Source: http://binghamton.edu/student-accounts-old/residency.html
Timestamp: 2015-03-03 15:04:41
Document Index: 488925557

Matched Legal Cases: ['§302', '§355', '§302', '§1101', '§355', '§1623']

Establishing New York Residency
The Colleges and Universities that comprise the State University of New York system were established to provide a quality education at a reduced rate for the benefit of qualified residents of New York State. As a matter of policy, the State University provided the benefits of higher education at a reduced cost to those students who are domiciled in New York based upon the quality and length of their presence in the State. Under State University of New York policy, legal residence means more than simply living in the state. More specifically, it means establishing a domicile as opposed to a temporary residence or physical presence incidental to enrollment in a college or university in the state. Students who are defined as New York state residents are those who, prior to the beginning of the semester, have established a permanent domicile in New York state. One does not acquire a new domicile merely by attending an institution of higher education in New York State. Procedure for Establishing New York State Residency for Tuition Billing Purposes
The initial residency determination is assessed during the admission application process. Students who have missing and/or conflicting information on their application are coded as non resident for tuition billing purposes. Also, any student for whom proof of residency is requested will have their status changed to non-resident until their residency status has been documented and approved. Once a newly admitted student has paid their admissions deposit, any inconsistency with their residency status is conveyed along with the admission deposit acknowledgment. This acknowledgement also provides instructions on the steps required to have their tuition billing status updated if they disagree with the initial assessment. It is the sole responsibility of the student to follow-up with the appropriate residency documentation with the Student Accounts Office. All students can view their tuition billing status when the bill is viewed or paid on-line. The deadline to resolve any residency issues and have their billing status changed is the end of the second week of the term for which the residency application is submitted. Any submission after this date will be reviewed and acted upon, however a successful determination will not affect the current term but the immediate future term of enrollment. There are no retroactive refunds as the student's status was appropriate for that semester. Determinations of residency status, both approved and denied, are emailed to the student's campus email account. If the documentation is denied, the explanation for the denial is explained in the email along with how to appeal the decision. If the student decides to appeal the residency decision, from the Office Student Accounts, the appeal will then go to the Residency Appeal committee for review. The committee's decision is final and is noted as such. The Student Accounts Office is not involved with the appeal process except for forwarding the student's residency documentation to the committee. How to apply for New York State Residency Status for Tuition Billing Purposes
Download the Application Form (click on the link below) and mail the application along with the supporting documentation, before the beginning of the semester for which you plan to attend, to:
Residency Applications (link to application)Student Accounts OfficeP.O. Box 6003Binghamton, NY 13902-6003
Students who wish to appeal their residency determination may file an appeal with the University Residency Appeals Committee, Binghamton University, PO Box 6000, Couper Administration Bldg., Room 609, Binghamton, New York 13902-6000, whose decision is final. Decisions made by the University Appeal Officer are final. Administrative Procedures ManualPolicy Title: Residency, Establishment of for Tuition Purposes Document Number: 7810 Effective Date: September 20, 2005 This policy item applies to: State-Operated Campuses
An emancipated U.S. citizen or permanent resident whose domicile has been in the State of New York for a period of at least one year immediately preceding the time of registration for any period of attendance shall be considered a New York State resident for the purpose of determining the tuition rate payable for such period. Generally, an unemancipated student's state of residency is considered the same as that of his or her custodial parent(s) or legal guardian(s). All other persons shall be presumed to be out-of-state residents for such purpose, unless domiciliary status is demonstrated in accordance with guidelines adopted by the University and in 8 NYCRR §302 (Tuition and Fees). Certain holders of non-immigrant visas may qualify for in-state tuition, as discussed in section V below.
1. Persons domiciled in New York State for twelve months or more: Emancipated individuals who have maintained their domicile in New York State for a period of at least twelve months prior to registration shall be considered New York State residents. Persons who have been physically present in New York State for at least twelve months but have maintained a fixed, permanent and principal residence outside of New York State shall not be considered New York State residents.
