FORT LEWIS COLLEGE
Guidance to Qualifying for Colorado Residency for Tuition Purposes
Petition for In-State Residency Deadline – Close of Business, 1st day of classes

NOTE:  These are guidelines that have been established by Fort Lewis College to assist students in understanding Colorado residency law requirements.  .  Fort Lewis College uses the following information to determine residency status.  Should you have further questions with regard to the law, please refer to 23-7-101 through 23-7-105 of the Colorado Revised Statutes.

Residency is based on the following:

1. Continuous physical presence in the State of Colorado for the twelve months immediately preceding the term for which a student wishes to be considered for in-state residency.
Example:  If you are applying for in-state residency for Fall 2004, you would be required to have maintained a continuous physical presence in Colorado starting exactly 1 year prior to the first day of classes for Fall 2004. (See #1 below)

2. Proof of intent to become a Colorado resident for the twelve months immediately preceding the term for which a student wishes to be considered for in-state residency.  (See #2 below)

3. If you are 22 years of age or younger on the first day of the term for which you wish to be considered for in-state residency, you must provide proof of emancipation for the twelve months immediately preceding  that term .  Emancipation is defined as the Parent’s intent to relinquish any and all financial support to the student.
Example:  If you are applying for in-state residency for Fall 2004, and you are 22 years of age, you must submit proof of emancipation indicating your emancipation since September, 2003.  (See #3 below)

RECOMMENDED DOCUMENTATION:  The following documents should be submitted with a completed Petition for In-State Residency (signed and notarized) and should cover the 12 months prior to the term for which you wish to be considered for in-state residency.  NOTE:  If you are unable to provide any document listed below, please include a statement of explanation.  It is a combination of items that either prove or disprove residency.

1. Physical Presence
     a. Copy of lease, warranty deed, tax receipt for the most recent year, rent receipts, or a letter from the landlord.  Documents must include the name of the person petitioning for in-state residency.
     b. Copies of pay stubs showing employer, employee, and dates of employment or a letter from the employer verifying employment dates:  NOTE:  W-2 forms do not show dates of employment and should not be submitted for proof of physical presence.

2. Intent to Become a Colorado Resident
     a. Copy of most recent Colorado State Income Tax Return.
     b. Copy of Colorado Voter Registration.
     c. Copy of Colorado Driver’s License.  If the current Colorado Driver’s License is a replacement issued in the last 6 months, a copy of the student’s Colorado Driver’s License History should be obtained from the DMV and submitted in order to verify that the student has held a Colorado Drivers License for at least one year.
     d. Copy of Colorado Automobile Registration.

3. Emancipation
     a. Emancipation form signed and notarized by both parents.
     b. Copy of most recent Federal Income Tax Return from both parents showing that the student is not being claimed.
     c. Proof student has enough income to cover all expenses listed in the Petition for In-State Residency (W-2’s, pay stubs, statements from employers).
     d. If a student uses an automobile, it must be registered and insured in the student’s name only.
NOTE:  Other forms of parental support that are not allowed, include but are not limited to, medical insurance (unless the student is paying the portion of the premium for their coverage), and regular monetary gifts including trust funds.