Financially Independent Students

The Traditional application for financially independent students is our most complex residency application. Use this application when a parent does not live in Washington state, and the student is not eligible using one of the easier options listed below. Compare the different residency applications. Take a Residency Quiz to see if you can use a different application.

Faster ways to apply for residency

Residency Affidavit. This application is preferred when the student has lived in Washington at least 12 months before starting college or took 6 credits or less during the 12 months prior to the term.
Military residency for military-affiliated students
American Indian residency
Financially Dependent residency. If a parent, step-parent, or legal guardian lives in Washington, filing as financially dependent can be faster and easier than proving financial independence.

Requirements

Residency for tuition purposes requires these actions:

  • Overcome Presumption. Move to Washington state for reasons other than education*, AND
  • Establish a domicile. Surrender previous state documents and obtain Washington documents, including state ID (REQUIRED), within 30 days, AND
  • Wait 12 months* from the date of moving to Washington, AND
  • Meet the financially independent requirements, AND
  • Apply for residency for tuition purposes and provide supporting documents.

*Students receiving the WUE/Cougar Award are presumed to be in the state for higher education purposes and may not use the time that they were receiving the WUE towards the 12 month waiting period.

Supporting Documents: Domicile

Required Items Checklist for Independent Students

Supporting Documents: Financial Independence

Required Items Checklist for Independent Students