Qualifying for In-State Tuition Rates

Southern Illinois University at Carbondale is a state-supported institution. Although our non-resident tuition rate is much lower than that of most private schools, it is considerably higher than the resident tuition rate. However, our policy permits students to change their classification status from non-resident to Illinois resident.

If you want to be considered an Illinois resident for the purposes of paying in-state tuition, then you must fall into one of the following four groups:

1. You have established Illinois residency.

To establish residency, all of the following must be true for six months immediately preceding the semester you wish to pay in-state tuition:

a) resided in the state for six (6) consecutive months;
b) possess an Illinois driver’s license or state identification card;
c) have registered to vote in Illinois; and
d) have registered your vehicle in Illinois (if you own a vehicle).

2. You are the dependent or spouse of an Illinois resident.

To establish residency, all of the following must be true:

a) your spouse or your parent owns or leases property (real estate) in Illinois;
b) all real estate taxes or lease payments on said property have been paid in full;
c) you have submitted a copy of your birth certificate or marriage certificate indicating your relationship to the property owner/lessor; and
d) you have submitted a copy of the lease or tax bill showing that all taxes or payments have been paid.

3. You are a member of the United States armed forces living or stationed in Illinois.

To establish residency, both of the following must be true:

a) you entered the armed forces as an Illinois resident or you were stationed in Illinois by the armed forces; and
b) you have submitted a copy of your orders

4. You are the dependent or spouse of a member of the United States armed forces living or stationed in Illinois.

To establish residency, both of the following must be true:

a) your spouse or parent entered the armed forces as an Illinois resident or was stationed in Illinois by the armed forces; and
b) you have submitted a copy of your spouse’s or parent’s orders.

If you meet the criteria listed, please click here to be taken directly to the residency application.

Once you have completed this application, please print a copy of the application and submit it, along with copies of your supporting documents, to the SIU School of Law, Office of Admissions and Financial Aid, located at 1209 W. Chautauqua Road, in Carbondale, Illinois marked to the attention of Pat Caporale. Please remember not to sign the application until you are in the presence of a Notary Public. Pat Caporale is a notary and can notarize this for you at no charge. 

If you have any questions about obtaining Illinois residency at any time, please email Pat Caporale at caporale@siu.edu or telephone her at 618.453.8767.