It is the place where he or she is generally understood to reside with the intent of remaining there indefinitely and returning there when absent. There must be a concurrence of actual residence and of interest to acquire a legal residence. Because the overwhelming proportion of financial support for the operation of the public institutions of higher education in Georgia comes from the citizens through the payment of taxes, the determination of whether a student is classified as a resident or a nonresident of the state is a significant matter. The fees paid by resident students cover only about one-fourth of the total cost of their education in the University System. Therefore, Georgia taxpayers are contributing three-fourths of the necessary funds to provide quality education for the citizens of the state.
Students are responsible for registering under the proper residency classification.
Any student classified as a nonresident who believes that he or she is entitled to be reclassified as a legal resident may petition to the Records Office for a change of status. Final determination of Georgia residence classification prior to the final date for fee payment cannot be guaranteed for petitions received after the deadline date. If the petition is not filed by the deadline date, it must be filed no later than 2 weeks after the term begins in order for the student to be considered for reclassification for that term. If the petition is granted, reclassification will not be retroactive to prior terms. If a person is under 18 years of age, he or she may register as an in-state student only upon showing that his or her supporting parent or guardian has been a legal resident of Georgia for a period of at least twelve months immediately preceding the date of registration.