The Kansas Board of Regents has approved a strategic agenda for the state’s public higher education system, Building a Future. The plan centers the work of the system on helping Kansas families, supporting Kansas businesses and advancing the state's economic prosperity.

A person who is a Kansas resident for tuition and fee purposes is eligible for in-state tuition at state universities. Please read and consider the following FAQs to determine if you might qualify for in-state tuition.

1. Who sets policies regarding residency?
2. Where can I get a copy of these laws and regulations?
3. How is my residency status for tuition determined?
4. What is the basic rule regarding residency for tuition and fee purposes at state universities?
5. What if I used to be a resident but left the state and now have returned?
6. Can I become a resident while going to school full-time?
7. I've lived in Kansas for over year; am I a resident now?
8. I just married a Kansan; does that make a difference?
9. Can a foreign student become a resident?
10. Are there any special exceptions to these rules?
11. What should I do if I have been classified as a non-resident and I believe that is wrong?
12. Is it possible that I am not a resident anywhere for tuition and fee purposes?

1. Who sets policies regarding residency?
The laws and regulations regarding residency for tuition and fee purposes are established by the Kansas Legislature and the Kansas Board of Regents. State universities are required to follow these rules and may not establish their own. The Legislature’s and the Board’s rules are unique to residency for tuition and fee purposes at the state universities, and residency for other purposes, such as for community college tuition, may differ.

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2. Where can I get a copy of these laws and regulations?
All Kansas Statutes Annotated (K.S.A) can be found at the Kansas Legislature’s website: www.kslegislature.org. Kansas Administrative Regulations (K.A.R) are available from your Registrar’s office, but are also available here. Citations for the appropriate law or regulation will follow the questions below, so that you can read the source of the answers.

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3. How is my residency status for tuition determined?
Your residency status is initially determined by the Admissions Office working with the Registrar on your campus. The determination is based on the information provided in your application to the university. The Registrar’s decision is guided by the laws and regulations established by the Kansas Legislature and the Board of Regents. (K.A.R. 88-2-1)

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4. What is the basic rule regarding residency for tuition and fee purposes at state universities?
Generally, if you (or your parents, if you are a minor) have lived in Kansas more than one year (12 months), you have not been enrolled at a state university during that time, and you intend to stay in Kansas indefinitely, you will be considered a resident for tuition and fee purposes. In other words, you demonstrate that you have chosen to live in Kansas for at least 12 months because you want to make Kansas your permanent home and not just because you want to get in-state tuition. (K.S.A. 76-729 and K.A.R. 88-3-2)

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5. What if I used to be a resident but left the state and now have returned?
As of July 1, 2006, if you can prove you were a resident for tuition and fee purposes within the last five years (60 months) and that you have returned to live in Kansas, you will be deemed a resident for tuition and fee purposes. (K.S.A. 76-729 as amended by 2007 HB 2185 §10)

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6. Can I become a resident while going to school full-time?
Usually, no. Someone who comes to Kansas to go to a state university and who is a full-time student has to overcome a strong presumption that he or she is only here temporarily for the duration of the educational program. Overcoming that presumption can be very difficult to do while remaining a full-time student. The answer to the next question provides more information on the factors that may indicate intent to be a resident in Kansas. (K.A.R. 88-3-2)

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7. I've lived in Kansas for over year; am I a resident now?
Qualifying as a resident for fee purposes requires more than just being present in the state for a year. The Registrar will consider the following types of things, if they have existed for at least 12 months, to determine your intent to be a Kansas resident. No one factor alone is determinative of residency.

• Continuous presence in Kansas, except for brief temporary absences, during periods when not enrolled as a student
• Employment in Kansas
• Payment of Kansas state individual income taxes
• Reliance on Kansas sources for financial support
• Commitment to an education program that indicates an intent to remain permanently in Kansas
• Acceptance of an offer of permanent employment in Kansas
• Admission to a licensed practicing profession in Kansas
• Ownership of a home in Kansas

The following things, standing alone, generally do not establish residency.

