SUNY New Paltz Guide to Resident Tuition Policy
Many parents and students are interested in understanding the requirements to qualify for the resident tuition rate at the State University of New York. The difference between the resident and non-resident tuition rates is significant. The requirements can be complex and students sometimes fall outside of the more basic examples and into the "gray area" of NY State residency. Please read this information carefully and if you have any questions regarding your residency, feel free to contact the Office of Student Accounts via e-mail at stuacct@newpaltz.edu.
According to SUNY Administration Procedures Manual Item 010.1, "A person whose domicile has been in the State of New York for a period of at least one year immediately preceding the time of registration...shall be a New York State resident for the purpose of determining the tuition rate payable for such period."
A domicile is a fixed, permanent home to which a person intends to return whenever absent from the Campus. A person may have many residencies, but only one domicile.
A person does not acquire a New York State domicile by being physically present in New York for the sole purpose of attending a New York College or University.
A person does not acquire a New York State domicile simply by being present in New York for a period of twelve months.
The domicile of a student who is not emancipated is that of his or her parents or other legal guardian.
ELIGIBILITY BASICS
As a State-operated campus, students are generally considered New York State residents if they have established their domicile in NY State for at least twelve months prior to the last day of the registration period.
1. Generally, individuals who have maintained their domicile in New York for a period of less that twelve months prior to the end of registration are presumed to be out-of-state residents and are not eligible for the resident tuition rate.
2. An individual who is financially dependent and whose custodial parent(s) live in a state other than New York is generally not eligible for the resident tuition rate.
3. Individuals do not meet the twelve-month residency requirement if domiciled in New York State for the sole purpose of attending college.
4. Dependent students of divorced or legally separated parents may acquire a NY State domicile if the custodial parent is a NY State resident, or if the student resides with a non-custodial parent who is a NY State resident and the student intends to continue to reside with that parent throughout his/her attendance at SUNY.
PROOF OF DOMICILE
Campuses rely on documents and circumstances such as the following to determine if an individual's domicile is in New York State. For financially dependent students, the campus relies on documents relating to parents or legal guardian.
1. Duration of physical presence in NY.
2. State of residency of the student's family.
3. NY State voter registration.
4. NY State driver's license.
5. NY State motor vehicle registration.
6. NY State real property ownership.
7. NY State residential rental lease.
8. NY State income tax returns.
Each individual SUNY campus is responsible for determining a student's residency status and tuition charge. The campus determination is final.
DOMICILE RULE EXCEPTIONS:
MILITARY STAFF AND OTHERS
Members of the US Armed Forces (and their spouses and dependents) who provide documentation that they are on full-time active duty and stationed in New York State shall be deemed New York State residents for tuition purposes. This exception also applies if a member of the US Armed Forces who is stationed outside of New York State submits proof that New York State is his or her official military home of record.
IMMIGRANT, NON-IMMIGRANT AND UNDOCUMENTED ALIENS
1. Students claiming to be immigrant aliens, lawfully residing in the US on a permanent basis, must present proof of their status by providing the campus with a valid Alien Registration Receipt Card. Once a student's immigrant status has been verified, the student may then establish New York State residency by meeting the domicile criteria.
2. Non-immigrants, who enter the US on a temporary basis for a specific purpose, are grouped in categories depending on the type of visa presented at the port of entry. Non-immigrants admitted to the United States in categories that prohibit them from establishing a United States residence are not eligible for resident tuition.
3. In general, the Federal Immigration and Nationality Act prohibits students who are unable to present valid INS documentation of their alien status from eligibility for the resident tuition rate. However, undocumented aliens who attend for at least two years and graduate from a New York high school may be eligible. See the campus for details.
EMANCIPATION OF A STUDENT
Emancipation does not occur automatically when a student reaches 18 years of age. Students must provide evidence of at least one full year of independent living in order to be considered emancipated. Emancipated students are totally responsible for paying all of their tuition costs, including the expenses associated with living in non-university housing. Students claiming emancipation must submit proof of emancipation, including both proof of income and evidence of parents' Federal and State income tax forms demonstrating that the student was not claimed as a dependent. The Office of Student Accounts commences consideration of a student's emancipation at a minimum of 23 years of age with few exceptions.
APPLICATION FOR NEW YORK STATE RESIDENCY FOR TUITION PURPOSES
Students who wish to be considered as a New York State resident for tuition purposes should complete the Residency Application below and send it to the Office of Student Accounts at 400 Hawk Drive, New Paltz, NY 12561. Please submit a minimum of three documents included on the Proof of Domicile list above and have the application notarized. The determination of your resident status will substantially depend on the information you provide. It is, therefore, your responsibility to ensure that all documentation that supports your claim is presented adequately and completely.
ยป Print the residency application *
IMPORTANT NOTES
Residency guidelines for the purpose of receiving a New York State TAP grant are not affected by any college residency determination. Residency for TAP purposes is determined solely by New York State HESC.
Each individual SUNY campus is responsible for determining a student's residency status and tuition charge. The campus determination is final.
Residency applications received after the mid-point of the semester will be considered for the following term.
