Texas Residency Rules for State Aid

State law requires that students meet Texas Residency Rules in order to receive state aid. Please note that these rules are separate from citizenship rules for Federal Aid.

Please visit the state of Texas’ special site for Residency Rules here, and find the Texas Administrative Code Rule §21.24 regarding Residency here.

 

Applicants must demonstrate that they have established and maintained a residence in Texas according to the guidelines outlined below. The TX Higher Education Coordinating Board provides are three general ways to do this, but details differ for citizens and non-citizens:

US CITIZENS OR ELIGIBLE NON-CITIZENS

  1. High School/GED Pathway- Graduated from a Texas high school OR completed a GED at least 12 months prior to attending SMU AND resided in Texas at least 36 months prior to high school graduation/GED completion.

     

  2. Texas Public College/University Pathway– enrolled and paid resident (in-state) tuition at a Texas Public College/University, due to being classified as a Texas resident (without a waiver), at least 12 months prior to attending SMU.

     

  3. Supporting Documentation Pathway– Provide at least two items of supporting documentation to prove that applicant, or applicant’s parent (if a dependent as defined by TX Coordinating Board) has established residence AND continuously maintained a domicile in Texas at least 12 months prior to attending SMU. (FA office will request this documentation if necessary and explain which documents are acceptable).

 

NON-CITIZENS OR NON-IMMIGRANT STUDENTS AS DEFINED BY TEXAS HOUSE BILL 1403:

  1. High School/GED Pathway- Graduated from a Texas high school OR completed a GED at least 12 months prior to attending SMU AND resided in Texas at least 36 months prior to high school graduation/GED completion.

     

  2. Texas Public College/University Pathway– enrolled and paid resident (in-state) tuition at a Texas Public College/University, due to being classified as a Texas resident (without a waiver), at least 12 months prior to attending SMU.

     

  3. Supporting Documentation Pathway– Provide at least two items of supporting documentation to prove that applicant, or applicant’s parent (if a dependent as defined by TX Coordinating Board) has established residence AND continuously maintained a domicile in Texas at least 12 months prior to attending SMU. (FA office will request this documentation if necessary and explain which documents are acceptable).

 

 

  • Applicants in this category must submit a signed and notarized TX Residency Affidavit each year they are enrolled in and receive state aid at SMU.

     

  • If applicant is living in the US with a Visa, applicant must have an approved Visa as defined by the TX Coordinating Board. Click here for a full list of allowed and not allowed Visas for state residency.

 

REQUIRED RESIDENCY ITEMS FOR US CITIZENS OR ELIGIBLE NON-CITIZENS:

  • Complete Texas Residency Core Questionnaire (TXCORE) via smu.verifymyfafsa.edu to determine residency status
  • If requested by FA office, submit additional documentation (such as driver’s license, deed to property, etc.) to support claim to residency

REQUIRED RESIDENCY ITEMS FOR NON-CITIZENS OR NON-IMMIGRANT STUDENTS AS DEFINED BY TEXAS HOUSE BILL 1403:

  • If applying for TEG or TX College Work Study, submit the TASFA (Texas Application for State Financial Aid) to determine financial need (Expected Family Contribution, or EFC)
  • Complete paper or .pdf versions of Texas Residency Core Questionnaire (TXCORE) AND the TX Residency Affidavit
    • TX Residency Affidavit must be completed each year student is enrolled and receiving state aid at SMU
  • If requested by FA office, submit additional documentation (such as driver’s license, deed to property, etc.) to support claim to residency

STATE AID INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING PROGRAMS:

  • Tuition Equalization Grant (TEG)
    • Need based grant determined by Expected Family Contribution (EFC) on FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) or TASFA (Texas Application for State Financial Aid)
  • Texas College Work Study
    • Need based program for students to work and earn wages on campus or through SMU-sponsored employment off-campus
  • College Access Loan (CAL )
    • Credit-based loan administered by the state of Texas
    • If applicant is not a citizen, co-signer must be US Citizen or permanent US Resident
    • Because this is not need-based aid, FAFSA and TASFA are not required