Forms and Policies
Forms
Click the arrow for more informationAcademic Records Forms
- Academic Second Chance
- Accelerated Graduate Admission and Credit - General
- Accelerated Graduate Admission and Credit - Occ. Therapy
- Accelerated Graduate Course Registration Worksheet
- Departmental Challenge
- Grade Appeal Form
- Graduate Academic Second Chance
- Graduate Prior Learning Credit
- Graduate Change of Degree Form
- Graduate Change of Program Form
- International Student Verification Letter Request Form
- Name Change
- Preferred First Name Form
- SACM Transcript Release Form (Saudi Arabian Students Only)
Graduation Forms
RACR Degree Audit Forms
Registration Forms
Miscellaneous Forms
Policies
Murray State University and the Office of the Registrar have several policies in place to help guide you. If you have a question that is not answered by choosing one of the links, please contact us.
Click the arrow for more informationFERPA/Privacy Act & Consent to Release
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) was enacted to protect the privacy of students' education records, to establish the rights of students to inspect and review their education records, and to provide students with an opportunity to have inaccurate or misleading information in their education records corrected.
Click the arrow for more informationFERPA
Consent to Release Non-Directory (Confidential) Information
General Student Complaint Procedure
Residency for Tuition Purposes
INCOMING OR RETURNING STUDENTS
The initial determination of residency status is made by the institution during the
admission process and is based on all information obtained.
In making residency decisions, a determination is made as to whether a person is financially
dependent or independent, with the assumption that a dependent person lacks the financial
ability to live independently and cannot, therefore, establish permanent residency. If
you are an incoming or returning student and have questions about residency, contact
the appropriate Admissions Office.
CURRENTLY ENROLLED STUDENTS
If you feel your residency classification is in error, or your status has changed,
and you meet the qualifications for residency according to 13 KAR 2:045, you may request
a review of your residency status by completing the residency affidavit. Students
are responsible for providing clear and convincing evidence of residence and domicile.
Every relevant factor is considered in determining residency status. All facts of
residency and domicile must be documented and verifiable.
Policy and FAQs
RESIDENCY FAQ: ESTABLISHING RESIDENCY
Q. How long do I have to live in KY to get in-state residency? (I've been living in
Kentucky for 1 year. Do I qualify for in-state residency?)
A. Mere physical presence in KY doesn't automatically qualify someone for in-state residency.
There are many factors the State of Kentucky requires in order to establish residency
for tuition purposes. Many people live in Kentucky, including students from other
countries, while going to school but have not established permanent residency in the state.
Q. What are the requirements for becoming a KY resident?
A. The State of KY regulates the determination of residency status for admission and
tuition purposes for all public colleges and universities in the state. All persons
seeking a change in residency status should read this regulation (13KAR:045). KY residency
requires a preponderance of evidence supporting permanent residency in the state.
State-supported postsecondary education institutions were established and are maintained
by the Commonwealth of Kentucky primarily for the benefit of qualified residents of
Kentucky. The substantial commitment of public resources to postsecondary education
is predicated on the proposition that the state benefits significantly from the existence
of an educated citizenry.
Q. How is the determination of residency made?
A. Residency determination is based on the student's (1) financial independence or dependence
on parents/guardian, spouse, or other financial resources (aka loans, grants, financial
aid), and (2) a preponderance of evidence supporting the permanent domicile of the
student or parent/guardian or spouse.
New Admissions or Readmissions - For a newly admitted or readmitted student, residency status is determined by information provided on the admissions application, documents supplied, and other available information. The student should ensure that all pertinent information has been provided. The university will review the available information and determine the student's residency status based on state regulation. If the student then wishes to appeal that determination, a completed residency affidavit and required documentation must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar.
Enrolled Student - A currently enrolled student who wishes to petition for Kentucky residency status must complete the official residency affidavit and provide all necessary documentation to the Office of the Registrar. See the Academic Deadlines for deadlines.
Q. What is the deadline to file a request for residency change?
A. The residency affidavit and supporting documentation must be submitted to the Office
of the Registrar no more than thirty (30) days after the first day of class for the
term for which the person is requesting a change in residency status. Tuition bill
deadlines will be enforced. Classes could be purged for non-payment. Residency determination
may be made after tuition is due. If residency is changed, the student's tuition bill
will be adjusted and refunds may be generated, if applicable.
Q. What type of evidence is necessary to establish domicile or residency?
A. Each request for a change in residency should be supported with written documentation.
The affidavit identifies several areas that are to be supported by documentation;
as much documentation should be provided to support a residency claim. The required
documentation is listed at the end of the residency affidavit.
Q. If I have a driver’s license, vehicle registration, voter registration, and a lease,
will I be considered a KY resident?
A. Although they are required as part of the supporting documentation for residency, due to the ease and convenience in
completing these acts, they have limited value in a determination that a person is
domiciled in and is a resident of Kentucky.
