Residency Requirements

• Lake Washington Institute of Technology determines residency using the information provided on your admission application. Students with resident status may pay in-state tuition rates, which the State of Washington's Higher Education budget subsidizes. Students with non-resident status must pay a higher tuition rate that more closely approximates the actual cost of instruction. 
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Residency Classification

To be classified/reclassified as a resident, for tuition and fee purposes, students must establish bona fide domicile in the state of Washington for purposes other than education for the period of one year immediately prior to the classification as a resident. 

Non-resident students who are enrolled for more than six credits per quarter, shortly after arriving in Washington State, are presumed to be in Washington for primarily educational purposes. These students are not eligible for the in-state tuition rate until proven that they have established bona fide domicile and can provide all supporting domicile documentation, demonstrating establishment of at least one year prior to the quarter of application. 

If you believe you are a Washington State resident, but we were unable to determine your residency status based on the information you submitted on the Admissions application, see options below for establishing residency. 

Check the tuition waivers page to see if you qualify for a residency waiver.

Veterans

If you are a veteran, you may be eligible for Resident Tuition Rates. Please contact Veterans Services for more information on Veteran Education Benefits and provide a copy of your DD-214 to the Enrollment Service Office, West Building, W201.

Establishing Residency

Note: It may take up to two weeks to process a residency questionnaire or affidavit. 

Primary Option - Residency Affidavit

Students, including undocumented and DACA students, may complete the Residency Affidavit if they meet the following criteria:

1. Earn a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent before your first term at the college.
2. Maintain a primary residence in Washington for at least 12 consecutive months immediately before your first term at the college determining residency.

The Washington residence must be primarily for purposes other than postsecondary education. This means if you take more than six college credits (not including dual credit) in any one term after moving to Washington, you cannot count those terms as part of the 12 consecutive months of maintaining a primary residence (unless you prove postsecondary education was not the main reason for establishing a primary residence in Washington). 

To apply for residency: 

1. Complete the Residency Affidavit
2. Submit the document through our secure portal

Alternative Option - Residency Questionnaire - Only Complete This Process if Directed by an LWTech Staff Member

1. Review and print the Residency Checklist. Proof of residency may include the following documentation:
   1. Voter Registration Card
   2. Vehicle Registration
   3. Driver's License
   4. Bank Account
2. Complete the Residency Questionnaire and attach all required documents when submitting in Step 3
   • the Residency officer may deny incomplete questionnaires
3. Submit all documents through our secure portal

Residency Guideline Sources

Residency policies are set by the Washington legislature and applied uniformly throughout Washington's colleges and universities. For more details regarding residence classification, please reference the following links to read the relevant Revised Code of Washington and Washington Administrative Code.

• State Statute - RCW 28B.15.011-RCW 28B.15.015
• State Rules and Regulations - WAC 250-18-010 - WAC 250-18-06
• Bona Fide Domicile - WAC 250-18-030

For any questions or to set up an appointment you can reach the Residency Officer by phone or email. Please note, appointments will not be used to review questionnaires and documents. These appointments are only for answering questions or making clarifications and must be set up at least 24 hours in advance. All emails about residency will be sent to the student's email account.

Residency Office Information