Washington State Residents

For state-supported class tuition purposes, a Washington state resident is one who is a U.S. citizen or one who has permanent resident immigration status, or conditioned entrant status, AND:

  • Has established a domicile (residence) in Washington state primarily for purposes other than educational for the period of one year immediately prior to the first day of the quarter and was financially independent from parents or legally-appointed guardians for the calendar year during which college enrollment begins, OR
  • Is a financially dependent student, one or both of whose parents or legal guardians have maintained a domicile in Washington state for at least one year immediately prior to the last day of the quarter.

A Washington state resident must have lived continuously in Washington state for the last 12 months. Students cannot qualify as legal residents of Washington for tuition calculation purposes if they possess a valid out-of-state driver's license, vehicle registration, or other documents that give evidence of being a legal resident of another state.

Washington state residents typically document their legal residence by showing that they have done ALL of the following for the entire 12 months immediately preceding the beginning of the quarter:

  • Held a Washington driver's license or identification card, AND
  • Had their vehicle registered in Washington, AND
  • Have been registered to vote in Washington

determination

For New Students who have an Undetermined residency status based upon their online application for admissions, you have two options regarding applying for in-state residency tuition.

Option 1:
You can qualify for in-state residency using the Washington State Higher Education Residency Affidavit if you meet all the following conditions:

    • You have received a high school diploma (or equivalent).
    • You maintained a primary residence in Washington for at least 12 consecutive months immediately before your first term at the college determining residency. The Washington residence must be for purposes other than college. If you take any courses at another Washington college during the prior 12 months, you cannot have taken more than six credits in any given term. If you exceed that limit, you must prove that you have a Washington residence for non-college reasons.
    • You will affirm that you are a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or that you will file an application to become a permanent resident of the United States as soon as you are eligible to apply.

 If you meet all the above requirements, you can use the updated Washington Higher Education Residency Affidavit (pdf) to request a change in residency status, and email the completed form as an attachment to enrollment@cascadia.edu. Note that if you applied or will apply for state financial aid using the Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA), then you do not need to submit this affidavit form separately. The affidavit is part of the WASFA.

Option 2:
If you are not eligible for the above affidavit, please complete the MS Form Residency Status Waiver to ensure that you are charged the appropriate tuition rate.

 


 

Out of State Residents

Students cannot qualify as legal residents of Washington for tuition calculation purposes if they possess a valid out-of-state driver's license, vehicle registration, or other documents that give evidence of being a legal resident of another state.

Some exceptions apply for active duty military personnel and some employees of public higher education institutions. Visit Enrollment Services in Kodiak Corner for additional information.

Exceptions

Certain students who are not permanent residents or citizens of the United States may be eligible for resident tuition rates. To be eligible students must have met the following conditions:

  • Earn a high school diploma, GED, or diploma equivalent before your first term at the college determining residency, and
  • Maintain a primary residence in Washington for at least 12 consecutive months immediately before your first term at the college determining residency. The Washington residence must be for purposes other than college. If you take any courses at another Washington college during the prior 12 months, you cannot have taken more than six credits in any given term. If you exceed that limit, you must prove that you have a Washington residence for non-college reasons.

Students who meet the above criteria and have filed an application for admission must submit a signed WA Higher Education Residency Affidavit to the enrollment@cascadia.edu or the Welcome Desk. 

For Continuing Students who currently have out-of-state residency status looking to petition for a change to in-state residency status, individuals must fill out the following Residency Questionnaire and send it enrollment@cascadia.edu, along with supporting documentation showing they meet the following guidelines to establish Washington domincile:

  • Physically reside in the state for at least 12 consecutive months prior to the first day of the quarter student is seeking residency.
  • A legal resident must also relinquish all valid legal ties with their former state/country of residence and affirmatively create legal ties and relationships in the state of Washington in accordance with state and local legislation.

Supporting documentation include three (3) or more of the following items listed below:

  • Lease/rental agreement, mortgage settlement or rent receipts
  • Washington driver's license
  • Washington motor vehicle registration (not title)
  • Washington voter registration card
  • Evidence of full-time employment (employer statement noting hire date and full-time status)
  • Checking or saving account
  • Address listed on selective service registration
  • Membership in professional, business, civic or other organizations
  • Receipt of benefits under public assistance programs
  • Hunting or fishing license

Any questions, please contact our Enrollment Services at enrollment@cascadia.edu; or call 425.352.8860; or come visit us during our open hours at the Kodiak Corner.