Residency
Am I eligible for In-State Tuition Rates?
The Code of Virginia authorizes over a dozen individual paths for qualifying for in-state tuition. The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) provides “Domicile Guidelines” to assist persons who are potentially eligible for Virginia in-state residency and in-state tuition rates. Review the Domicile Guidelines that are provided by SCHEV.
How to Establish (Domicile)
The primary pathway to in-state residency and in-state tuition is through establishing “domicile”, meaning that Virginia is the person’s permanent legal home state, where they intend to remain indefinitely with no plan or expectations to leave and where they remain ties even during prolonged absence. See below information on “Basic Requirements” and “Domiciliary Intent”.
Basic Requirements
An individual must demonstrate legal residence in Virginia with an intent to remain in Virginia indefinitely to establish domicile in Virginia. After meeting the requirements to establish domicile, a person must continue to be domiciled in Virginia for at least 12 months preceding the first day of classes.
Domiciliary Intent
Several factors are used to determine if a person demonstrates intent to remain in Virginia indefinitely. Below is a list of information that may be requested in order to establish domiciliary intent:
• State to which income taxes are paid
• Voter registration and actual voting
• Driver’s license
• Motor vehicle registration
• Continuous residence in Virginia
• Social and economic ties
• Ownership of real property
• Sources of financial support
• Current employment
• Post-graduation employment in Virginia
• Military records