Registrar

Requesting PA Residency

A student’s residence, or domicile, is considered “the place where one resides permanently or indefinitely” and is currently living according to the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education’s Student Domicile Regulations (PASSHE).  Students are considered Pennsylvania residents according to the regulations when they have lived in the state continuously for 12 months prior to registration at a PASSHE institution.

Students under 22 years of age are considered to be domiciled with their parents, meaning their residency will match that of their parents.

Students who are not U.S. Citizens and are on a non-immigrant visa or no visa, are presumed to not be domiciled, or are not residents of Pennsylvania.

Students receiving scholarships, loans or grants specific to another state, are presumed to not be domiciled in Pennsylvania.

What if the student believes the residency classification is incorrect?

Students may provide clear and convincing evidence that they are in fact domiciled in PA if they feel the determination of their residency is incorrect.  This means they must prove they are currently residing in the state, have been residing in the state and plan to reside in the state regardless of being enrolled at the institution.  For a list of documents that support such a claim, see the list of Required and Additional Forms below.  

Each student situation is unique.  The student should consider what documentation supports their residency and financial ties in the state.  Obtaining a driver’s license, registering a car and signing a lease in the state does not necessarily make a student a PA resident according to the policy.  The student must prove they are currently residing in the state, have been residing in the state and plan to reside in the state regardless of being enrolled at the institution.

Review of residency changes can be a long process that requires a fair amount of documentation.  Decisions can take up to a few weeks to be rendered.  Please review the Student FAQs below to answer many questions related to the residency process.

The deadline to request a change in residency is the last day of the add/drop period of the semester for the current semester.

Make sure to keep copies of all your documentation for future reference.  Do not submit original copies of leases, mortgages, auto information, etc., as those documents cannot be returned to you once submitted.

Required Forms

1.  Residency Classification Data Collection Form
   • Filled out completely including all sections related to financial history
   • Must be signed
   • Must be  notarized
2.  Letter from student explaining domicile change since original classification decision
3.  If under 22 years of age, letter from student's parent(s) or legal guardian(s) explaining domicile change since original classification decision that also includes the facts that establish the student's financial independence and separate residence that is notarized.

Additional Forms

If the student has copies of the documentation listed below they are strongly encouraged to supply all possible information.  If information is omitted, they may be asked to produce this documentation to aid in the review process.  Any documentation that cannot be provided should be addressed in the student letter with an explanation as to why it was not included in the materials.

Please note: This list is not exhaustive.  If you have additional documentation to help in your explanation that you are domiciled in the state, please include that with your Residency Classification Data Collection Form.  Because each student situation is unique, the student might have documentation to support their claim and we may not be fully aware.  Anything the student cannot include on the list below should be addressed in the student letter to accompany the Residency Classification Data Collection Form.

1. Federal taxes – most recent copy, signed, dated
   • Students age 21 years old and YOUNGER – Submit your parent(s) or legal guardian(s) tax returns
   • Students age 22 and OLDER – Submit your own tax returns
2. State taxes – most recent copy, signed, dated
   • Students age 21 years old and YOUNGER – Submit your parent(s) or legal guardian(s) tax returns
   • Students age 22 and OLDER – Submit your own tax returns
3. Copy of current lease, mortgage, or proof of home ownership
4. Copy of driver’s license
5. Copy of auto insurance
6. Copy of motor vehicle registration
7. Proof of bank account or written explanation if bank account is out of state
8. Copy of Voter Registration information
9. Proof of permanent, full-time employment in the state
10. Membership in any state-based civic or social organizations
11. If the student is not a U.S. Citizen
    • Provide ALL copies of information pertaining to immigration status

Student FAQs