Ask HN: Can they deny my wife in-state student status in Arizona?

My wife and I got married about 6 months ago and now she wants to attend community college here. They have denied her in state status because she hasn't been living here for a year.

I'm concerned because before she went to apply I checked the laws and there is a clear exception if the person's spouse has been a resident for at least a year, they qualify for in state. I was born in Arizona and have been living here my whole life.

I would love to get some feedback to see if its worth pursuing this further.

Here is the excerpt from Arizona law (15-1802 B-4):

4. The person's spouse has established domicile in this state for at least one year and has demonstrated intent and financial independence and is entitled to claim the student as an exemption for state and federal tax purposes or the person's spouse was temporarily out of state for educational purposes, but maintained a domicile in this state. If the person is a noncitizen, the person must be in an eligible visa status pursuant to federal law to classify as an in-state student for tuition purposes.

http://www.azleg.state.az.us/FormatDocument.asp?inDoc=/ars/15/01802.htm&Title=15&DocType=ARS

The school in question is Scottsdale Community College (in Maricopa County). This law is also printed on the Maricopa site:

http://www.maricopa.edu/publicstewardship/governance/adminregs/appendices/S-1.php

Thanks in advanced for the advice!