The University of Colorado at Boulder Law School

Resident and Nonresident Classification for Tuition Purposes

New students are classified as residents or nonresidents for tuition purposes on the basis of information provided on the application for admission and other relevant documents. Applicants may be required to submit evidence substantiating their claim of resident eligibility.

The University of Colorado is a public institution and gives a slight preference to residents of Colorado. The majority of the applicants in any given year are nonresident, and competition for nonresident positions may be somewhat more intense. A preliminary determination of residency is made by the admissions staff on the application for admission. Final determination is made by the Tuition Classification Office. Nonresident students may establish Colorado residence by maintaining their legal residence in Colorado for 12 consecutive months. Once they have established Colorado residence, they qualify for the lower resident tuition rates.

Applicants and students who think their classification is incorrect or who have become eligible for a change to resident status must submit a petition with documentation to apply for a change to in-state status. The petition forms, brochure, and an explanation of the Colorado tuition classification statute are available from the:

Tuition Classification Coordinator
University of Colorado at Boulder
Regent Administrative Center 125
68 UCB
Boulder, Colorado 80309-0068
303-492-0907

Please direct questions regarding residency status to that office rather than to the Law School.

Tuition and Fees

The Board of Regents generally sets new tuition and fees each academic year and reserves the right to change them at any time. Annual increases tend to be 5-8%. For general information on resident and nonresident tuition, fees, and living expenses, visit our Facts & Figures. For detailed information regarding the current term's tuition and fees, visit the CU's Busar Office or the CU-Boulder Online Catalog. For more information on obtaining residency, visit CU's Office of the Registrar.

Students must pay their tuition and fees by the date indicated on their bill, approximately two weeks after the beginning of classes.

Students may elect to pay tuition and fees in two installments. The first installment must be at least half of the total bill. Payments are due approximately the second and sixth weeks of classes. To defer partial payment of tuition and fees, the Tuition Deferment Agreement located on the reverse side of the bill must be completed and returned to the Bursar's Office. Any deferred balances are subject to a finance charge of 1 percent per month on the unpaid balance, beginning on the first day of classes. All checks containing restrictive endorsements are null and void and nonbinding on the university. Complete information and regulations concerning failure to make timely payments of tuition and fees may be obtained from the Bursar's Office, 43 UCB, Boulder, Colorado 80309-0043, 303-492-5381.

Refunds of tuition and fees are available to students who officially withdraw from CU-Boulder. Refer to the Refund Schedule for exact dates and refund amounts.

*Student fees are allocated by the University of Colorado Student Union for a variety of purposes. Most of the proceeds are distributed to campus organizations. Payment entitles students to use the Student Recreation Center, UCSU Legal Services, and to participate in a variety of other services and activities. A portion of the fees is allocated to law student organizations.

Cost of Living

The CU-Boulder Financial Aid Office has detailed information regarding budgeting for living expenses.