Residency Classification

Positions in the DVM program are designated by residency. 51% of the matriculating class is composed of Louisiana residents and 49% are from out-of-state, which includes Arkansas and Puerto Rico residents. Applicants are reviewed in individual residency pools: Louisiana, Arkansas, Puerto Rico, and Out-of-State/International. 

Louisiana Residency

The LSU School of Veterinary Medicine Office of Veterinary Admissions determines eligibility for classification as a Louisiana resident based on LSU System regulations and evidence provided on the application for admission and related documents. Regulations relate primarily to registration (e.g. drivers license, car registration, voter registration, etc.) as well as permanent address and place of employment. Louisiana applicants must meet all residence requirements, as stated in University regulations.

A resident is defined as one who has abandoned all prior domiciles and lived in the state of Louisiana continuously for at least one full year (365 days) immediately preceding the first day of classes of the term for which classification as a resident is sought.

Individuals living within this state for one year must be able to prove there was intent to maintain a residence in Louisiana. Residing in Louisiana solely for educational purposes without evidence of the intent to remain in Louisiana will not be sufficient for classification as a resident, regardless of the length of time within the state.

Those seeking residency in the state may not be enrolled in postsecondary coursework during the one year domicile period. See the appeals section below for more information. 

Intent of Louisiana residency includes:

  • financial independence from parents residing in another state or country
  • reliance on Louisiana resources for financial support
  • continuous presence in Louisiana during periods when not enrolled as a student
  • commitments indicating an intent to stay in Louisiana permanently
  • paying Louisiana income taxes as a resident during the past tax year
  • the absence of these indicators in other states during any period for which domicile in Louisiana is asserted

Special provisions have been made for adults moving to Louisiana for employment relocation purposes, military personnel stationed in Louisiana, and international students with immigrant visas. An international student on a student visa is classified as a nonresident. Resident classification and all fees are audited and adjusted, if necessary, after each registration. Appropriate credits or charges are then made to the student's account.

Appeals

The determination of residency status for DVM applicants is made by the LSU Vet Med Office of Veterinary Admissions. Louisiana residency appeals should only be submitted if one is reasonably certain that all of the criteria above are met. The LSU Vet Med Office of Admissions reviews each decision on a case-by-case basis. Candidates over the age of 24 and completing online prerequisite coursework not for a degree while living in Louisiana may be eligible for residency as long as other intent items have been met; otherwise, those seeking residency cannot be enrolled in coursework while establishing domicile. For additional information concerning the establishment of residency, contact us at svmadmissions@lsu.edu.

Arkansas Residency

Beginning the 2026 Application Cycle (applications due September 2025), the state of Arkansas will no longer sponsor new contract seats for Arkansas residents. Those who matriculate as a contract-certified student in the Fall of 2025 and prior will continue to received their contract sponsorship. No new contracts will be awarded in 2026.

To honor our longstanding history with the State of Arkansas and our network of LSU Alumni from Arkansas, Arkansas residents will be reviewed in a separate applicant pool for admissions consideration. Arkansas applicants will be eligible for non-resident positions only. Offers will be made to as many students deemed to be qualified and competitive for non-resident positions. The LSU Vet Med Office of Veterinary Admissions determines eligibility for classification as a resident of Arkansas based on evidence provided on the application for admission and related documents.

For Fall 2025 matriculating students: To be eligible for a contract seat, applicants from Arkansas must be certified as having residence as required by the state of Arkansas AND be one of the top 9 ranked applications at LSU Vet Med. If accepted as an Arkansas contract student, the candidate will be responsible for in-state tuition and fees. All Arkansas applicants admitted to the DVM program will received an out-of-state offer. The top 9 ranked admitted students will have their out-of-state offer converted to a contract offer if certification by ADHE has been verified. If a contract offer is decline, that contract offer will be extended to the next ranked candidate. If a candidate received a non-contract, out-of-state offer and declines that original offer, they will remain eligible as an alternate for a contract offer if it becomes available and they are the next ranked candidate. To received an Arkansas contract offer, applicants must complete the Arkansas Health Education Grant (ARHEG) application and received certification by the Arkansas Department of Higher Education (ADHE). The application is due July 1; however, timely completion of the application will expedite the receipt of the official contract offer, if made. Awarding of the grant by ADHE does not guarantee a contract position. The candidate also must be one of the top 9 ranked applications at LSU Vet Med that cycle. 

Arkansas Health Education Grant Application

Puerto Rico Residency

LSU Vet Med has a longstanding history with Puerto Rico. Although the contract seat program has been discontinued, LSU Vet Med welcomes Puerto Rican residents to apply. Residents of Puerto Rico will be considered in a separate applicant pool for non-resident positions in the DVM Program. The LSU Vet Med Office of Veterinary Admissions determines eligibility for classification as a resident of Puerto Rico based on evidence provided on the application for admission and related documents.

Out-of-State Residency

Applicants who do not meet any of the residency classifications above are considered out-of-state residents. This includes international applicants. If accepted as an out-of-state resident, the candidate will be contracted to non-resident tuition and fees for all four years of the program. Admission cannot be deferred for the purpose of establishing Louisiana residency and changing tuition classification. Out-of-state residents may establish residency during the application period if they have initiated residency at least one year prior to planned matriculation into the DVM program. A residency application may be required by the Office of Veterinary Admissions.