2. Persons domiciled in New York State for less than twelve months: Emancipated individuals who have maintained their domicile in New York State for a period of less than twelve months prior to registration shall be presumed to be out-of-state residents. These individuals may challenge this presumption by presenting sufficient evidence to prove that they have made New York State their fixed, permanent and principal home. (See section III.B, below)
III. Guidelines for Determining Residence
1. duration of the student’s physical presence in New York State;2. state of residency of the student's family (i.e., parents, spouse or children);3. New York State voter registration;4. New York State driver's license or non-driver identification card;5. New York State motor vehicle registration;6. proof of ownership of New York State real property;7. residential lease for property in New York State;8. New York State income tax returns; and9. New York State bank accounts.
Members of the U. S. Armed Forces who provide documentation showing that they are on full-time active duty and stationed in New York State shall be charged in-state tuition regardless of the actual location of their domicile. Spouses and dependents of full-time active duty personnel stationed in New York State shall also be deemed New York State residents for tuition purposes. (Refer to NYS Education Law §355 (Regulation of Tuition Generally) and 8 NYCRR §302 (Tuition and Fees).
1. Civilian employees of the military and their dependents are not eligible for exceptions 1 and 2 above.2. Certain non-resident students may be eligible for the resident tuition rate if they meet the following requirements:
a. are not non-immigrant aliens within the meaning of 8 USC §1101(a)(15), and
b. attended an approved New York State high school for two or more years, graduated from an approved New York State high school and applied for admission to the University within five years of receiving a New York State high school diploma; or
c. attended an approved New York State program for a General Equivalency Diploma (GED) exam preparation, received a GED and applied for admission to the University within five years of receiving the GED; and
d. if the student is without lawful immigration status, the student submits to the campus a notarized affidavit stating that the student has filed an application to legalize his or her immigration status, or will file such an application as soon as he or she is eligible to do so. (See NYS Education Law §355(h) (8)).
3. Students enrolled in institutions of higher education located in counties identified in FEMA Disaster Declarations 1603 (Louisiana), 1604 (Mississippi), 1605 (Alabama) who were displaced by Hurricane Katrina in August 2005 shall be charged the in-state tuition rate for the Fall 2005 semester regardless of the actual location of their domicile.
A student whose parents or legal guardian reside out-of-state may claim to be emancipated in order to qualify for in-state tuition. A student claiming emancipation must present evidence of both emancipation and a New York State domicile in order to be designated a New York State resident for tuition purposes. Proof of emancipation must include documentation demonstrating the student’s financial independence. Emancipation does not occur automatically when a student reaches18 years of age. Students under the age of 21 must provide evidence of one year of independent living in order to be considered emancipated. Factors relevant to the determination of financial independence include, but are not limited to, the following:
1. employment on a full- or part-time basis within New York State;2. sources and extent of financial support from parents or guardians3. sources and extent of other income;4. parents’ federal and state income tax forms which do not claim the student as a dependent (if the student continues to receive financial support, the student shall not be considered emancipated);5. student’s place of residence during the summer or other academic term recess;6. student’s status as financially independent for purposes of federal and/or state financial assistance;7. independent filing by the student of federal or state income tax return; and8. student’s assets and liabilities.
VI. Undocumented Aliens
Pursuant to the Federal Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. §1623), students who are unable to present valid documentation of their alien status are not eligible for in-state tuition rates. Effective July 1, 1998, aliens not lawfully present in the United States are not eligible on the basis of residence within a state for any postsecondary educational benefit unless citizens or nationals of the United States are eligible for the same benefit without regard to state residency. Certain undocumented aliens may be eligible for the resident tuition rate pursuant to section III.C (2) above.
Definitions Domicile – a fixed, permanent home to which an individual intends to return whenever absent. Emancipation – a student claiming emancipation must present evidence of both financial independence and a New York State domicile. For students under age 21, proof of emancipation must include evidence of one year of independent living.