• Voting or registering to vote in Kansas
• Employment in any position normally filled by a student
• Lease of living quarters in Kansas
• A statement of your intention to acquire residence in Kansas
• Residence in Kansas of the student’s spouse
• Vehicle registration in Kansas
• Acquisition of a Kansas driver's license
• Payment of Kansas personal property taxes

(K.A.R. 88-3-2)

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8. I just married a Kansan; does that make a difference?
It might. The residency status of married individuals is determined separately for each spouse, but if you have been married more than 12 months, it will be considered a factor in your application for residency. (K.A.R. 88-3-7 and 88-3-2)

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9. Can a foreign student become a resident?
Usually, no. Anyone who is here on a temporary visa—including student, training and practical experience visas—must leave this country once the purpose for which he or she was allowed to enter the county has been met. Not having permission to stay in the country permanently, such persons cannot demonstrate the requisite intent to make Kansas their permanent home. (K.A.R. 88-3-2)

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10. Are there any special rules for certain categories of individuals?
Yes, even if someone does not qualify for in-state tuition rates because they have not been a Kansas resident for twelve months prior to enrollment at a state university, subject to applicable requirements Kansas law allows in-state tuition rates for individuals including: certain Kansas high school graduates; veterans eligible for federal education benefits and current military personnel, and their spouses and dependents; people who have been recruited to work in Kansas and their dependents; residents who left but who re-establish their Kansas residence within five years; dependent students whose parents are divorced, as long as at least one parent is a Kansas resident for tuition and fee purposes; enrolled members of certain Indigenous American Tribal Nations; and certain employees of state universities and their dependents. (K.S.A. 76-729 and 76-731a; K.S.A. 48-3601; K.A.R. 88-3-8a, 88-3-9, 88-3-10, 88-3-11, and 88-3-13)

For assistance in determining the availability of in-state tuition rates pursuant to state law, please contact the Office of the Registrar at the institution where you intend to apply for admission. For more information on in-state tuition for military servicemembers and veterans, visit: http://www.kansasregents.org/students/military

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11. What should I do if I have been classified as a non-resident and I believe that is wrong?
If you disagree with the Registrar’s determination, you may appeal the decision to a residency committee at your university. The Registrar’s office has forms for you to use to file an appeal. The appeal must be filed within 30 days of the date you were notified of the determination. The determination of the residency committee is final and subject only to review by a court.

Note: The Board of Regents cannot change the determination of the Registrar or the residency committee. (K.A.R. 88-3-1)

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12. Is it possible that I am not a resident anywhere for tuition and fee purposes?
Yes. The information provided here only applies to residency decisions related to the tuition and fees charged by Kansas state universities. Different rules may apply to residency status in your home state or for other schools. The different definitions and rules applied by different states could result in your not being considered a resident of any state, for tuition purposes.

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A person who is a Kansas resident for tuition and fee purposes is eligible for in-state tuition at state universities. Please read and consider the following FAQs to determine if you might qualify for in-state tuition.

1. Who should take the Foundations course?
2. What is the cost to take the Foundations course?
3. How do I earn the stipend?
4. How are funds dispersed for the scholarship and stipend? 
5. How much time is required?
6. What content is included in Foundations?
7. Where can I take these courses? 
8. Are elementary Reading Specialists considered eligible for the KBOR-funded cohort?
9. Do principals working PreK-6th grade school settings qualify for participation?
10. Would an instructional coach based out of ESSDACK who works in several schools qualify?
11. Does a Transition Coordinator based at Campus High School who holds both K-12 Special Education and Reading Specialist licenses qualify?
12. If a 6th grade teacher works in a middle school setting, does that meet the PreK-6th grade requirement, or would their school setting affect eligibility?
13. Would a long-term substitute who holds an active teaching license and is currently placed in a classroom as a substitute be considered eligible?
14. Do virtual school administrators or educators qualify for the scholarship and stipend?
15. For educators who have completed both volumes of LETRS training but either did not pass the post-test or did not take an exam at all, would they still qualify for the KBOR-funded cohort?

