Residency for Tuition Purposes
As a state public university, the University of Washington has different tuition rates for state residents and non-residents. State law sets the rules governing who qualifies as a resident for tuition-paying purposes. Students must meet these requirements to be verified as residents for tuition purposes.
Initial Residency Status
A student’s initial residence classification is set during the admissions process based on information provided on the student’s admission application. Students who are classified as a non-resident when they are admitted to the University and believe they qualify as a resident for tuition purposes must file a residency application to request verification.
Transfer Students
Residency classification at any other Washington state 4-year universities (including Bothell/Tacoma campuses) or Washington state Community & Technical College (CTC) does not transfer between schools. Students should understand both the residency requirements and the residency application process before applying for admission.
Special Populations
Reduced tuition and residency information for special populations, such as medical students, military personnel & others, can be found in Residency Groups.
Applying for Residency
There are three pathways for students, who qualify, to apply for residency via the new residency application process. Each pathway has its own requirements. Students should select the pathway that best aligns with their situation.
Application Timelines
Applications must be submitted no later than the 30th day of the quarter in accordance with WAC 250-18-025. Students who have not yet resided in Washington state for 12 months should not submit a residency application any earlier than the first posted date for each quarter.
| Winter 2026 | Spring 2026 | Summer 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 5, 2025-Feb 4, 2026 | Feb 28-Apr 29 | May 23-Jul 22 |
Residency Policies
Residency policies are set by the Washington state legislature and applied uniformly throughout Washington’s colleges and universities. Additional details regarding residence classification are referenced throughout the Residency webpages. We recommended reviewing the relevant Revised Code of Washington (RCW) and the Washington Administrative Code (WAC) statutes.
- State Statutes – RCW 28B.15.011-RCW 28B.15.015
- State Rules and Regulations – WAC 250-18-010 – WAC 250-18-06
- Substitute House Bill 2543 [PDF] – RCW 2B15.012(2)(i), RCW 2B15.012(2)(x), RCW 2B15.012(2)(p), RCW 2B15.012(2)(n), RCW 2B15.012(2)(q)
Contact the Residency Team
There are two ways to contact the Residency Team at UW Seattle. Generally, staff respond to email inquiries within five (5) business days. For pressing or complicated advising questions, please schedule an appointment.