2025-26 New Hampshire In-State Tuition Requirements: Complete Qualification Guide
To qualify for New Hampshire in-state tuition, students must establish domicile in New Hampshire for 12 consecutive months for purposes other than education. The 2025-26 in-state rate at UNH is $15,908 annually compared to $37,070 for out-of-state students—a savings of over $21,000 per year.
Prefer a shorter version? If you need a quick reference guide with just the essential requirements and deadlines, check out our New Hampshire In-State Tuition Checklist.
2025-26 University of New Hampshire Tuition Rates
Annual Tuition: $15,908
Per Semester: $7,954
Annual Tuition: $37,070
Per Semester: $18,535
Annual Tuition: $27,839
Per Semester: $13,919.50
Source: UNH Student Accounts Office, retrieved 2025-09-25. Fees additional ($3,774 annually for 2025-26).
The Short Answer: New Hampshire In-State Tuition Requirements
Who qualifies: Students (or their parents if dependent) who have been domiciled in New Hampshire for 12 consecutive months for purposes other than education.
Controlling statute: University System of New Hampshire Board of Trustees Policy BOT.IV.E, implementing state residency requirements.
Key requirement: Under BOT.IV.E.6.1, “No person shall be eligible for in-state status unless he or she has been domiciled within New Hampshire for 12 consecutive months immediately preceding registration for the term for which in-state status is claimed.”
Reclassification deadlines: September 1 for fall semester, January 1 for spring semester.
Appeals process: Campus residency officer → University System Residency Appeals Board.
New Hampshire In-State Tuition Residency Requirements
Domicile Definition
Under BOT.IV.E.2.2, “domicile” means “a person’s true, fixed and permanent home and place of habitation, to the exclusion of all others. It is the place where the person intends to remain and to which he or she expects to return when he or she leaves without intending to establish a new domicile elsewhere.”
Core Requirements
12-Month Domicile Rule (BOT.IV.E.6.1)
Students must be domiciled in New Hampshire for 12 consecutive months immediately preceding registration. This domicile must be established for purposes other than the temporary or primary one of obtaining an education (BOT.IV.E.6.4).
Dependent vs. Independent Students
Dependent students: Residency is based on parent/guardian domicile unless legally emancipated (BOT.IV.E.6.3).
Emancipation presumption: Students are presumed emancipated at age 24 (BOT.IV.E.8.1.1).
Evidence Considered (BOT.IV.E.6.6)
All evidence relevant to determining domicile is considered, including but not limited to:
- Payment of New Hampshire taxes
- Residence on tax returns
- Automobile registration
- Driver’s license state
- Voting residence
- Departure from New Hampshire during breaks
- Insurance claims based on out-of-state residence
- Qualification for in-state tuition in another state
How to Qualify for New Hampshire In-State Tuition
Establish New Hampshire Domicile
Move to New Hampshire for purposes other than education. Begin establishing ties like employment, housing, voter registration, and tax residency.
Maintain Domicile for 12 Months
Live in New Hampshire continuously for 12 months before the semester for which you’re claiming in-state status.
Complete Application
Submit “Notarized Residency Statement for New Hampshire Residents” with supporting documentation by deadlines.
Campus Review
Campus residency officer reviews application and makes initial determination.
Appeal if Necessary
If denied, appeal to campus residency officer, then to University System Residency Appeals Board.
Application Deadlines
- Fall Semester: September 1
- Spring Semester: January 1
Applications must be filed before the first day of the semester for which in-state status is sought.
Evidence & Documentation Checklist
Required Documents
| Document Type | What It Proves | Validity/Notes |
|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire Driver’s License | Legal residence and intent | Must be obtained within 60 days of establishing residency |
| New Hampshire Tax Returns | Tax domicile and financial ties | File as New Hampshire resident, not just for temporary purposes |
| Voter Registration | Civic engagement and intent to remain | Must list New Hampshire address as domicile |
| Employment Records | Economic ties to state | Continuous employment preferred over temporary positions |
| Lease/Property Deed | Physical presence and housing | Year-round residence, not just during school terms |
Special Circumstances and Exceptions
Veterans (RSA 187-A:20-c)
Immediate Eligibility
Under New Hampshire RSA 187-A:20-c: “A veteran of the armed forces who establishes a residence in New Hampshire shall immediately after establishing such residence be eligible for in-state tuition rates when attending any institution in the university system of New Hampshire.”
No 12-month waiting period required for veterans.
