How long must you live in Montana before being considered a resident for college?

In most cases, a student must live in Montana for at least 12 months to quality for in-state tuition. For certain professional student exchange programs, the required length of time a student must live in the state increases to 24 months.

Simply moving to the state for a year does not guarantee residency. The required year of residency in the state often begins on the date a student receives a Montana driver's license, which must be acquired within 90 days of moving into the state. Additional ways to begin the year of residency include registering to vote, registering a vehicle, purchasing a home or filing a tax return in Montana.