Out-of-State Waivers

The Kennesaw State University (KSU) Waiver Administration Policy governs waiver administration. Waivers are granted only after required documentation to validate waiver eligibility from the requester and certification from an authorized approver is provided to the Office of the Registrar or Office of Fiscal Services (OFS). 

All waiver requests are evaluated for eligibility according to Georgia laws, the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia (BOR/USG) policy, and KSU policy.

Out-of-state waivers will also waive out-of-country tuition. A waiver does not reclassify a student as a resident. It deducts the out-of-state or out-of-country portion of the tuition down to just the in-state portion. The balance the student is responsible for paying is the in-state portion only. Waivers can be revoked if the student is no longer eligible resulting in the student being responsible for the out-of-state or out-of-country tuition due.

Waiver Types

  • The Office of the Registrar maintains a list of approved waiver types, which includes the type of waiver, eligibility requirements, and the authorized approving department.

  • An out-of-state tuition waiver may be granted based on qualifications listed below. Active-duty military personnel, and other members of a qualifying Federal service are defined in 20 U.S. Code § 1015d(d). The member, their spouses, and their dependent children must meet one of the following criteria: 

      1. The military or other qualified sponsor is currently stationed in or assigned to Georgia;
      2. The military or other qualified sponsor previously stationed in or assigned to Georgia is reassigned outside of Georgia, and the spouse or dependent child remains continuously enrolled in a Georgia high school, TCSG institution, or a USG institution
      3. The military or other qualified sponsor is reassigned outside of Georgia and the spouse or dependent child remains in Georgia;
      4. The military or other qualified sponsor is stationed in a state contiguous to the Georgia border and resides in Georgia;
      5. The military or other qualified sponsor stationed in or assigned to Georgia is reassigned outside of Georgia in the five years immediately preceding the first day of classes;
      6. Dependent children of a military sponsor if the child completed at least one year of high school in Georgia; or,
      7. Any student utilizing VA educational benefits transferred from a currently serving military member, even if the student is no longer a dependent of the transferor.

    Students may now continue to receive the Active Duty and Qualifying Members of Service Out-of-State Tuition Waiver provided they remain continuously enrolled. Any break in enrollment for a Fall or Spring term forfeits their waiver and must reapply or petition to change their tuition classification upon re-enrollment if they want to continue to pay in-state tuition.

  • As of the first day of classes for the term, a waiver may be granted to a non-citizen student who can provide clear evidence that they are stationed and living in Georgia under the orders of their government. The student may continue to receive this waiver as long as they maintain this assignment. This waiver will expire 12 months from the date the waiver was granted. An affected student must then provide current documentation that supports the continuation of the waiver.

  • As of the first day of classes for the term, an Economic Advantage Waiver may be granted to a dependent or independent student who can provide clear evidence that the student or the student's parent, spouse, or U.S. court-appointed guardian has relocated to the State of Georgia to accept full-time, self-sustaining employment and has established domicile in the State of Georgia. Relocation to the state must be for reasons other than enrolling in an institution of higher education. This waiver will expire 12 months from the date the waiver was granted. An affected student must petition for residency status after 12 months and must provide additional documentation according to established procedures at KSU. Non-Resident students who are lawfully present in the country on an employment-based visa may also be eligible for this waiver if they relocated to Georgia for the purpose of accepting a full time job offer in Georgia and are actively in process to achieve permanent residency in the United States (in green card process).

  • A student who, as of the first day of class, can provide documentation supporting that they or their spouse/parent/US court-appointed legal guardian are currently participating in active duty, stationed or assigned to Georgia with the Georgia National Guard, or is an active member of a Georgia based unit of the U.S. Military Reserves, may qualify immediately for an out-of-state tuition differential waiver. The student may continue to receive waiver provided they remain continuously enrolled. 

  • As of the first day of classes for the term, a Non-Resident Student waiver may be granted to a student under the age of 24 whose parent, U.S. court-appointed legal guardian, or spouse has maintained domicile in Georgia for at least 12 consecutive months preceding the first day of class. The student must provide clear and legal evidence showing the relationship to the parent or United States court-appointed guardian has existed for at least twelve (12) consecutive months preceding the first day of classes for the term. Under Georgia code, legal guardianship must be established prior to the student's 18th birthday (BOR Minutes, October 2008).

    A student over the age of 24 must show that their spouse has lived in Georgia for at least 12 consecutive months preceding the first day of class. This waiver is valid as long as the student remains continuously enrolled. Any break in enrollment for a Fall or Spring term forfeits their waiver and must reapply or petition to change their tuition classification upon re-enrollment if they want to continue to pay in-state tuition.

  • Separated military members from a uniformed military service of the United States who meet one of the following:
    1. Individual who within thirty-six (36) months of separation from such service enroll in an academic program and demonstrate intent to become domiciled in Georgia. This waiver may also be granted to their spouses and dependent children.
    2. Any separated service member or student utilizing transferred VA educational benefits and physically residing in the state of Georgia.
    3. Any student using VA benefits transferred to them from a military sponsor who died in service that falls under the 38 U.S.C. 3679
    Students may now continue to receive the Recently Separated Military Waiver provided they remain continuously enrolled. Any break in enrollment for a Fall or Spring term forfeits their waiver and must reapply or petition to change their tuition classification upon re-enrollment if they want to continue to pay in-state tuition.

  • As of the first day of classes for the term, a Full-Time School Employee waiver may be granted to Full-Time employees in the public schools of Georgia, the University System or Technical College System of Georgia, their spouses, and their dependent children. Teachers employed full-time on military bases in Georgia shall also qualify for this waiver (BOR Minutes, 1988-89, p.43). This waiver will expire 12 months from the date the waiver was granted. An affected student must petition for residency status after 12 months and must then provide additional documentation according to established procedures at KSU. 

  • As of the first day of classes for the term, a student enrolled in the Georgia Department of Labor Vocational Rehab program or the Veteran Affairs Vocational Rehab program may receive the Vocational Rehab Out-of-State Tuition waiver. The waiver is valid for the duration of time suggested for the student to attend on their vocational rehab paperwork provided the student stays continuously enrolled.

 

For information on the Military Fee Waiver or the Senior Citizen Waiver see the Bursars website.