LAS VEGAS – The Board of Regents today unanimously approved recommendations that would enable the possibility for tuition refunds for students affected by the recent change in residency policy going back to 1995.

The Board’s action provides for voluntary refunds to affected students who submit their claims between January 2004 to December 2006, the three-year statute of limitations for the refund. Individuals who attended a UCCSN institution from September 1995 through December 2003 and believe they were incorrectly charged non-resident tuition instead of resident tuition are encouraged to submit a refund claim.

“Today we did what was not only right, but fair, for our students and the citizens of Nevada,” said Board Chair Stavros Anthony. “This was a critical issue that needed a rapid response and I’m happy to say that students are already receiving refunds.”

To date, 166 students have filed claims with 58 being approved, 57 pending and 14 denied.

The Board approved use of unallocated UCCSN investment income to fund the rebates so that no current student programs would be negatively impacted. Chancellor Jane Nichols was also directed to explore other funding options with state officials.

The UCCSN will publicize students’ rights to seek a refund through legal notices in newspapers, individual letters to last-known addresses, posters, Web sites, as well as notices in student newspapers, college newsletters and alumni magazines.

In 1995, the Board adopted a policy that required a one-year residency before students could qualify for in-state tuition. Nevada Revised Statutes state that individuals can gain residency after at least six months in Nevada.

Students who are Nevada residents are only charged registration fees, while non-residents are charged tuition and registration fees. For example, resident students taking 15 credits at UNLV or UNR are charged $1,275 based on a registration fee of $85 per credit. Non-resident students are charged the same $1,275 registration fee, plus $4,243.50 for out-of-state tuition.

At the community colleges, resident students taking 15 credits are charged $708.75 based on a registration fee of $47.25 per credit. Non-resident students are charged the same $708.75 registration fee, plus, $2,253.50 for out-of-state tuition.

The Nevada Board of Regents is the elected, 13-member governing body for the University and Community College System of Nevada. Comprising two doctoral granting universities, a state college, four comprehensive community colleges and one environmental research institute, the UCCSN serves the educational and job training needs of the nation's fastest growing state. As Nevada's only system of higher education, the UCCSN provides educational opportunities to nearly 98,000 students.

-30-