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Financial Benefits of Becoming a Colorado Resident (Targeted Message)

Who Received This Email?

We sent this email at 7 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 21, 2026, to first-semester students who were approved for in-state tuition under the domicile exception for honorably discharged veterans.

Dear [first],

You have been approved for in-state tuition as an honorably discharged veteran. ÌýWe’re reaching out with information about the potential financial benefits of also becoming a Colorado resident for tuition purposes.

Financial Benefits of Becoming a Resident

As an honorably discharged veteran, you’ll be assessed the in-state tuition rate through a military residency exception while attending CU °Ç¸ç³Ô¹Ï.

However, if you are 22 years old or older, married or a graduate student, you can begin taking steps now to become eligible for in-state tuition as a full Colorado resident. Colorado undergraduates are considered forÌýstate and CU °Ç¸ç³Ô¹Ï grants, which could increase your financial aid offer next year.

Pursuing Colorado resident classification is optional and will not affect your eligibility for the in-state tuition rate under the veteran exception.

Your Next Steps to Petition for a Residency Change

Step 1: Submit Your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

If you doÌýintend to become a Colorado resident and want to be considered for additional financial aid, submit your and any requested documentation. The FAFSA will be available October 1 for the upcoming school year. Learn more about applying for aid.

Step 2: Take Action to Establish Colorado Domicile

Your 12-month physical presence period began when you moved to Colorado. To proveÌýdemonstrate your intent to make Colorado your one, true, fixed and permanent home, you must:

  • ObtainGet a Colorado driver’s license or ID card within 120 days of moving to the state.
  • Register your vehicle, (if you have one,) in Colorado within 180 days of moving to the state to avoid penalties.
  • Establish additional Colorado ties.ÌýVisit ourÌýadult residency page and watch theÌýÌýto learnreview the full requirements.

Step 3: Submit a Residency Petition

Use our residency calendars to determine the first semester for which you'd qualify for in-state residency.Ìý

Once petitions open for that term, submit your residency petition with all required documentation to the Office of the Registrar by the posted deadline.

Office of the RegistrarÌý|Ìý°Ç¸ç³Ô¹Ï
303-492-6970 (option 3) |Ìýtuitclass@colorado.edu