Out-of-state Students
As one of the most comprehensive community college systems in the country, Maricopa Community Colleges has designed each of our colleges to cater to a variety of interests from single courses, degrees, and community engagement opportunities. We believe that by offering opportunities to better our community, we are also gaining a better understanding of how to improve other communities.
Whether you're from Arizona, or the other side of the globe, we are interested in learning with you and from you.
Depending on your residency type, you may have to adhere to a certain set of laws, regulations, and forms to become a student. These must be completed first, as part of your enrollment process. Residency documentation must be provided to each college of attendance, generally in the Admissions and Records or Student Enrollment Services departments.
What Type of Resident Are You?
Maricopa County Resident
"Maricopa County resident" means an individual who lives in Maricopa County and has lived in the state of Arizona for at least one year prior (365 days) to the first day of the semester (as published in the approved MCCCD Academic Calendar posted online at ACADEMIC CALENDARS) and who is a United States citizen or in a lawful status. In-state residency must be established prior to county residency for those moving from other states. Refer to Section C for guidelines.
Out-of-county Resident
This residency type includes U.S. citizens, or persons within lawful status, who have lived in Arizona, outside of Maricopa County, for at least a year prior to the start date of classes. Also, if you’re a resident in either Apache or Greenlee counties, these counties have agreed to pay for your tuition at one of the state’s community colleges. Out-of-county residents must complete and submit the Arizona Out-of-County Residence Affidavit form to your chosen college’s admissions office. You will find website and contact information for each admissions office at the bottom of this page.
Out-of-state Resident & Foreign National
If you haven’t lived in Arizona for at least one year prior to the start of classes, are an F-1 nonimmigrant, or international student, you are considered an out-of-state resident. Please contact your chosen college’s admission office for necessary forms. You will find website and contact information for each admissions office at the bottom of this page. Please note that forms must be submitted by July 1 if you plan to enroll for fall semester classes and November 1 for spring semester classes.
Financial Aid Requirements
If you plan to apply for financial aid as part of the enrollment process, and you are a student who is an established resident or has lawful presence in the U.S., you may qualify for our scholarships or federal financial aid. Additionally, private scholarship funds held in and distributed by the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation may be available for eligible students.
Acceptable documents to establish lawful presence:
- An Arizona driver's license issued after 1996 or an Arizona non-operating identification license or an Arizona Instruction Permit
- A birth certificate or delayed birth certificate issued in any state, territory, or possession of the United States
- United States certificate of birth abroad
- A United States passport
- A foreign passport with a United States visa
- An I-94 form with a photograph
- A United States citizenship and immigration services employment authorization document or refugee travel document
- A United States Permanent Resident Card
- A United States certificate of naturalization
- A United States certificate of citizenship
- A tribal certificate of Indian blood