Q. If an affidavit is refused by the institution due to lack of necessary documentation,
and the complete file is not resubmitted until after the thirty-day deadline, should
the institution accept the application for that term?
A. No. However, the student should be informed that the application can be accepted
for the following term.
Q. Is there a deadline for a student to submit additional documentation?
A. Yes. A student may supply additional documentation within five (5) business days
after being contacted by the Residency Officer for more information. If the Residency
Officer does not hear from the student, this may be reason for automatic denial.
Q. What is the definition of full-time employment?
A. At least 48 weeks a year, with an average of at least 30 hours a week, constitutes
full-time employment for tuition residency purposes in KY.
RESIDENCY FAQ: RESIDENCY FOR REGIONAL STATES
Q. Can I apply for residency for other states besides Kentucky?
A. Yes. Murray State offers tuition discounts to students whose residency is in one
of our regional states - AL, AR, IL, IN, MO, and TN. The same rules and regulations
apply to determining regional state residency as it does to determining Kentucky residency.
The same residency affidavit and supporting documents must be provided.
RESIDENCY FAQ: DEPENDENT STUDENT
Q. What is the residency of a dependent student?
A. A dependent person’s residency is that of the parent(s)/legal guardian or spouse.
Q. My parents are divorced (or separated) and one parent lives in Kentucky. Although
I was in custody of the parent living out of state, I would like to attend Murray
State University as a Kentucky resident. Is this possible?
A. If you are a dependent student, you may take the resident status of either parent, regardless of which parent claims you for income tax purposes or has official custody. In this situation, it will be necessary for you to provide documentation to verify
that your parent living in Kentucky is a resident according to Section 10 of the residency
regulation.
Q. I'm a currently enrolled student and my parents are moving out of KY. Will my residency
change?
A. A student's residency doesn't change as long as the student maintains continuous
enrollment at the same degree level. Once continuous enrollment is broken and must
be readmitted to the university or if the student changes degree levels, residency
is reassessed.
Q. I am married to a KY resident. How do I change my residency to in-state?
A. Complete the residency affidavit and supply the required documentation based on your
spouse's residency.
RESIDENCY FAQ: INDEPENDENT STUDENT
Q. What must I do in order to be considered an independent person who can establish
residency in Kentucky?
A. The student must submit documentation showing ability to provide the necessary financial
resources to provide their own sustenance, as defined in 13 KAR 2:045, without dependence
on student financial aid (grants, loans, federal work study, or aid) or financial
help for any other person (except a spouse) and proof of not being claimed by a parent
or other person (except for a spouse) as a dependent or as an exemption for federal
and state tax purposes. The conditions for independence are included in the residency
regulation along with definitions for “independence” and for “sustenance”.
RESIDENCY FAQ: FINANCIAL AID
Q. For financial aid eligibility purposes, the definition of independent status may
be different from that for residency. Which definition is to be used for residency
determination?
A. In cases where student financial aid information differs from that required for residency,
follow the KY residency regulation in making residency determinations. The federal
financial aid residency definition may differ from the state of KY regulation.
RESIDENCY FAQ: MILITARY
Q. What is the residency of a person (or parent or spouse) in the military?
A. Residency information for members of the armed forces can be found in section 7 of
the state regulation.
Q. How is residency status assessed for civilian employees of the military?
A. Residency guidelines for active military personnel do not apply to civilian employees
of the military. Their residency is assessed the same as any other non-military individual.
Q. Is a member of a foreign military who is on temporary assignment for special training
at a Kentucky military base eligible for residency?
A. No. 13 KAR 2:045 Sec. 7 refers to a member of the Armed Forces of the United States.
Residency status for a member of a foreign military is to be assessed in the same
manner as a non-military person.
RESIDENCY FAQ: MOVING FROM KENTUCKY
Q. How long after moving from Kentucky does it take to lose Kentucky residency status?
A. A person is presumed to lose Kentucky residency when steps are taken to establish
domicile and residency in another state and/or after a one-year absence from the state
unless the person can prove that Kentucky domicile and residency have been attained.
Q. How is it determined that a person has established domicile in another state?
A. The facts and conditions presumed in establishing domicile in Kentucky are the same
as determining domicile elsewhere.
Q. What is the residency of a high school student whose parent is transferred out
of state but the student remains in Kentucky to finish high school and attend college?
A. A recent high school graduate is presumed to be dependent and has the domicile and
residence of the parent. Therefore, the student entering college under these circumstances
is presumed to be a non-resident.
RESIDENCY FAQ: MOVING TO KENTUCKY
Q. How long do I have to live in Kentucky to become a resident for tuition purposes?
A. Although certain presumptions about residency refer to a period of twelve (12) months,
there is no specific time limit for establishing residency and domicile for tuition
and admission purposes. The student is responsible for providing convincing evidence
that residency and domicile have been established pursuant to Section 10 of 13 KAR
2:045. All information submitted will be reviewed in terms of compliance with the
residency regulation, and a written decision will be issued to the student.
