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If you enroll in Georgia Law as a non-resident and you are an independent student, you may become a resident for tuition purposes if you demonstrate by clear and convincing evidence that you have abandoned your out-of-state domicile and have established a domicile and legal residence in Georgia. 

Please note that there is no formula to ensure reclassification for independent students. Each case is considered unique and is evaluated accordingly.  The following actions, although not exhaustive or necessarily conclusive, support a claim for in-state status.

• Living in Georgia for at least 12 months immediately preceding the first day of classes in the term for which you seek in-state classification for tuition purposes.
• Remaining in Georgia during periods when not enrolled as a student.  For law students, this means that your claim for Georgia residency is stronger if you are able to stay in Georgia for the summer after your first year of law school.  If you accept summer legal employment outside of Georgia, you are not automatically disqualified from establishing residency if, looking at all of the facts and circumstances, it is still clear that you intend to make Georgia your permanent home.
• Showing that you are an independent student and demonstrating financial independence by relying on sources of financial support from within the state of Georgia for more than 50% of your total cost of attendance.  For 2009-2010, the cost of attendance is $45,546 for nonresidents.  Scholarships, including Tuition Equalization Scholarships and Tuition Reduction Scholarships, and law student loans in your name are independent financial support within the state of Georgia for purposes of determining legal residency.  Financial support from someone outside of Georgia, from loans based on the credit of others or from trust funds created by others for your support are not normally included as independent financial support.
• Paying income and property taxes as a Georgia resident, including taxes on income earned outside of Georgia.  You are not an independent student and will not be able to establish Georgia residency if you are claimed as income tax deduction by your parents or any other individual for the tax year preceding the term for which you are requesting resident classification.
• Obtaining a Georgia driver’s license and registering your vehicle in Georgia at least 12 months prior to the first day of classes for the term in which you seek in-state classification for tuition purposes.
• Registering to vote in Georgia.
• Opening a bank or savings account in Georgia in your name. (i.e. not a joint account with someone out-of-state)
• Leasing or purchasing living quarters in Georgia in your name.

Law students who intend to remain in Georgia upon completion of their legal studies should complete and submit a Petition for Classification as In-State for Tuition Purposes.

*  In-state classification for tuition purposes is governed by the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia. The information contained in this memorandum is for students at the School of Law only. It is subject to change. Refer to the Board of Regents Policy Manual for current complete information regarding Georgia residency for tuition purposes at the University of Georgia.