Washington State Higher Education Residency Affidavit
For Fall 2021, the laws regarding the Residency Affidavit have changed for terms starting after 7/25/21. The new forms are available now and are available at the bottom of this page. Applications utilizing the online form are processed more frequently.
Anyone who meets the eligibility requirements may submit a Residency Affidavit.
Terms starting after 7/25/21 (preliminary)
The information in this paragraph is preliminary and may be updated for terms starting 7/25/21. Watch this page for the latest information.
Students may qualify for resident tuition at WSU if they:
- Earn a high school diplomam GED, or diploma equivalent before the first term at WSU, AND
- Maintain a permanent residence in Washington for at least one year (12 consecutive months) immediately before the first term at WSU, AND
- Sign an affidavit stating that they meet the above requirements, AND
- Students who are not US citizens, national, or permanent resident agree to file an application to become a permanent resident of the US as soon as they are eligible to apply. They additionally agree to engage in activities designed to prepare them for citizenship, including citizenship or civics review courses.
Are you eligible? Find out!
Try our Residency Affidavit Survey to see if you are eligible to use this affidavit.
F or J Visa?
If you are an International student with a F-1 or J-1 visa status, a residency application could have a negative impact on your future immigration applications. We highly recommend that you consult with an immigration advisor at WSU: IP-International Student and Scholar Services prior to completing a Residency Affidavit. If you have previously applied for residency, and wish to withdraw this application, please contact the WSU Registrar's Office.
How do I apply for residency using the Residency Affidavit?
WASFA
If you completed the WASFA during 2019 or later, then you have already completed the Residency Affidavit.
Online applications
Paper applications
Applications may be emailed to the Registrar's Office or mailed to:
Office of the Registrar
French Administration Building, Room 346
PO Box 641035
Pullman, WA 99164-1035
When will you process my Residency Affidavit?
Please allow several weeks for processing of your paper or online Residency Affidavit. High school seniors may submit a Residency Affidavit after they have applied for admission. Residency Affidavits submitted prior to high school graduation will be preliminarily approved pending receipt of documentation that demonstrates that the student is eligible. We will provisionally code you as a Resident if you appear to meet the qualifications. If you are a high school senior, and have not graduated when you submit your WASFA, we will review your updated high school transcript when your school submits it to WSU. Additional documentation may be required for students who did not immediately attend WSU after high school. Watch your email for emails from Smartsheet or residency@wsu.edu.
Did I get resident tuition?
If you provided your WSU Email address with your online application, we will email you when your residency affidavit is processed. For all other students, you can determine if you are paying resident tuition in myWSU. How do I read my tuition bill?
What is the deadline for the Residency Affidavit?
Residency Affidavits due by the 30th day of the semester. Affidavits received after that date will be applied to the next semester. Visit our Residency homepage for a list of the current dates.
Do I need to do this every year?
No, the affidavit is submitted once and does not need to be renewed unless you re-apply to WSU, perhaps after a gap year or if you wish to attend Graduate School.
Financial Aid
There are financial resources for undocumented students available through Student Financial Services. Students who complete the Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA) starting in 2019 may have already submitted the Residency Affidavit.
For Terms starting prior to 7/25/21
Students may qualify for resident tuition at WSU if they:
- Graduate from a Washington high school with a diploma, earn a GED, or earn a diploma equivalent, AND
- High school graduates must finish their full senior year at a Washington high school.
Washington House Bill 1079 for submissions prior to 7/25/21
HB 1079 was passed in 2003. It allows students who are eligible to sign this affidavit to pay in-state (resident) tuition and fees at public institutions. Other Washington laws allow these students to meet residency requirements for state financial aid programs. These programs have more requirements.
(e) Any person who has completed the full senior year of high school and obtained a high school diploma, both at a Washington public high school or private high school approved under chapter 28A.195 RCW, or a person who has received the equivalent of a diploma; who has lived in Washington for at least three years immediately prior to receiving the diploma or its equivalent; who has continuously lived in the state of Washington after receiving the diploma or its equivalent and until such time as the individual is admitted to an institution of higher education under subsection (1) of this section; and who provides to the institution an affidavit indicating that the individual will file an application to become a permanent resident at the earliest opportunity the individual is eligible to do so and a willingness to engage in any other activities necessary to acquire citizenship, including but not limited to citizenship or civics review courses;
RCW 28B.15.012 (2)(e)
Residency Affidavit applications
WASFA
If you completed the WASFA during 2019 or later, then you have already completed the Residency Affidavit. There is no need to complete the online or paper forms.
Online applications
Paper applications
Applications may be emailed to the Registrar's Office or mailed to:
Office of the Registrar
French Administration Building, Room 346
PO Box 641035
Pullman, WA 99164-1035
