The information on this website听is considered to be general guidance and is not legal advice. Refer to the听 to view the actual law.

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Eligibility Criteria

An unemancipated minor (i.e., a dependent who has not yet reached the age of 23 by the first day of classes for the semester)听is presumed to have legal Colorado residency if they have a parent or legal guardian who resides in Colorado.

Parents

Residency requires that the parent has made听Colorado their permanent, fixed home for at least one year prior to the start of classes, regardless of whether that parent provides any actual support or has legal custody.

Guardians

Residency requires that:

  • Your guardian has legal custody of you as defined by Colorado Revised Statutes 搂19-1-103(73).
  • The court appointing the guardianship has certified that the primary purpose of the appointment is not to qualify the student for in-state tuition and that your parents do not provide financial support.
  • The guardianship has been in effect for at least one year prior to the start of classes.
  • The guardian has made听Colorado their permanent, fixed home for at least one year prior to the start of classes.

Petition Process

Step 1: Complete the TC 501 Course (Optional)

To prove Colorado domicile for your parent(s) or legal guardian(s), you'll follow a similar process to that of an听adult student petitioner, so听we听recommend completing our Tuition Classification听501听course.听If you don't have access to Buff Portal, please email听tuitclass@colorado.edu听for your next steps.

To access the course:

  1. Log in to 听(note: the course doesn't work well on mobile devices).
  2. On the , click "Start Skillsoft."
  3. On the Skillsoft home page, search for "CU: Adult Residency TC 501."
  4. Click "Launch" and complete the course.

Step 2: Submit a Parent Petition

Complete an adult petition and submit it to the Office of the Registrar with all听required supporting documentation during the听posted submisson period for that semester.

听 听 Download the听Paper Petition

The online petition听can't be saved听and accessed later, so you'll need to听gather your supporting听documentation ahead of time. All required documents must be saved听electronically as PDF, JPEG, TIFF or听PNG files, including your:

  • Colorado employment verification
  • Driver's license, state ID card or driver's history
  • Lease or deed to verify physical presence

  • Most recent income tax returns (state and federal)
  • Vehicle registration
  • Voter registration

Step 3: Respond Promptly to Any Requests

Monitor your email and to-do items听for important communications and听decisions. If you don't reply to a request听for additional information by the听stated deadline, your petition may be closed with no option for appeal.