Financial Benefits of Becoming a Colorado Resident (Targeted Message)
We sent this email at 7 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 21, 2026, to first-semester students who were approved for in-state tuition under the domicile exception for honorably discharged veterans.
Dear [first],
You have been approved for in-state tuition as an honorably discharged veteran. ÌýWe’re reaching out with information about the potential financial benefits of also becoming a Colorado resident for tuition purposes.
Financial Benefits of Becoming a Resident
As an honorably discharged veteran, you’ll be assessed the in-state tuition rate through a military residency exception while attending ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½Æƽâ°æÏÂÔØ.
However, if you are 22 years old or older, married or a graduate student, you can begin taking steps now to become eligible for in-state tuition as a full Colorado resident. Colorado undergraduates are considered forÌýstate and ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½Æƽâ°æÏÂÔØ grants, which could increase your financial aid offer next year.
Pursuing Colorado resident classification is optional and will not affect your eligibility for the in-state tuition rate under the veteran exception.
Your Next Steps to Petition for a Residency Change
Step 1: Submit Your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
If you doÌýintend to become a Colorado resident and want to be considered for additional financial aid, submit your and any requested documentation. The FAFSA will be available October 1 for the upcoming school year. Learn more about applying for aid.
Step 2: Take Action to Establish Colorado Domicile
Your 12-month physical presence period began when you moved to Colorado. To proveÌýdemonstrate your intent to make Colorado your one, true, fixed and permanent home, you must:
- ObtainGet a Colorado driver’s license or ID card within 120 days of moving to the state.
- Register your vehicle, (if you have one,) in Colorado within 180 days of moving to the state to avoid penalties.
- Establish additional Colorado ties.ÌýVisit ourÌýadult residency page and watch theÌýÌýto learnreview the full requirements.
Step 3: Submit a Residency Petition
Use our residency calendars to determine the first semester for which you'd qualify for in-state residency.Ìý
Once petitions open for that term, submit your residency petition with all required documentation to the Office of the Registrar by the posted deadline.
Office of the RegistrarÌý|ÌýUniversity of Colorado Boulder
303-492-6970 (option 3) |Ìýtuitclass@colorado.edu