What Students need to know about New York State Residency for purposes of tuition and fees:
1. Proof of residence for tuition purposes is the sole responsibility of the student. It is the student’s responsibility to verify their tuition billing rate and follow up with the Office of Student Accounts if they feel that it is incorrect.
2. Residency determinations cannot be processed retroactively.
3. Your resident or nonresident classification is determined for purposes of tuition and fees at the point of admission to the university.
4. The standard for residency makes it extremely difficult for most undergraduates who do not have a custodial parent domiciled in New York State to qualify for classification as a resident at the university.
5. New York State residency for the purpose of tuition and fees is centered on one’s legal domicile. For this policy, a domicile is defined as the place a person has voluntarily fixed the habitation of himself/herself, not for a mere special or temporary purpose, but with the intention of making a permanent home. In regards to that definition, the pursuit of an education is considered a special or temporary purpose. Furthermore, intention cannot be anecdotal or emotional in nature. Intention must be demonstrated clearly with the appropriate supporting documentation.
6. If you are an undergraduate student under the age of 24 and your custodial parent(s) or court ordered legal guardian are not New York State residents as defined by this policy, it is unlikely that you will be able to qualify as a New York State resident for purposes of tuition and fees.
7. The term ‘resident’ in the Residency Policy for Tuition Purposes comes from SUNY’s residence regulations and differs from other definitions of New York State residency. For example, a person who is a New York State resident for tax or voting purposes will not necessarily be a resident for purposes of tuition and fees. Financial Aid definitions of ‘resident’ may also differ. These other definitions of ‘resident’ do not confer in-state residency for purposes of tuition and fees.
8. You do not become a resident for purposes of tuition and fees simply by living in New York State for twelve months or more. The length of time you attend the university or live in the state of New York is not the sole or primary determining factor of residency. If you are in New York State solely or primarily for educational purposes (as demonstrated by registering for a full-time course load within the last 12 months), you will not be eligible for resident classification, regardless of the length of your time in the state of New York.
9. Second or multiple properties in New York State do not sufficiently demonstrate the standard for Residency for Tuition Purposes.
10. You normally cannot establish New York State residency for purposes of tuition and fees while maintaining ties to another state or country (e.g. state tax liability, driver’s license, voter’s or vehicle registration). Further, if you have moved to the state of New York primarily to attend an educational institution, you are here for educational purposes and so are not eligible for reclassification for purposes of tuition and fees.
11. In order to establish residency in the state of New York for purposes of tuition and fees, you must have the legal ability to establish a permanent domicile in the United States, meaning that you must be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States or maintain a qualifying immigrant status/non-immigrant status as outlined in section SUNY policy 7810 section IV.
12. It is your burden to prove, clearly and convincingly, that you have satisfied all applicable requirements in the Residency Policy for Tuition and Fees.
13. New York State statute does not provide for consideration of personal justification for documents not meeting the 12 consecutive months requirement. For example, “I have one document, but I did not get a driver license when I moved here a year ago because...”
14. Personal circumstances not pertaining to the Residency for Tuition Purposes policy, such as academic merit and financial hardship cannot be considered in evaluating whether or not you are able to qualify for New York State residency for purposes of tuition and fees.
15. Only specifically authorized personnel within the Office of Student Accounts at Binghamton University are qualified to answer questions or make determinations about residency for tuition purposes. Other University personnel are not authorized to supply information relative to residency requirements for tuition purposes.
