Residency

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At College of Western Idaho (CWI), residency status is used to determine tuition costs.

  • Your residency status is determined based on information provided during the admissions process.
  • Completing the Admission Application accurately and completely will ensure you are charged the correct fees for your classes. 
  • To review details pertaining to your residency status or see requirements for redetermination, please visit Resident Status for Tuition Purposes. 

Types of Residency

In-State / In-District

Permanent residents of the State of Idaho residing in one of the four community college districts in the state:

  • CWI (Ada and Canyon counties)
  • College of Eastern Idaho (Bonneville county)
  • College of Southern Idaho (Jerome and Twin Falls counties)
  • North Idaho College (Kootenai county)

In-State / Out-of-District

Permanent residents of the State of Idaho residing outside of the four community college districts in Idaho. Out-of-District Idaho residents may seek assistance from their county to pay the out-of-district portion of their tuition. Learn More

Out-of-State / International

Those with permanent residency outside of the State of Idaho.

down arrow icon See the Frequently Asked Questions below for additional information.

Residency Redetermination

To change your residency status, please submit a Residency Redetermination Form to One Stop Student Services by the deadline. 

  • Fall semester – before the 10th day of instruction
  • Spring semester – before the 10th day of instruction
  • Summer semester – before the 5th day of instruction

Out-of-District Tuition Assistance

Students whose permanent residence is in Idaho but outside of Ada, Bonneville, Canyon, Jerome, Twin Falls, and Kootenai counties are charged out-of-district fees per semester in addition to in-district tuition and fees.

  • To request assistance with out-of-district tuition, submit a Certificate of Residency to your County Clerk for consideration for tuition and fee assistance.
  • Idaho counties without a community college district may pay the student’s out-of-district fees provided the student completes and submits a Certificate of Residency to Student Accounts and residency can be verified by the county of residence.
  • If verification is not received from the student’s county of residence, the student is responsible for out-of-district tuition and fees.
  • Idaho out-of-district students will need to complete a new Certificate of Residency form each academic year, and submit the form to the county in which they reside.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What does District Residency or Out-of-District mean?

    District residency is based on the county, not the state, of residence. A student can be both an in-state residence and be an out-of-district resident.

    College of Western Idaho (CWI) community college district is comprised of Ada County and Canyon counties. CWI is also a part of a statewide community college district that includes CWI, College of Southern Idaho (CSI), North Idaho College (NIC) and College of Eastern Idaho (CEI). These college districts include permanent residents of Ada, Bonneville, Canyon, Jerome, Twin Falls, and Kootenai counties.

    • Homeowners in these counties pay extra property tax to have these community colleges in their counties. 
    • Students whose permanent residence is in Idaho but outside of these six counties are charged out-of-district fees instead of paying for the colleges on their property taxes.
    • Out-of-district fees are charged at a rate of $50 per credit up to $500 per semester in addition to tuition and fees. 
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  • What if my residency status is incorrect or I recently moved in-district?

    If your residency status is incorrect or you recently moved in-district, you can submit a Residency Redetermination Form with the required documentation and the College will review your residency status.

    Residency Redetermination Form

    You must meet the in-district residency requirement in order for your residency redetermination to be approved including: 

    • Your permanent residence must be located within the boundaries of Ada, Bonneville, Canyon, Jerome, Twin Falls, or Kootenai counties.
    • You must have documentation proving that you have lived within the in-district county for at least 12 months prior to the start of the semester. All documentation* used to prove residency must have your name, your permanent Idaho address, and a date that is at least 12 months prior to the start of the semester.
    • Acceptable documents include but are not limited to
      • Idaho driver’s license
      • copy of a utility bill
      • bank statement
      • voter registration card
      • Idaho State Tax Return for the previous tax year
      • proof of home ownership or a copy of a lease agreement

    If you have questions about this form please email Student Accounts at studentaccounts@cwi.edu.

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  • What is the Certificate of Residency process?

    The student will fill out the form and send it to their county of residence. Once the county receives the form, they will attempt to verify the student’s residency. Once the form has been reviewed, College of Western Idaho and the student will be notified if the form was approved or denied.

    If approved, the out-of-district portion of tuition will be covered by the county. If denied, the out-of-district tuition will be the student’s responsibility to pay.

    Idaho Counties – Certificate of Residency Form

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  • What is the deadline for submitting the Certificate of Residency Form to the county?

    A Certificate of Residency form and all supporting documentation must be submitted to the county prior to Dec. 1 for fall semester and May 1 for spring semester.

    Idaho Counties – Certificate of Residency Form

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  • What is the difference between out-of-district and in-district tuition?

    Students who reside in Idaho and are in-district residents (per Idaho Statute 33-2110B) of Ada, Canyon, Twin Falls, Jerome, Bonneville, and Kootenai counties are considered in-district students. The community colleges in Idaho receive funding from these counties through property taxes and its residents receive the in-district rate.

    Students who reside in Idaho but are NOT in-district residents (per Idaho Statute 33-2110B) of Ada, Canyon, Twin Falls, Jerome, Bonneville, and Kootenai counties, are considered out-of-district students. These students are charged the out-of-district rate, which is the in-district rate, plus $50 per credit, up to $500 per semester. Students can seek assistance from their county to pay the out-of-district portion of their tuition.

    In order for the county to determine if you qualify for funding you must:

    1. Complete the Idaho Association of Counties – Certificate of Residency Form.
    2. Attach proof of residency to the form.
    3. Submit the form to your County Clerk by the due date.
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  • Why am I being billed as an out-of-state student?

    Students being billed at the out-of-state or international student rate are charged more per credit because the College does not receive additional funding from the State of Idaho to subsidize tuition. If you are an international student or an out-of-state student who resides in the state primarily for educational purposes, this rate is appropriate.

    You may also be charged this rate if you recently moved to the State of Idaho and have not established residency. Once residency has been established, students may request a change to the in-state rate by submitting a Residency Redetermination Form and appropriate documentation to One Stop Student Services.

    If you have questions about this process, please contact One Stop Student Services at 208.562.3000 or Student Accounts at studentaccounts@cwi.edu.

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