- Residence of a Minor
For purposes of determining whether a minor pay out-of-state or in-state tuition for attendance at the University, the residence of a person less than 21 years of age is that of the father, the mother or a general guardian duly appointed by a general guardian duly appointed by a proper court in Mississippi. If a court has granted custody of the minor to one parent, the residence of the minor is that of the parent who was granted custody by the court. If both parents are dead, the residence of the minor is that of the last surviving parent at the time of that parent’s death, unless the minor lives with a general guardian duly appointed by a proper court of Mississippi, in which case their residence becomes that of the guardian. A minor student who, upon registration at a Mississippi institution of higher learning or community college, presents a transcript demonstrating graduation from a Mississippi secondary school and who has been a secondary school student in Mississippi for not less than the final four years of secondary school attendance shall not be required to pay out-of-state tuition. This policy shall not apply to the residence of a person as it relates to residency for voter registration or voting.
- Residence of an Adult
The residence of an adult is that place where they are domiciled, that is, the place where they actually physically reside with the intention of remaining there indefinitely or of returning there permanently when temporarily absent.
- Removal of Parents from Mississippi
If the parents of a minor who is enrolled as a student at the University move their legal residence from the State of Mississippi, the minor shall be immediately classified as a non-resident student; such a change in classification shall not affect the tuition to be charged upon completion of the semester in which the move takes place.
- Residence Required
No student may be admitted to the University as a resident of Mississippi unless their residence, as defined herein above, has been in the State of Mississippi for a continuous period of at least 12 months preceding their admission.
- Residency Petitions
Non-residents may petition the University for a change of residency classification. A person who enters the state of Mississippi from another state and enters a system institution is considered a non-resident unless the person meets the residency requirements set out in subsection A. Provided, however, that any person who has attained 21 years of age and has thereafter actually established residency as define within subsection A above and resided within the state of Mississippi for 12 consecutive months after attaining 21 years of age upon sworn affidavit and other representation, may petition the particular institution for a change in residency classification for the purposes of fees and tuition assessment. The institution may make a reasonable inquiry into the validity of the petitioner’s claim. Such petition for change of residency must be made on or before the last day a student may register at the particular institution without penalty.
- Legal Residence of a Married Person
A married person may claim the residence status of his or her spouse, or he or she may claim independent residence status under the same regulations set forth above as any other adult.
- Children of Faculty or Staff
Children of parents who are members of the faculty or staff of the University may be classified as residents for the purpose of attendance at the institution where their parents are faculty or staff members.
- Active Duty Station in Mississippi
Members of the United States Armed Forces on extended active duty and stationed within the State of Mississippi and members of the Mississippi National Guard may be classified as residents, for the purpose of attendance at the University. Resident status of such military personnel, who are not legal residents of Mississippi shall terminate upon their reassignment for duty in the continental United States outside the State of Mississippi.
- Spouse or Child of Military Personnel
Resident status of a spouse or child of a member of the Armed Forces of the United States on extended active duty shall be that of the military spouse or parent for the purpose of attending the University during the time that their military spouse or parent is stationed within the State of Mississippi and shall be continued through the time that the military spouse or parent is stationed in an overseas area with last duty assignment within the State of Mississippi, excepting temporary training assignments en-route from Mississippi. Resident status of a minor child terminates upon reassignment under Permanent Change of Station Orders of the military parent for duty in the continental United States outside the State of Mississippi, excepting temporary training assignments en-route from Mississippi, and except that children of members of the Armed Forces who attain Mississippi residency in accordance with the above provisions, who begin and complete their senior year of high school in Mississippi, and who enroll full time at the University to begin studies in the fall after their graduation from high school, maintain their residency status so long as they remain enrolled as a student in good standing at the University. Enrollment during summer school is not required to maintain such resident status. The spouse or child of a member of the Armed Forces of the United States who dies or is killed is entitled to pay the resident tuition fee if the spouse or child becomes a resident of Mississippi. If a member of the Armed Forces of the United States is stationed outside Mississippi and the member’s spouse or child establishes residence in Mississippi and registers with the University, the University shall permit the spouse or child to pay the tuition, fees and other charges provided for Mississippi residents without regard to the length of time that the spouse or child has resided in Mississippi.
A member of the Armed Forces of the United States or the child or spouse of a member of the Armed Forces of the United States who is entitled to pay tuition and fees at the rate provided for Mississippi residents under another provision of this section while enrolled in a degree or certificate program is entitled to pay tuition and fees at the rate provided for Mississippi residents in any subsequent term or semester while the person is continuously enrolled in the same degree or certificate program. A student may withdraw or may choose not to re-enroll for no more than one (1) semester or term while pursuing a degree or certificate without losing resident status only if that student provides sufficient documentation by a physician that the student has a medical condition that requires withdrawal or non-enrollment. For purposes of this subsection, a person is not required to enroll in a summer term to remain continuously enrolled in a degree or certificate program. The person’s eligibility to pay tuition and fees at the rate provided for Mississippi residents under this subsection does not terminate because the person is no longer a member of the Armed Forces of the United States or the child or spouse of a member of the Armed Forces of the United States.
- Certification of Residence of Military Personnel
A military person on active duty stationed in Mississippi who wishes to avail themselves or their dependents of the provisions of (A) Active Duty Station in Mississippi must submit a certificate from their military organization showing the name of the military member; the name of the dependent, if for a dependent; the name of the organization of assignment and its address (may be in the letterhead); that the military member will be on active duty stationed in Mississippi on the date of registration at the University; that the military member is not on transfer orders; and the signature of the commanding officer, the adjutant, or the personnel officer of the unit of assignment with signer’s rank and title. A military certificate must be presented to the registrar of the University each semester at (or within 10 days prior to) registration each semester for the provisions of the (A) Active Duty Station in Mississippi to be effective.
