Domicile Information

Military Families                 

The following is a summary of the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia domicile guidelines, based on the Code of Virginia, 23-7.4, as they relate to active duty military personnel and their dependents who may not otherwise qualify for in-state tuition privileges. These guidelines are subject to annual legislative review and change; normally changes take effect on July 1 of each year. In addition, the reauthorization of the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) in 2009 extended some in-state tuition benefits to individuals not previously covered under Virginia law. Contact a campus Student Services Center with any questions.

Dependents

The dependents of an active duty military member stationed in Virginia, the District of Columbia, or a state contiguous to Virginia, who reside in Virginia are eligible for in-state tuition and all other benefits of Virginia domicile, including eligibility for state scholarships and grants. Once a dependent establishes eligibility for in-state tuition under this provision, the individual remains eligible as long as he or she is continuously enrolled (fall and spring) in any Virginia college or university.

Under the provisions of the HEOA, the spouse and dependent children (but not any other dependents) of active duty military assigned to a duty station in Virginia (but not the District of Columbia or a contiguous state) are eligible for in-state tuition regardless of where they live. They are not, however, eligible for other benefits of Virginia domicile, including state scholarships and grants.

Complete the In-State Tuition Form for Active Duty Military and Dependents Living in Virginia (NVCC 125-115) and take it, along with the documents specified on the form, to a campus Student Services Center to claim this benefit. These documents must be provided before the first day of classes for the semester/term for which in-state charges are requested; otherwise the benefit will be effective for the following semester/term.