In-State Tuition Without the One-Year Wait
C.R.S. 23-7-108.5 requires Colorado institutions to grant in-state status to an honorably discharged veteran who maintains Colorado domicile. Since 1 August 2021 the one-year residency wait is waived for veterans using Chapter 30 or Chapter 33 GI Bill benefits, regardless of how long ago they were discharged.
Verified August 27, 2026
What this benefit is
C.R.S. 23-7-108.5 requires Colorado institutions to grant in-state status to an honorably discharged veteran who maintains Colorado domicile. Since 1 August 2021 the one-year residency wait is waived for veterans using Chapter 30 or Chapter 33 GI Bill benefits, regardless of how long ago they were discharged.
What it's worth: Resident tuition without the one-year domicile wait
- C.R.S. 23-7-108.5 REQUIRES institutions to grant in-state status to honorably discharged veterans maintaining Colorado domicile. It is not discretionary.
- Since 1 August 2021 the one-year residency requirement is waived for veterans using Chapter 30 or Chapter 33 GI Bill benefits, regardless of time since discharge.
- A general discharge qualifies as well as an honorable one.
- What it saves is the out-of-state premium, which differs by institution — so no figure is published.
- Maintaining Colorado domicile is a continuing condition, not a one-off test.
Who is entitled to it
- You were discharged honorably.
- You are in Colorado.
Not sure whether that describes you?
Answer a few questions about this benefit specifically — we only ask what this one actually depends on, and we stop as soon as we know.
How to claim it
Deadline: At admission or enrolment- 1Petition the institution's residency office at admission rather than waiting a year — the wait is what this removes.
- 2Take the DD-214, and your Certificate of Eligibility if you are using Chapter 30 or 33 benefits.
- 3If the institution says you must wait a year, cite C.R.S. 23-7-108.5 — it requires them to grant the status.
- 4Keep Colorado domicile. It is a continuing condition of the classification.
- Form
- Residency classification petition
- File with
- Your institution's residency classification office
- Documents you will need
- dd214
- No renewal
- Once granted it does not need renewing.
Sources
- authority · published policyColorado Department of Higher Education — residency for tuition purposes (C.R.S. 23-7-108.5)
- operating · published policyColorado Division of Veterans Affairs
This finder provides an informational match, not a government eligibility determination. The responsible agency decides your application.