Military Personnel (BOT.IV.E.10)
- Active duty: Members stationed in New Hampshire under military orders qualify for in-state rates for themselves, spouses, and dependent children
- GI Bill users: Students using Ch. 30, 31, or 33 GI Bill benefits receive in-state rates while living in New Hampshire
- Survivors: Ch. 35 DEA benefit users receive in-state rates under the Colonel John M. McHugh Tuition Fairness for Survivors Act
Citizens of Freely Associated States
Citizens of the Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of the Marshall Islands, or Republic of Palau receive in-state tuition rates under the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024.
| Category | Qualification | Required Proof |
|---|---|---|
| Veteran | Establish residence in NH | DD-214, proof of New Hampshire residence |
| Active Military | Stationed in NH under orders | Military orders, proof of status |
| GI Bill User | Using eligible benefits while in NH | Certificate of Eligibility, NH residence |
| Freely Associated States | Citizenship verification | Passport biographic page, I-94 records |
Regional Tuition Savings Programs
Important: Price vs. Residency Distinction
Regional programs affect tuition price only and do not establish New Hampshire domicile unless explicitly converted by the institution.
New England Regional Student Program (NERSP)
New England residents in approved majors pay UNH in-state tuition plus 75% ($27,839 annually for 2025-26). Participating states: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
Key limitations:
- Available only for specific approved majors
- Must maintain approved major to keep rate
- Subject to change at any time
More information: UNH NERSP Program Details
Annual: $27,839
Savings vs. Out-of-State: $9,231
Annual: $15,908
Additional Savings: $11,931
Appeals Process and Decision Support
Two-Level Appeals Process (BOT.IV.E.11)
Campus Residency Officer Appeal
First level of appeal for students aggrieved by initial classification decision.
University System Residency Appeals Board
Final level of appeal comprised of four members designated by system institution presidents.
Appeals Board Composition (BOT.IV.E.11.3)
The University System Residency Appeals Board consists of four members designated by the presidents of each system institution, with rotating chair responsibilities.
Appeals Rights
- Present additional evidence
- Appear before the Board
- Receive written decision
- Board decision is final within the university system
University Contacts and Resources
UNH Registrar’s Office
Address: Stoke Hall 180
11 Garrison Avenue
Durham, NH 03824-3511
Phone: (603) 862-1500
Email: registrars.office@unh.edu
Residency: registration.durham@unh.edu
UNH Admissions Office
Phone: (603) 862-1360
Email: admissions@unh.edu
Services: Initial residency classification, application questions
Student Accounts Office
Services: Tuition billing, payment questions
Website: UNH Business Services
Official Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How long must I live in New Hampshire to qualify for in-state tuition?
Can I qualify if I move to New Hampshire just for college?
Do veterans get immediate in-state tuition rates?
When are the application deadlines for residency reclassification?
Can I appeal a residency decision?
What happens if my parents move out of New Hampshire while I’m in school?
Legal Disclaimer
Informational Purposes Only: This guide provides general information about New Hampshire in-state tuition requirements and should not be construed as legal advice. University policies and state statutes may change. Students should consult official university sources and qualified legal counsel for specific situations.
Methodology: Information compiled from primary sources including New Hampshire Revised Statutes, University System of New Hampshire Board policies, and official university publications. All citations verified for accuracy as of publication date.
Update Policy: Content reviewed quarterly or upon significant policy changes. Last reviewed: 2025-09-25. Last updated: 2025-09-25.
Sources and References
- University System of New Hampshire Board of Trustees Policy BOT.IV.E – Classification of Students for Tuition Purposes (Residency Rules). https://www.usnh.edu/policy/bot/iv-financial-policies/e-classification-students-tuition-purposes-residency-rules
- New Hampshire Revised Statutes Section 187-A:20-c – Waiver of Residency Requirement for In-State Tuition For Veterans. https://law.justia.com/codes/new-hampshire/title-xv/chapter-187-a/section-187-a-20-c/
- University of New Hampshire Registrar’s Office – Residency Classification. https://www.unh.edu/registrar/enrollment-records/residency-classification
- University of New Hampshire Business Services – Undergraduate Tuition & Fees 2025-26. https://www.unh.edu/business-services/tuition-fees/undergraduate-tuition-fees-durham-campus
- University of New Hampshire Admissions – New England Regional Student Program (NERSP). https://admissions.unh.edu/tuition-aid/new-england-regional-student-program-nersp
Data Retrieved: September 25, 2025