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Office of the University Registrar

Lawful Presence FAQs

To qualify for in-state tuition as a non-U.S. citizen, a student must demonstrate that they are "lawfully present" in the United States. While many individuals may have permission to remain in the country (an "authorized stay"), Texas residency regulations require specific legal statuses to meet the threshold for in-state classification.

No. While these terms may seem similar, they carry different weights in residency determinations. An authorized stay means the federal government is aware of your presence and is not currently seeking your removal. However, an authorized stay by itself does not automatically grant the "lawfully present" status required for in-state tuition eligibility.

This change comes from a new federal court ruling that impacts how Texas colleges and universities determine who qualifies for in-state tuition and Texas (TASFA) financial aid. 

On June 4, 2025, the state of Texas and the federal government agreed that some parts of the Texas Education Code — specifically those that allow in-state tuition for individuals who are not lawfully present in the U.S. — conflict with federal law. Because of this, a U.S. District Court issued a permanent order preventing colleges and universities in Texas from offering in-state tuition to students who do not meet certain legal residency requirements.

These changes do not affect your eligibility to attend the University of Houston and earn a degree.
Yes, students who are selected for competitive scholarships may still receive the competitive scholarship if available.
To be considered for the Competitive Scholarship Tuition Waiver (AKA Out-of-State Waiver) you must receive a qualifying competitive scholarship of at least $1,000 and be lawfully present in the United States to qualify for the waiver.
This change does not impact your admissions decision.
The TASFA application is only available for Texas Residents who are not eligible to submit the FAFSA.

To submit your documentation:

  1. Log in to AccessUH.
  2. Select myUH Self-Service.
  3. Click on the Academic Records tile, select Add a Lawful Presence eForm.

You will need a completed and notarized Residency Affidavit and one of the accepted documents to attach to the eForm.

Acceptable documents:

  • Unexpired Texas Driver's License
  • U.S. Passport
  • Unexpired Employment Authorization Document (EAD)
  • Permanent Resident Card (Green Card)
  • Valid I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record)
  • I-485 Receipt Notice (Application for Adjustment of Status) 
All students are encouraged to apply for scholarships. The 2025-26 UH General Scholarship Application is available at www.uh.edu/scholarships.
Cougar Promise eligibility requires students to be Texas Residents to qualify for Cougar Promise.

Yes, students in most academic programs are eligible for a reduced course load.

The University has several payment arrangements available to students. You can review these at: https://www.uh.edu/financial/payment/plans/ 

Please contact Student Business Services for more information and guidance regarding your situation at 713-743-1010, option 6.

Yes, enrolled students are eligible for University housing.
Yes, you can take a leave of absence. Undergraduates who sit out for four or more semesters will need to reapply to the University. Graduate and Professional students should seek guidance from their academic program.