Navigating Out-of-State Tuition at MSU Denver

For many prospective students, the cost of tuition is a significant factor in deciding where to pursue higher education. Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU Denver) offers a range of options for both in-state and out-of-state students. Understanding the requirements for out-of-state tuition, as well as potential pathways to reduce those costs, is crucial for prospective students and their families.

Determining Residency for Tuition Purposes

At MSU Denver, a student's tuition classification as in-state or out-of-state is determined at the time of admission. This classification is based on the information provided on the application and adheres to the Colorado Tuition Classification Law (Title 23, Article 7, of the Colorado Revised Statutes). Once a student's tuition classification status has been determined, it remains unchanged unless clear and convincing evidence is presented to warrant a change.

Age-Related Considerations

MSU Denver uses two categories to classify applicants: those who are 19 years old and younger and those who are 20 years old and over. For students under the age of 23 the day before classes begin, their parent/legal guardian's information is used to determine residency (except where noted). Students over the age of 23 the day before classes begin must use their information (except where noted).

Establishing Domicile in Colorado

Domicile for tuition purposes requires two inseparable elements:

A permanent place of habitation in Colorado.
Intent to remain in Colorado with no intent to be domiciled elsewhere.

To qualify for in-state status for a particular semester, the student must prove that domicile began no later than one year prior to the first day of classes for that semester.

Evidence of Intent to Remain in Colorado

Several factors can serve as objective evidence of intent to remain in Colorado, including:

Payment of Colorado state income tax as a Colorado resident.
Permanent employment in Colorado.
Ownership of residential real estate property in Colorado.
Compliance with laws imposing a mandatory duty on any domiciliary of the state, such as the drivers’ license law and the vehicle registration law.
Registration to vote.

Any questions regarding the tuition classification law should be directed to the Tuition Classification Officer with the Office of the Admissions. If a student believes that they are entitled to in-state status, they must submit their request, along with evidence of in-state status, to the Office of Admissions by the published deadline dates.

Opportunities for Reduced Tuition

While initially classified as out-of-state, several avenues exist for students to potentially reduce their tuition costs at MSU Denver.

Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE)

Through WUE, students in western states/territories (AK, AZ, CA, HI, ID, MT, NV, NM, ND, OR, SD, UT, WA, WY, American Samoa, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana, Islands, Federal States of Micronesia, Guam, Republic of the Marshall Islands, and Republic of Palau) may enroll in many two-year and four-year college programs at a reduced tuition level. WUE tuition is considerably less than non-resident tuition. WUE is open to new students who meet both MSU Denver admission and WUE program requirements. New students applying for the WUE program must submit an application for admission by the admissions application deadline and a WUE application by the published census date of the student’s first semester. The student may be required to provide evidence of residency in one of the qualifying states. If the student is under 23 years of age, evidence of residency for both parent/guardian and student may be required. Students who are accepted in the program are ineligible to petition for in-state tuition during their time of attendance at MSU Denver.

Military Status

Students may be eligible for in-state tuition classification based on military status including active duty, veteran and National Guard.

Elite-Level Training Program

If you are participating in a Colorado-based elite-level training program approved by the United States Olympic Committee and a National Governing Body of an Olympic, Paralympic, Pan American or Para pan American sport, you may be eligible to receive in-state tuition, regardless of your permanent residency.

General Admission Requirements

Understanding the general admission requirements at MSU Denver is essential for all applicants, regardless of residency status.

Application Process

Applications can be submitted online at msudenver.edu/admissions or are available from the Office of Admissions located in the Student Success Building, Room 180 at 890 Auraria Parkway, Denver, CO 80204. A $25 nonrefundable application fee is required with the Application for Admission. It is the student’s responsibility to request that all required official credentials be sent directly from the issuing institution or agency to the Office of Admissions. The Admissions application and all credentials received by the university will be valid for two semesters beyond the term of application. After this time the files will no longer be maintained for applicants who do not complete their application, and for applicants who were accepted but did not enroll. Applications for Admission are considered in the order in which they are received each semester. All credentials received by the university become the property of MSU Denver and will not be returned to the student. It is the responsibility of the applicant to notify the Office of Admissions of any changes to the application prior to the first day of classes. If changes are not reported to the Office of Admissions, the registration process could be delayed for subsequent semesters. Failure to report academic changes may result in rejection, dismissal and/or loss of credit.

Required Credentials

Applicants will be admitted to MSU Denver by indicating on the application for admission they have graduated from high school or have earned an official GED (General Educational Development) certificate or the equivalent. In place of these credentials, official college transcripts from each institution of higher education attended showing completion of 24 or more transferable semester credit hours with grades of “C-” or better will be accepted. College transfer students should request to have college transcripts sent directly to the Office of the Registrar for transfer credit evaluation.

Applicants who have not graduated from high school but have passed and received the Colorado General Educational Development (GED) certificate with a score of 145 or higher on all four sections, or its equivalent will be accepted. ACT or SAT test results are not required with a GED, but if taken in the last five years of the semester start date, are highly recommended for advising and course placement purposes. Applicants with 24 or more transferable semester hours completed will be offered admission.

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Applicants who are 19 years old or younger on September 15 for either summer semester or fall semester, or on February 15 for spring semester, will be classified as traditional applicants. They will be considered for admission using the requirements described below. This information may be submitted at the end of the sixth, seventh, or eighth semester of high school, but an official, final transcript with date of graduation is required before the start of the initial semester of enrollment. Students should request the transcript and verify that the high school record with date of graduation has been received by the Office of Admissions.

