Residency Information
The University of Alaska Fairbanks offers residents of Alaska a discounted tuition
rate. In some cases, Alaska Residents may automatically qualify for the resident rate,
but in other cases, additional documentation is needed to verify residency in Alaska.
Admissions counselors are experts in the policies and requirements — connect with us for assistance!
Updates to Residency Policy
Summer 2024 Changes
Effective summer 2024 semester, courses during all three summer sessions will be subject to nonresident surcharge, meaning tuition rates for summer courses will be charged at the same rates as fall and spring courses. The nonresident surcharge will no longer be waived.
August 2023 Changes
UAF has made the following changes to establishing residency for tuition purposes:
- Effective fall 2023 semester, students are eligible to receive resident tuition if they have established residency in Alaska for 1 year, changed from 2 years.
- Students must reside principally in Alaska and not be out-of-state for more than 90 days during the previous 12-month period, changed from 120 days over 24 months.
- Effective fall 2023 semester, students who are Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) students during their undergraduate program will be eligible for residency during graduate programs at UAF.
- Effective fall 2023 semester, dependent children of alumni are no longer automatically eligible for residency.
- Effective spring 2024 semester, students taking 4 credits or fewer will be required to pay the nonresident tuition surcharge, unless they meet qualifications for resident tuition.
These changes do not apply retroactively to previous semester tuition.
If you have questions about how these changes effect your residency or tuition rate, or if you have submitted an application for resident tuition assessment and would like to check the status, email uaf-admissions@alaska.edu, call or text 907-474-7500.
Frequently Asked Questions
Residency is the tuition rate that a student pays while at UAF. Students can either pay resident, Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) or nonresident tuition.
Yes. A student is always able to appeal their residency if they believe they qualify. Cases for an appeal may include exceptions to policy due to specific circumstances, or errors in previous semesters. In your appeal, you'll describe the circumstances that lead to your appeal for consideration of residency.
Appeals are reviewed on a weekly basis by the residency appeal committee. A student might be asked for follow up or additional documentation as part of the appeal process.
The appeal process generally takes 1-2 weeks.
Selection for some UAF scholarships are based on previous academic success and the rate of tuition for which you qualify. If your residency changes, the amount of your Nanook Pledge, Nanook Commitment scholarship, Alaska Adventure award and other aid may change.
Courses offered through eCampus and CIS will still be assessed at the resident rate, regardless of the student’s residency status.
International students are generally not eligible for residency as the residency regulations define an 'eligible student' as a student who is eligible for the FAFSA. International students from UAF's sister cities are eligible for residency. Students who think they might be eligible even if they are an international student should contact the Office of Admissions.
