Domicile Eligibility

All applicants for admission to Northern Virginia Community College claiming entitlement to in-state tuition privileges are required by the Code of Virginia, 23-7.4, to complete the “Application for Virginia In-State Tuition Rates” section on the on-line application or with the NOVA form 125-30.

In-state tuition benefits are not automatic; you must complete the Application for In-State tuition when apply for admission or complete the Application for In-State tuition with the supporting documents listed below to the Student Services Center.

http://www.nvcc.edu/forms/pdf/125-030_pg3.pdf

To be eligible for in-state tuition, you must be domiciled in Virginia for a minimum of 12 months before the first official day of classes of the enrollment term. Domicile is defined as your "present, fixed home where you return following temporary absences and where you intend to stay indefinitely." In essence, domicile has two parts and you must meet both to qualify for in-state tuition. You must reside in Virginia and you must intend to keep this as your home indefinitely.

As a dependent, you have the same domicile as your parents or legal guardian. You are presumed to be a dependent of your parent or legal guardian if you are under the age of 24, unless you (1) are a veteran or active duty member of the U.S. Armed Forces; (2) are a graduate or professional student (beyond a bachelor's degree); (3) are married; (4) are a ward of the court or were a ward of the court until age 18; (5) have no adoptive or legal guardian when both parents are deceased; (6) have legal dependents other than a spouse; or (7) are able to present clear and convincing evidence that you are financially self-sufficient. Children and the dependent spouse of a Virginia domiciliary may be eligible for in-state tuition. Supporting documents and additional information may be required.

Non-U.S. citizens on temporary visas, in restricted classifications, or undocumented are not eligible to establish Virginia domicile and eligibility for in-state tuition.

Domicile Requirements

The College may review many factors and documents when determining your domicile. These original documents must be presented in person to any Student Services Center.

• Residence during the past 12 months prior to the first day of classes for the enrollment term.
• Filed Virginia State Taxes (VA 760 plus W-2)
• Virginia Driver’s License or Identification Card
• Virginia Department of Motor Vehicle registration.
• Voter registration card
• Employment Information (current pay stub)
• Eligible Visa Status (Passport and I-94)

However, the presence of any or all of these factors does not automatically result in Virginia domicile. The factors used to support a case for in-state tuition benefits must have existed for 12 months before the first official day of classes of the enrollment term.

Eligible Visa Status

The following visa categories are eligible to establish domicile:

A – Must present official letter from organization that includes: hire date, length of contract, title, dependents and address of employee in addition to the materials listed above (for parent and student).

G - Must present official letter from organization that includes: hire date, length of contract, title, dependents and address of employee in addition to the materials listed above (for parent and student).

H – Temporary Worker (or dependent).  Must present the original copy of the I-94, visa and official letter from employer that verifies employment status and contract length.

K – Must present documentation listed above

L – Must present documentation listed above

Asylee – Must present documentation listed above

Refugee – Must present documentation listed above

The following visa categories are NOT eligible to establish domicile:

B1/B2 – Visitor (Only eligible to enroll in Continuing Education courses)

F-1 – International Student (F-2 – Dependent of F-1)

H2/H3 – Temporary Worker (Dependent of H-2/H3)

J1/J2 – Exchange Visitor (Dependent of J1)

M1 – Vocational and non-academic student (Dependent of M-1)

O1 – Workers with extraordinary Abilities (Dependents of O-1)

R1/R2 – Religious Workers

Visa Waiver

OPT – Optional Practical Training

Change in Domicile Status

All domicile changes after the “census date” for the enrollment term will be reflected in the next semester’s tuition charges. Please check the schedule of classes for registration census dates.
Changes that may occur later in your residence, tax payment status, auto registration, etc., must be reported to the Student Services Center. Failure to report changes that could affect your domicile and eligibility for in-state tuition could result in the college’s billing you for tuition due and/or taking disciplinary action against you.

Domicile Appeal Process

If you have applied on-line for the in-state tuition benefit and have been denied, you MUST bring the aforementioned documentation into the Student Services Center for further determination of eligibility.

Next, if you have submitted supporting documentation regarding your domicile eligibility and the Student Services Specialist has determined that you are still in-eligible for the benefit, consult the Campus Registrar/Student Services Center Manager. If, the Campus Registrar/Student Services Center Manager determines that your status should not be changed, then you can appeal the decision to the Dean of Students at your home campus by submitting a domicile appeal package.

Domicile Information for Military Families

1. Active Duty Military Personnel (Service member)

TBD

2. Dependents

Provides that all dependents of active duty military personnel assigned to a permanent duty station in Virginia who reside in Virginia shall be deemed to be domiciled in the Commonwealth for purposes of eligibility for in-state tuition and shall be eligible to receive in-state tuition in Virginia. All dependents of such military personnel receiving in-state tuition shall be afforded the same educational benefits as any other individual receiving in-state tuition so long as they are continuously enrolled in an institution of higher education in Virginia or are transferring between Virginia institutions of higher education.

For consideration, please provide the following:

• Copy of service members orders to a permanent duty station in Virginia
• Valid Identification card for Military Dependent
• Proof of residence in Virginia (Lease/Settlement documents, utility bill, or Virginia Driver’s License)

These documents must be submitted to the Student Services Center.