Residency Requirements
Reclassification as a Resident of Tennessee
States differ in their regulations for classification of students for tuition purposes. In accordance with University policy, each applicant for admission to the College of Law is classified as a “resident” or a “non resident” based on the information provided in the application for admission.
Candidates for admission or students may be eligible for reclassification by providing “clear and convincing evidence of Tennessee domicile.”
Candidates for admission or law students who seek reclassification should be prepared to show proof that the move to Tennessee was not primarily for obtaining educational opportunities, if such proof exists. Candidates seeking reclassification should indicate any and all factors which support their request, including if they have a working spouse, immediate family in Tennessee, or previous history living in the state.
The College has been successful in reclassifying students who moved to Tennessee for the purpose of attending law school under these conditions:
- when a student's spouse has accepted employment in Tennessee
- when the student is a 3L and has accepted an offer of post-graduation employment with a Tennessee employer.
In limited cases, the College has been able to reclassify 2Ls students who have accepted clerkship positions with employers in Tennessee. These students have taken other steps that are common when establishing a new domicile, such as registering to vote in Tennessee, obtaining a Tennessee driver’s license, purchasing property in the state, etc. Often, these students have had a spouse who is employed in Tennessee.
For more information about residency, and for the Application for In-State Classification, click here.