The State Board recognizes three student residency categories: in state, out-of-state and noncitizen.

A student's legal residence shall determine the tuition rate paid by the student.

1. Students who are residents of the United States and otherwise qualify as Georgia residents shall pay tuition and fees prescribed by the State Board for in-state students.
   
   
2. Students who are residents of the United States but do not otherwise qualify as Georgia residents shall pay tuition and fees prescribed by the State Board for out-of-state students.
   
   
3. Students who are noncitizens and are studying at a Technical College shall pay tuition and fees at a rate four times that charged in-state students. These students are recognized as noncitizen students.

Tuition fees vary depending on the legal residency status of the student. A person's legal residence is their permanent dwelling place. It is the place where they are generally understood to reside with the intent of remaining there indefinitely and returning there after a temporary absence. Students are responsible for registering under the correct resident classification. Individuals who are classified by DeKalb Technical College as non-resident but who later claim to qualify as legal residents must file a "Petition for Georgia Residence Classification" form with the Registrar's Office. Residence status is not changed automatically, and the burden of proof rests with students to demonstrate that they qualify as a legal resident under the regulations of the State Board of Technical and Adult Education. Petitions for change in residency must be made prior to the beginning of a quarter to be effective that quarter. Petitions will not be accepted for past quarters. The following regulations have been adopted by DeKalb Technical College for the purpose of determining the residency status of students:

• A person 18 years of age or older may register as a resident of Georgia only upon showing that they have been a legal resident of Georgia for a period of at least twelve consecutive months immediately preceding the first day of the quarter. In the absence of a clear demonstration that they have established legal residence in Georgia, no emancipated minor or person 18 years of age or older shall acquire Georgia residence status for fee purposes while attending any educational institution in the state.

  A person under 18 years of age may register as a Georgia resident only upon showing that the supporting parent or guardian has been a legal resident of the state of Georgia for a period of at least twelve months immediately preceding the first day of the quarter.

  A person who is not a United States born or naturalized citizen of the United States shall be classified as a non-citizen student. A permanent resident alien who is living in this country under a visa permitting permanent residence shall have the same privilege of qualifying for residence status for fee purposes as a resident of the United States. A permanent resident alien must show proof that they have lived in Georgia for a period of at least twelve consecutive months prior to the first day of the quarter.

  If the parents or legal guardians of a minor change their legal residence from Georgia, the minor may continue to take courses for a period of twelve consecutive months on the payment of resident fees. After the expiration of the twelve-month period, the student may continue registration only upon the payment of fees at the nonresident rate.

  In the event that a legal resident of Georgia is appointed as guardian of a nonresident minor, such minor will not be permitted to register as a resident student until the expiration of one year from the court appointed date, and then only upon proper verification that the appointment was not made to avoid payment of nonresident fees.

• Military personnel and their dependents stationed in Georgia and on active duty (except military personnel assigned to institutions for educational purposes) shall pay the same fees assessed residents of Georgia.

Students who enter DeKalb Technical College as nonresidents and subsequently qualify as legal residents must file a Petition for Georgia Residence Classification with the Registrar's Office. The student's residence status is not changed automatically. A request must be made for the change at the proper time, and the student must provide proof that they qualify for the change of residence status.