1. Who should take the Foundations course?

This training is for PK-6 educators looking to deepen their understanding and application of Structured Literacy. Educators who do not yet have the Seal of Literacy on their license can use this pathway as a qualifying option to earn the seal. Educators who are enrolled in LETRS are encouraged to complete LETRS. 

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2. What is the cost to take the Foundations course?

The Kansas Board of Regents through the Blueprint for Literacy is providing a scholarship for tuition Kansas licensed and practicing PreK, elementary classroom teachers, special education teachers, reading specialists, ESOL teachers, PreK-6 grade librarians, PreK – 6 foreign language instructors and PreK-6 English Language Arts or Social Studies teachers. The tuition is for 6 hours of graduate credit from a Kansas public or participating independent college. 

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3. How do I earn the stipend?

Educators who successfully complete each course with an 85% or higher on the Key Performance and Summative assessment, qualify for a $500 stipend. 

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4. How are funds dispersed for the scholarship and stipend? 

Please visit our page on the Foundations Course here, for more details on how funds will be dispersed. 

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5. How much time is required?

Educators should expect to spend 2-3 hours of work outside the classroom, in addition to time spent attending class in person or virtually.  

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6. What content is included in Foundations?

This course will provide educators with a deep understanding of the Science of Reading and advances educator skills to apply the principles of structured literacy in the classroom. Emphasizing evidence-based practices, the course highlights strategies for supporting students with dyslexia, English language learners (ELLs), and students with exceptionalities. Knowledge and application are supported through literacy coaching throughout the course. The course is aligned with Standards 5, 6, and 7 of the Kansas Elementary Education (PK-6) Educator Preparation Program Standards and the International Dyslexia Association’s Knowledge and Practice Standards for Teachers of Reading. 

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7. Where can I take these courses? 

Principals/Administrators may take Foundations, but are not eligible for the scholarship or stipend. Administrators are expected to complete all aspects of the course, including the application assessments.

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8. Are elementary Reading Specialists considered eligible for the KBOR-funded cohort? 

Reading Specialists are eligible for the scholarship and stipend. However, a licensed Reading Specialist should already have the knowledge and skill to apply Structured Literacy. Taking the Reading Specialist licensure exam may be a more appropriate option. 

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9. Do principals working PreK-6th grade school settings qualify for participation? 

Principals/ Administrators may take Foundations but are not eligible for the scholarship or stipend.  Administrators are expected to complete all aspects of the course, including the application assessments.  

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10. Would an instructional coach based out of ESSDACK who works in several schools qualify?

It depends on factors such as the specific duties, frequency in schools and licensed areas. Please contact our team to discuss further. 

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11. Does a Transition Coordinator based at Campus High School who holds both K-12 Special Education and Reading Specialist licenses qualify?

No. The individual is licensed but is not practicing in a qualified position. If the individual is a licensed Reading Specialist, the licensure exam for Reading Specialists should be considered to obtain the Seal of Literacy. 

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12. If a 6th grade teacher works in a middle school setting, does that meet the PreK-6th grade requirement, or would their school setting affect eligibility?

Educators working with 6th grade students are eligible. 

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13. Would a long-term substitute who holds an active teaching license and is currently placed in a classroom as a substitute be considered eligible?

A licensed teacher in a long-term substitute teaching assignment in a PreK-6 environment is eligible. 

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14. Do virtual school administrators or educators qualify for the scholarship and stipend?

Principals/ Administrators may take Foundations but are not eligible for the scholarship or stipend.  Administrators are expected to complete all aspects of the course, including the application assessments.   

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15. For educators who have completed both volumes of LETRS training but either did not pass the post-test or did not take an exam at all, would they still qualify for the KBOR-funded cohort? 

Yes, educators who have completed (need to verify) LETRS training but did not pass the summative assessment at 80% are eligible for the scholarship and stipend. 

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For all other questions regarding the Foundations Course, eligibility, or tuition, please email Dr. Cynthia Lane at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..