Applying for In-State Residency
Students who were originally classified as out-of-state but have moved to Indiana may apply for in-state status for tuition purposes.
When you are admitted to Purdue Northwest, you are classified by the Office of Admissions as either a resident or a nonresident of the State of Indiana for tuition purposes. If you think you are classified incorrectly, or if you have moved to Indiana after you were admitted and feel you now meet the criteria to be reclassified as in-state, you can apply for resident-student status for tuition purposes.
How Do I Apply for Residence Status?
Step 1 – Review
Start by reading this very important information which will help you understand what qualifies as in-state status and which documents you will need to provide.
Multiple factors are considered in residency determination beyond the applicant physically residing at an Indiana address. You are strongly encouraged to review the definitions listed at the bottom of the University Regulations web page regarding the Residence Classification of Students for Tuition Purposes.
Step 2 – Complete
Complete and sign the Residence Classification form and make copies of supporting documents to submit with your form.
Step 3 – Submit
Submit the Residence Classification form and documents by mail or in person to the Office of the Registrar at Purdue University Northwest. Residence classification forms and documents are not accepted via email.
Do NOT send forms and documents to Purdue West Lafayette. Your completed application must be sent to one of the following addresses based on your home campus.
Office of the Registrar
2200 169th Street
Lawshe Hall, Room 130
Hammond, IN 46323
Office of the Registrar
1401 South US 421
Schwarz Hall, Room 120
Westville, IN 46391
Residency Application Deadlines
- Fall 2024 – Deadline has passed.
- Spring 2025 – PNW will accept applications through Tuesday, February 4, 2025 by 4:30 P.M.
- Summer 2025 – PNW will accept applications through Tuesday, July 8, 2025 by 4:30 P.M.
Definitions and Academic Status
Resident: For the purposes of this policy, a Resident is a Student who meets one the following criteria:
- A Student who is dependent upon his or her Parent(s) or Legal Guardian and whose Parent’s or Legal Guardian’s Domicile is in Indiana:
- for a Predominant Purpose and
- prior to the first day of classes of the academic semester or session for which residence classification is sought.
- An Independent Student whose Domicile is in Indiana for:
- a Predominant Purpose and
- at least 12 continuous months directly preceding the first day of classes of the academic semester or session for which residence classification is sought.
Independent: A status whereby a Student is responsible for his or her own financial needs, has not been dependent upon his or her Parent or Legal Guardian for financial support for at least 12 months and cannot be claimed as a dependent on anyone else’s personal income taxes.
Domicile: A person’s permanent home. A person has only one Domicile at a given time, although that person may maintain more than one residence at a time. Establishment of a new Domicile requires demonstration that the former Domicile has been abandoned with no intent to return. Regardless of age, a Student’s Domicile is assumed to be that of his or her Parent(s) or Legal Guardian until such time as the Student becomes Independent.
Predominant Purpose: Residence in the state of Indiana for a primary purpose other than attending an institution of higher education.
Helpful Information
- Incomplete Applications – Complete and sign the application. Unsigned forms and documents are considered incomplete and will not be reviewed until signed. You will be notified via the applicant’s PNW email.
- Notifications – An email containing a decision or request for more information will be sent to the applicant’s PNW email address within 30 business days from the date the application was received.