition rate. Students who are denied in-state tuition may appeal the decision of the Tuition Classification Officer. The decision of the appeals committee is final and will not be overturned by the Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE).

CCA reserves the right to correct tuition classification after the deadline in cases where the college believes an error was made.

For more information regarding residency and tuition classification, please visit the Colorado Department of Higher Education’s website at http://highered.colorado.gov or contact the Registration and Records Office at 303-360-4797.