The University of Hawaii, like all public institutions of higher learning, has residency requirements for payment of resident tuition. These requirements, similar to those of other states, are complex. Consequently, students applying to the University of Hawaii at Manoa often have questions about their residency status as it applies to tuition. The following section is designed to acquaint you with the University of Hawaii's residency regulations and to answer some of the questions you may have. The following information is not a complete explanation of the laws and regulations about residency. Furthermore, residency rules may change as a result of legislation or administrative action. Residency Officers on all campuses have up-to-date information on all aspects of residency.

What are the residency requirements which determine whether I pay resident or nonresident tuition?

To qualify for resident tuition, you must have been a bona fide resident of Hawaii for at least 365 days/one (1) calendar year prior to the semester that you want resident tuition status. This applies to adults who are 18 years of age or older. If you are a minor (under 18 years of age), your parents or court ordered guardians must have been bona fide residents for the 365 days/one (1) calendar year in question.

In addition, whether you are an adult or minor, for the 365 days/ one (1) calendar year in question, you must not have been claimed as a dependent for tax purposes by your parents or court ordered guardians if they are not legal residents of Hawaii.

What do you mean by bona fide residence?

Bona fide residence is similar to the legal concept of domicile. A person’s domicile is the place where that person lives permanently and returns to after any absence. To be a bona fide resident of Hawaii, you must be physically present in the State and demonstrate for the 365 days/one (1) calendar year in question, that your intent is to make Hawaii your permanent residence.

How can I demonstrate that my intent is to make Hawaii my permanent home?

Intent for resident tuition purposes is not your future actions, but what you have done in the immediate past (prior to the semester that you want resident tuition status). The following are documents that will be asked of you to determine resident tuition. Not all documents are required, as some can be substituted for another. That is why it is always best to call 808-956-8975 or 1-800-823-9771 and ask for a residency person to discuss your situation:

• State of Hawaii personal income tax, filing as a resident (required in all cases)
• State of Hawaii Voter Certificate
• State of Hawaii General Excise License
• Employment verification
• Bank account that is active in Hawaii
• Lease agreement
• Ownership of property
• Other documents as needed

In addition, you may submit evidence of any other actions that you wish to have considered.

What else should I know about the residency requirements?

• In order to be considered as a resident for tuition purposes, you must be a U.S. Citizen or a permanent resident for a period of 365 days/one (1) calendar year.
• You cannot maintain domicile in Hawaii and in another place simultaneously. In other words, you cannot be a bona fide resident of Hawaii if you appear to maintain your domicile somewhere else.
• The 365 day/one (1) calendar year “clock” begins when you take the first action demonstrating your intent to make Hawaii your permanent residence (i.e. start employment, register to vote, purchase property, or get a general excise license)
• You cannot establish residency by simply being enrolled in school. If you are a non-resident student, it is presumed that you are living in Hawaii primarily to attend school, and your presence is temporary even if you live in Hawaii during vacation and other breaks from study.
  

Can I attend school and establish residency for tuition purposes at the same time?

Yes, but there is a credit restriction during the 365 days/one (1) year you are establishing residency. You are limited to taking only five (5) semester credits each semester in any school in Hawaii. You may take online/distance learning courses that are offered in a different state, but you must pay the non-resident tuition rate of that institution.

I participate in 1.) National Student Exchange (NSE); 2.) Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE); or 3.) Western Interstate Commission of Higher Education (WICHE). Can I establish residency for tuition purposes?

Yes, but your 365 day/one (1) calendar year does not start until you finish/discontinue your participation in the program. This is assuming you have taken action demonstrating your intent to make Hawaii your permanent residence (i.e. start employment, register to vote, purchase property, or get a general excise license).

I have heard that some non-residents pay resident tuition. Is this true?

Yes, State of Hawaii law established several categories of non-resident students who are allowed to pay resident tuition:

• United States military personnel, their spouses, and their authorized dependents (up to age 23) during the period the military personnel is stationed in Hawaii on active duty.
• Member of the Hawaii National Guard or Hawaii-based Reserve who are under contract in Hawaii.
• Certain employees of the University of Hawaii, their spouses, and dependents.
• East-West Center student grantees pursuing baccalaureate or advanced degrees at the University of Hawaii.
• Native Hawaiians, descendents of the aboriginal peoples that inhabited the Hawaiian Islands and exercised sovereignty in the Hawaiian Islands in 1778.

In addition, the University of Hawaii also allows citizens of certain Pacific islands, which do not have public institutions that grant baccalaureate degrees to pay 150% of the resident tuition:

American Samoa	Republic of Palau
Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas	Republic of the Marshall Islands
Cook Islands	Solomon Islands
Federated States of Micronesia	Tokelau
Futuna	Tonga
Kiribati	Tuvalu
Nauru	Vanuatu
New Caledonia	Wallis
Niue

I intend to live in Hawaii permanently and would like to establish residency. What should I do first?

Because everyone’s situation is different, you should call 808-956-8975 or 1-800-823-9771 and ask for a residency person. He/she will assist you in determining what action to take and what documents to provide when it is time for you to be eligible for resident tuition.

Who determines my residency?

Each University of Hawaii campus has a Residency Officer that oversees the resident and non-resident status of all students at that campus. All Residency Officer decisions are based upon the Hawaii Administrative Rules, Title 20, Chapter 4 – Determination of Residency As Applied To Tuition and Admission. If the residency process seems somewhat rigorous and detailed, it is because the Residency Officers, by law, must be precise in determining a student’s residency status.

If I disagree with the determination, what recourse do I have?

There is an appeal process. You may go to the Office of Admissions and Records and pick up the appeal forms from the Residency counter.

How can I learn more about the residency requirements which determine my tuition?

You will find detailed information in the Hawaii Administrative Rules, Title 20, Chapter 4 – Determination of Residency As Applied To Tuition and Admission:

http://www.hawaii.edu/offices/bor/adminrules/chapter04.pdf

You may also call 808-956-8975 or 1-800-823-9771 and ask for a residency person. He/she can answer your questions or provide clarification.