Admissions

In this Section

Residency Status

1. Demonstrated intent to permanently reside in Hawai`i (see below for evidences);
2. Been physically present in Hawai`i for the 12 consecutive months prior to the first day of instruction, and subsequent to the demonstration of intent to make Hawai`i his/her legal residency; and
3. The student, whether adult or minor, has not been claimed as a dependent for tax purposes for at least 12 consecutive months prior to the first day of instruction by his/her parents or legal guardians who are not legal residents of Hawai`i, unless in the case of divorced or legally separated parents, the parent legally claims the dependent and the other parent and student meet the Hawai`i residency requirements.

How do I prove that I am a resident?

The determination of residence requires a finding of objective fact, or physical presence, as well as subjective fact, which is the intent to establish domicile in Hawai`i while giving up any prior domicile.

The following actions are the most important, but no single act is sufficient to establish residency in the State of Hawai`i. The University will consider all actions to determine your residency status.

1. Filing a Hawai`i resident personal income tax form
2. Voting/registering to vote in Hawai`i
3. Proof of employment in Hawai`i
4. Ownership or continuous lease of a residence in Hawai`i

Any other actions that could prove domicile in Hawai`i are also considered.

Other legal factors in making a residency determination include:

1. The 12 months of continuous residence in Hawai`i shall begin on the date upon which the first overt action is taken to make Hawai`i the permanent residence. Residence will be lost if it is interrupted during the 12 months immediately preceding the first day of instruction.
2. Residency in Hawai`i and residency in another place cannot be held simultaneously
3. Presence in Hawai`i primarily to attend an institution of higher learning does not create resident status. A nonresident student enrolled for 6 credits or more during any term within the 12 month period is presumed to be in Hawai`i primarily to attend college. Such periods of enrollment cannot be applied toward the physical presence requirement.
4. The residency of unmarried students who are minors follows that of the parent or legal guardian. Marriage emancipates a minor.
5. Resident status, once acquired, will be lost by future voluntary action of the resident inconsistent with such status. However, Hawai`i residency will not be lost solely because of absence from the State while a member of the United States Armed Forces, while engaged in navigation, or while a student at any institution of learning, provided that Hawai`i is claimed and maintained as the person’s legal residence.

If I am a nonresident, can I attend school and establish residency at the same time?

All nonresident students who are newly admitted to the University of Hawai`i may be affected by a change in the University of Hawai`i’s policy regarding nonresident status for tuition purposes. The policy is in accordance with Chapter 20-4-8, Hawai`i Administrative Rules which states:

“Presence in Hawai`i primarily to attend an institution of higher education shall not create resident status. A nonresident student shall be presumed to be in Hawai`i primarily to attend an institution of higher learning...Continued presence in Hawai`i during vacation periods and occasional periods of interruption of the course of study shall not in itself overcome this presumption.”

1. Is enrolled for six (6) or more credits at any institution of higher learning in Hawai`i;
2. Was absent from Hawai`i for more than 30 days per year during school vacation periods;
3. Received student financial aid assistance based on residency in another state; or
4. Was a dependent of nonresident parent(s) or legal guardian.

Can non-U.S. citizens be residents?

Only aliens legally in the U.S. by consent of the U.S. government may be allowed to establish domicile in Hawai`i. This includes permanent residents (green cards).

Those persons in the U.S. on temporary visas, such as student, tourist, or visitor visas cannot be residents, since their stay in the U.S. is temporary, and their legal domicile is their home country.

Are there any exemptions to the residency requirements?

Yes. The UH Board of Regents has established exemptions which allow certain nonresidents to pay the resident tuition if they qualify as one of the following (documentation required):

1. United States military personnel and their authorized dependents during the period such personnel are stationed in Hawai`i on active duty.
2. Members of the Hawai`i National Guard and Hawai`i-based Reserves.
3. Full-time employees of the University of Hawai`i and their spouses and legal dependents as defined under Internal Revenue Service rules).
4. East-West Center student grantees pursuing baccalaureate or advanced degrees.
5. Hawaiians, descendents of the aboriginal peoples that inhabited the Hawaiian Islands and exercised sovereignty in the Hawaiian Islands in 1778.

In addition, the UH Board of Regents also allows citizens of an eligible Pacific Island, district, commonwealth, territory, or insular jurisdiction, state, or nation which does not provide public institutions that grant baccalaureate degrees to pay 150% of the resident tuition. These currently include the following: