Financially Independent Students: Traditional Application

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. Take the Residency Quiz to see if you are eligible for our other applications.

Financially Independent Eligibility 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 (REQUIRED), including identification, voter registration (if desired), and vehicle registration (if you drive) within 30 days, AND
• Wait 12 months from the date of moving to Washington or the date of last action to establish a domicile, whichever is later, 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

Supporting Documents: Financial Independence

Links & Resources

• Future Residency
• Residency Quiz
• Tax Documents
• Washington state documents
• Financial Information
• Other resources (notarized letters, best practices)

Required items checklist

Use the checklist to assemble your required documents.

Go to the Online Application page

Students 25 years of age or older

If you were at least 25 years of age for the entire academic year prior to submitting the residency questionnaire, you do not need to prove financial independence unless there is evidence that you did not pay at least 51% of the estimated Cost of Attendance as described for students under 25 years of age or that someone else did pay 49% or more of the estimated cost of attendance.

You must meet all other residency criteria and must obtain all Washington state documents 11 months prior to the first day of term you are seeking residency.