Gaining residency is a very important step in transitioning to our program! The reason? The psychology department will only pay your out-of-state tuition for one year (the first year you attend). Therefore, failing to establish residency can mean you having to pay out-of-pocket for the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition for as long as it takes you to establish in-state residence.
WHAT TO DO NOW
Plan to arrive to Fort Collins several weeks before classes begin. First of all, your lease must begin at least one day prior to the start of classes, and you must also have acquired a Colorado Drivers License and registered your vehicle in Colorado before this time. So it’s important that you get here early. The first thing you should do when you arrive to Fort Collins (in addition to unpacking, exploring town, hiking, etc.) is to get a Drivers License. The driver’s license office requires several proofs of identification. The following website (http://www.co.larimer.co.us/services/category.cfm?sv_id=5) will assist you in finding the most current requirements, the location of the DMV in Fort Collins (off of West Prospect), and will also explain the process of registering your vehicle. Once you have your Colorado Drivers License, you must then register your vehicle in Colorado. (In the past, some students have been able to get around this because the vehicle was registered in their parent’s name, however, it is highly recommended that you find a way to put the vehicle in your name so that when you petition the University for in-state residence, you will have no worries.)
TIP: Arrive to the DMV early! There is only one DMV in all of Fort Collins, and it is always busy. Also, you must go to the county courthouse in order to register your vehicle; therefore, getting your license and your car registered is NOT a one-stop shop, Give yourself an entire day to get this process taken care of, but remember that if you can get started early, it won’t be so painful.
TIP: You may also register to vote in the state of Colorado at the DMV! (When you receive your voter registration card in the mail, make sure you put it in a safe place since you’ll be asked to provide a copy of it as part of your petition to financial services.)
WHAT TO DO IN THE SPRING
Once you have documentation showing that you began residence before classes started (i.e., an official lease), have gotten your Drivers License and registered your car, you don’t have to do anything until the spring, when you complete the petition to Student Financial Services. Because this information is subject to change, it is best if you consult their website directly (http://sfs.colostate.edu). As part of your application, you will need to submit copies of all of the documentation mentioned above. You’ll also be asked questions regarding your residency and will be required to include a paragraph about why you want to live in Colorado. Even though you may be planning to leave once you’re finished with school, don’t say this in your paragraph. No worries, it’s very easy to come up with reasons why you would want to stay in Colorado. You’ll need to begin the process of petitioning for in-state residence around the beginning of your first spring semester here. The earlier you petition, the earlier you should hear back about whether or not you have been approved.
TIP: Find out early when the petition for in-state residence can be turned in and mark it on your calendar so you do not forget!
You will also find information about gaining residency in the I/O Student Handbook.
Establishing Colorado Residency
Gaining residency is a very important step in transitioning to our program! The reason? The psychology department will only pay your out-of-state tuition for one year (the first year you attend). Therefore, failing to establish residency can mean you having to pay out-of-pocket for the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition for as long as it takes you to establish in-state residence.
WHAT TO DO NOW
Plan to arrive to Fort Collins several weeks before classes begin. First of all, your lease must begin at least one day prior to the start of classes, and you must also have acquired a Colorado Drivers License and registered your vehicle in Colorado before this time. So it’s important that you get here early. The first thing you should do when you arrive to Fort Collins (in addition to unpacking, exploring town, hiking, etc.) is to get a Drivers License. The driver’s license office requires several proofs of identification. The following website (http://www.co.larimer.co.us/services/category.cfm?sv_id=5) will assist you in finding the most current requirements, the location of the DMV in Fort Collins (off of West Prospect), and will also explain the process of registering your vehicle. Once you have your Colorado Drivers License, you must then register your vehicle in Colorado. (In the past, some students have been able to get around this because the vehicle was registered in their parent’s name, however, it is highly recommended that you find a way to put the vehicle in your name so that when you petition the University for in-state residence, you will have no worries.)
TIP: Arrive to the DMV early! There is only one DMV in all of Fort Collins, and it is always busy. Also, you must go to the county courthouse in order to register your vehicle; therefore, getting your license and your car registered is NOT a one-stop shop, Give yourself an entire day to get this process taken care of, but remember that if you can get started early, it won’t be so painful.
TIP: You may also register to vote in the state of Colorado at the DMV! (When you receive your voter registration card in the mail, make sure you put it in a safe place since you’ll be asked to provide a copy of it as part of your petition to financial services.)
WHAT TO DO IN THE SPRING
Once you have documentation showing that you began residence before classes started (i.e., an official lease), have gotten your Drivers License and registered your car, you don’t have to do anything until the spring, when you complete the petition to Student Financial Services. Because this information is subject to change, it is best if you consult their website directly (http://sfs.colostate.edu). As part of your application, you will need to submit copies of all of the documentation mentioned above. You’ll also be asked questions regarding your residency and will be required to include a paragraph about why you want to live in Colorado. Even though you may be planning to leave once you’re finished with school, don’t say this in your paragraph. No worries, it’s very easy to come up with reasons why you would want to stay in Colorado. You’ll need to begin the process of petitioning for in-state residence around the beginning of your first spring semester here. The earlier you petition, the earlier you should hear back about whether or not you have been approved.
TIP: Find out early when the petition for in-state residence can be turned in and mark it on your calendar so you do not forget!
You will also find information about gaining residency in the I/O Student Handbook.