Beginning July 1, two new changes to Tennessee law will impact our residency rules for students. Both changes will take effect for students beginning fall semester.
The first change to Tennessee law allows veterans to qualify for in-state tuition and fees as long as they have not been dishonorably discharged from a branch of the United States Armed Forces or the National Guard and are eligible for Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits or Montgomery GI Bill benefits.
To be eligible, veterans must enroll within twenty-four months of the date of discharge as reflected on their certificate of release or discharge from active duty, Form DD-214, or an equivalent document.
Veterans will continue to qualify for in-state tuition and fees as long as they maintain continuous enrollment and, within a year of enrolling, demonstrate their intent to live in Tennessee by obtaining at least two of the following: a Tennessee driver’s license; a Tennessee motor vehicle registration; proof of established employment in the state; proof of voter registration; or other documentation approved by our office and the Tennessee Higher Education Commission.
If you have questions about this change, please contact Jayetta Rogers at 865-974-1189 or jrogers4@utk.edu.
The second change to Tennessee law provides us with new residency rules for certain students who are lawfully present in the United States (e.g., a U.S. citizen) but whose parents are not lawfully present in the United States (i.e., their parents are undocumented). We may classify students as Tennessee residents and charge them in-state tuition and fees if they (1) are a US citizen, (2) have graduated from a Tennessee public or private high school or have earned a Tennessee high school equivalency diploma, and (3) have lived in Tennessee for at least one year prior to their admission.
For questions about this change, please contact Anne Smethers at 865-974-1189 or asmether@utk.edu.