Q. If a student attends a Kentucky high school but parents have resided in Kentucky
for less than one year, what is the residency status of the student?
A. This depends on the reason the parents moved to Kentucky. The dependent student’s
residence is the parent’s, and the parent must demonstrate residency according to
the regulation.
Q. What is the residency status of the student if the student, or parents of the student,
recently moved to Kentucky for employment reasons?
A. If there is documented evidence that the person received a job transfer to Kentucky,
or came to Kentucky because of acceptance of full-time employment, the person(s) could
be eligible for residency.
Q. What is the residency status of a student who graduated from an out-of-state high
school, is independent of parents, and has resided in off-campus housing for at least
12 months?
A. If independent status has been documented, the student’s residency must be evaluated
on the individual’s circumstance. The reason for coming to Kentucky, full-time attendance
at a higher institution, and other facts must be considered.
Q. Can a person be a resident of Kentucky if they have resided in the state for less
than one year?
A. Yes, depending on the reason for coming to Kentucky. The status of the person as
a full-time or half-time student and other facts are considered, not necessarily the
length of stay in KY. Mere physical presence in the state for one year is not sufficient
evidence to establish domicile and residency for tuition purposes.
RESIDENCY FAQ: PROPERTY OWNERSHIP
Q. Does owning property, purchasing property for my child to live in while enrolled
at MSU, owning a business, or working in Kentucky qualify a person for resident classification
for tuition purposes, although the person has not been residing in Kentucky?
A. Owning property, operating a business in Kentucky, or working in Kentucky does not,
by itself, qualify a person as a resident for tuition and admission assessment purposes.
“Domicile” means a person’s true, fixed, and permanent home and is the place where
the person intends to remain indefinitely.
RESIDENCY FAQ: VISA HOLDERS
Q. How is residency assessed for an applicant for admission who graduated from a Kentucky
high school, lived in Kentucky for at least twelve months, and holds a visa for which
residency may be established?
A. Persons holding one of the visas for which residency may be established are able
to establish residency the same as other individuals. If the person meets these criteria,
they may be assigned KY residency. For a recent high school graduate who is presumed to be a
dependent, residency is based on that of the parent.
Q. According to the previous interpretations, a non-citizen (resident alien) cannot
extend residency to a non-resident spouse who is here under the F – Nonresident Alien
Visa. Does this change in fact of marriage to a Kentucky resident override this fact?
A. No. The holder of an F Visa cannot obtain Kentucky residency by this means.
Steps for Applying for a Change in Residency for Current Students
STEPS FOR APPLYING FOR A CHANGE IN RESIDENCY FOR CURRENT STUDENTS
- Review the state policy on residency classification required for all KY state-supported postsecondary institutions.
- Review Murray State's policy on residency classification.
- Review Frequently Asked Questions about residency classification.
- After completing steps 1-3, if you feel you meet the qualifications for a residency change, complete the Residency affidavit. Read all the instructions carefully. Do NOT sign the front page until you are in front of a notary. The Office of the Registrar has a notary on-site.
- Gather copies of all the supporting documentation. The list of supporting documentation can be found at the end of the Residency Affidavit. TIP: Provide as much documentation as you can to prove the change in residency.
- Submit the affidavit and supporting documentation to the Office of the Registrar before the change of residency deadline - thirty (30) calendar days from the first day of the semester for which the application is being filed. See the Academic Deadlines for exact dates.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT APPLYING FOR A CHANGE IN RESIDENCY
- Allow two (2) weeks for review of your affidavit and documentation.
- Know the tuition deadline. Submitting a request for a residency change does not count as payment and will not extend the tuition deadline.
- Denial of a residency change will not result in a 100% refund if you choose to remain enrolled in courses past the 100% published refund deadline.
- Residency change decisions will not be applied to student accounts retroactively.
- If additional information is needed, the Residency Officer will contact you via your MSU email. Please respond to any inquiries about your residency appeal within five (5) business days. If the Residency Officer does not hear from you, this may be a reason for automatic denial.
- You will be notified of the official decision by mail.
- Every student has the right to appeal through the Residency Review Committee.
APPEAL PROCESS
- The appeal of the initial determination of residency is reviewed by the University Registrar. If the decision is Kentucky, or appropriate region/state and county, the appeal is finalized. If the decision is nonresident, the student may submit a written request within fourteen (14) calendar days, to further appeal to the Residency Review Committee.
- The Residency Review Committee reviews the determination made by the University Registrar. If the decision is Kentucky, or appropriate region/state and county, the appeal is finalized. If the decision is nonresident, the student may submit a written request, within fourteen (14) calendar days, to further appeal the determination made by the Residency Review Committee to the Office of the Provost for a formal institutional hearing.
- The Office of the Provost shall administer a formal hearing to review the determination made by the University Registrar and the Residency Review Committee. The Provost will issue a final written decision to the student. The case is closed.