If you’re applying to Texas medical schools through the Texas Medical & Dental Schools Application Service (TMDSAS), you may have heard that Texas residents receive priority admission and significantly lower tuition rates compared to out-of-state applicants. But what qualifies you as a Texas resident? Can out-of-state applicants establish residency to receive in-state tuition?

At AcceptMed, we help applicants navigate the complex residency rules for Texas medical schools. Whether you’re a Texas resident, out-of-state student considering relocation, or someone with mixed residency status, understanding these policies is crucial for your medical school application strategy.

Why Texas Residency Matters for TMDSAS Applicants

Texas has some of the most affordable medical school tuition rates in the country, but there’s a catch:

• 90% of seats at public Texas medical schools are reserved for Texas residents.
• In-state tuition is significantly lower than out-of-state tuition, often saving students over $100,000 in total costs.
• Out-of-state applicants face much tougher competition, as they’re applying for a limited number of non-resident spots.

Example Tuition Differences:

• Texas Resident Tuition: ~$20,000 per year
• Out-of-State Tuition: ~$50,000 per year

Key Takeaway: Being classified as a Texas resident gives you a significant advantage in both acceptance rates and tuition savings.

How TMDSAS Defines Texas Residency

Texas residency for TMDSAS applicants is determined by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and is based on:

Residency by Domicile (Independent Applicants)

• If you are independent (not claimed as a dependent on anyone’s taxes), you can establish residency by:
  
  • Living in Texas for 12 consecutive months before applying AND
  • Demonstrating intent to stay in Texas permanently (e.g., working, paying taxes, leasing/renting property).

Residency by Dependent Status (Parents or Guardians)

• If you are claimed as a dependent on a parent/guardian’s taxes, you are considered a Texas resident ONLY if your parent/guardian has lived in Texas for 12+ months before your application.
• Your residency status is tied to your parent’s legal residency.

Key Takeaway: Living in Texas alone does not automatically qualify you as a resident—you must also prove you intend to stay long-term.

Can Out-of-State Students Establish Texas Residency?

If you currently live outside of Texas but want to qualify for in-state tuition, it is possible—but not easy. Here’s what you need to do:

Step 1: Move to Texas at Least One Year Before Applying

• You must physically reside in Texas for 12 consecutive months before you submit your TMDSAS application.
• Simply attending college in Texas does NOT count unless you also establish a permanent domicile.

Step 2: Show Proof of Intent to Make Texas Your Permanent Home

• Get a full-time job in Texas (remote work for a non-Texas employer doesn’t count).
• Register to vote in Texas.
• Obtain a Texas driver’s license or state ID.
• Change your permanent address on legal and financial documents.
• Lease or purchase a home/apartment in Texas.

Step 3: File Taxes as a Texas Resident

• File federal taxes as a Texas resident.
• If you are financially independent, do not list another state as your tax home.

Key Takeaway: Simply moving to Texas for a year won’t qualify you for residency—you must show clear intent to make Texas your permanent home.

What If You’re Attending College in Texas but Are Not a Resident?

Many applicants attend undergraduate or graduate school in Texas but are still classified as out-of-state because their parents live elsewhere. If this applies to you, here’s how you can establish residency:

1. Work Full-Time in Texas for 12+ Months

• Holding a part-time job or research position won’t count—you must have full-time employment to show financial independence.

2. Avoid Being Listed as a Dependent on Your Parents’ Tax Return

• If your parents claim you as a dependent and they don’t live in Texas, you will be considered a resident of their state.

3. Change Your Legal Address and Documentation

• Get a Texas driver’s license, register to vote in Texas, and update your banking and billing addresses to reflect Texas residency.

Key Takeaway: If your parents live outside Texas and you’re financially dependent on them, you won’t qualify for Texas residency—even if you attend college in the state.

Special Residency Classifications for Texas Med School Applicants

There are a few special cases where non-Texas residents can still qualify for in-state tuition:

1. Military & Veterans

• If you or your parents are active-duty military stationed in Texas, you may qualify for Texas residency.
• Veterans who establish Texas residency may also qualify for in-state tuition.

2. Non-Resident Waivers for Certain High-Achieving Students

• Some Texas medical schools offer tuition waivers that allow out-of-state students to pay in-state tuition if they receive a competitive scholarship.
• Check with individual schools for availability.

3. DACA and Undocumented Students

• Some Texas universities allow undocumented students to qualify for in-state tuition under special residency rules.

Key Takeaway: If you’re military-affiliated or qualify for a tuition waiver, you may be able to pay in-state tuition even if you’re not officially a Texas resident.

What If You’re a Texas Resident but Studied Out-of-State?

If you grew up in Texas but attended college in another state, you might still qualify for Texas residency.

If Your Parents Still Live in Texas:

• You are likely still considered a Texas resident for tuition purposes.

If You Moved Away for School and Became Financially Independent:

• You may need to reestablish Texas residency by living and working in Texas for a year before applying.

Key Takeaway: Leaving Texas for school doesn’t necessarily mean you lose residency—especially if your parents still live there.

How to Maximize Your Texas Residency Advantage

Qualifying as a Texas resident for TMDSAS comes with huge benefits—lower tuition and a higher chance of acceptance. However, simply living in Texas for a short time won’t be enough to establish residency. You need to prove long-term intent to stay in the state through work, legal documents, and financial independence.

• 90% of Texas public medical school seats go to in-state residents.
• In-state tuition is significantly cheaper than out-of-state tuition.
• To qualify, you must live in Texas for 12+ months AND prove intent to stay.
• Simply attending college in Texas does NOT automatically make you a resident.
• Full-time work, financial independence, and legal documentation help establish residency.
• Some students may qualify for tuition waivers or military residency benefits.