MSU Denver makes admissions decisions with unofficial and self-reported academic information. When you applied to MSU Denver, you may have uploaded unofficial transcripts to your application account. After admission, official transcripts are required for review and record keeping. Please request your official GED scores or official high school transcript to be sent to our office. Additionally, once your final grades and date of graduation are posted, please request your final official transcript to be sent. Test scores are optional, but if you have transfer credits or ACT/SAT test scores, you may be exempt from an assessment exam in Math and/or English. You may also complete the First Year Writing Self-Directed Placement for enrollment in a First Year Writing course. You should complete any required assessments before Orientation.

Prior to attending, you will need to request that your official transcripts or GED scores be sent from your school or institution. Transcripts should have a posted graduation date and final grades.

International Students

Applicants who are international students (as determined by the Office of Admissions) seeking admission or to transfer need to submit the online Application for Admission. high school transcript/diploma. Any high school credential issued in a language other than English must be accompanied by a word-for-word certified English translation. This requirement is waived if the student can transfer 24 or more college credits to MSU Denver. Students must submit official college transcripts to qualify. college/university transcripts, a professional course by course translation and evaluation completed by a professional transcript evaluation service, in addition to the official transcript(s), will be required. Application deadlines for F-1 international students are typically earlier than those for other applicants.

An official secondary (high school) transcript or its equivalent showing the student’s graduation date, sent directly from the high school, if possible, is required. Unless the document is issued in English, both the original language and a certified English translation are needed. This requirement is waived if the student can transfer 30+ college credits to MSU Denver. Students must submit official college transcripts to qualify. must be professionally evaluated before being accepted.

Applicants who are current F-1 visa holders seeking to transfer or who are seeking initial F-1 student status need to submit the online Application for Admission. Transfer students are also required to submit copies of their I-20, I-94, and visa. Application deadlines for F-1 international students are typically earlier than those for domestic applicants.

Readmission

MSU Denver students who have not attended the university for three consecutive semesters must submit an application for readmission. The application deadline is at least one to two months before the start of the semester. To find out the exact application deadline date for your intended term of enrollment, please visit msudenver.edu/admissions. For the best possible selection of courses, students are advised to apply early.

Readmit students are defined as individuals who have previously enrolled and have received a grade or grade notation at the university but have not been in attendance at MSU Denver for three consecutive semesters, including summer. Submit a completed Application for Admission. Readmit students who originally attended MSU Denver prior to 1998 are required to resubmit all credentials.

Non-Degree Seeking Students

The non-degree-seeking student classification meets the needs of students who wish to take college courses, but who do not currently intend to work toward a baccalaureate degree at MSU Denver. With the exception of high school students who have completed the concurrent enrollment approval process, non-degree students must have graduated from high school or received a GED to qualify for admission. Non-degree students are not eligible for financial aid, nor will any college transcripts submitted be evaluated for transfer credit.

Additional Considerations

Orientation and Advising

All incoming degree seeking students new to MSU Denver are required to attend a New Student Orientation session. After orientation, first-time college students are also required to meet with an academic advisor. Depending upon a student’s submission of and performance on the ACT or SAT, placement tests may also be required and should be completed prior to attending orientation.

First-time college students are required to learn content for new students, you will need to sign up for an advising and registration session, and an orientation day. Attend the advising and registration session you signed up for and register for classes.

After orientation, first-time college students and transfer students 19 years old or younger are also required to meet with an academic advisor. Depending upon a student’s performance on the ACT or SAT, assessment tests may also be required and should be completed prior to attending orientation.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by using MSU Denver’s school code 001360. MSU Denver also offers scholarships awards based on academics, achievement and financial need. Undocumented and DACA students should complete the Colorado Application for State Financial Aid (CASFA) for state aid. Access your financial aid and scholarship award in your account on your Student Hub.

MSU Denver offers affordable, high-quality education with opportunities for scholarships, grants and financial aid, making it a valuable investment for your future. The College Opportunity Fund provides eligible students with a stipend that pays for a portion of in-state tuition. MSU Denver General Scholarship Applications offers hundreds of scholarships. Roadrunner Promise guarantees free tuition and mandatory published fees for eligible Colorado resident students with a family income below a certain threshold.

Health Insurance and Immunization

Health Insurance is a mandatory fee. All students are also required to submit their immunization records. International students are required to complete additional steps prior to enrolling at MSU Denver.

Cost of Attendance

Cost of Attendance (COA) is an estimate of how much it will cost a student to live and attend school for a semester or a nine-month academic year. This estimate includes both direct and indirect costs of attending the university. Direct costs are expenses students pay to the university, such as tuition and fees and on-campus housing. Direct costs will be billed to your MSU Denver account. Indirect costs are costs for educational-related expenses such as books and supplies, transportation, personal expenses, and off-campus housing and food. The initial estimated COA for an academic year assumes you will be enrolled full-time for fall and spring. Department of Education, the Colorado Department of Education (CDHE) guidelines and the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships (OFAS). Estimates are provided for general planning purposes only.

Appeals

The student may appeal to the Chief Enrollment Officer within five working days of the date of the decision. Such appeals shall be in writing and the student will be notified in writing of the outcome of the appeal within 15 working days.

The student may appeal to the Associate Vice President of Enrollment Services within five working days of the date of the decision. Such appeals shall be in writing and the student will be notified in writing of the outcome of the appeal within 15 working days.

Transfer Services

The Office of Transfer Services offers assistance to students transferring from other institutions to MSU Denver. Transfer counselors are available for walk-in counseling.

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