Residency
To be eligible for the resident tuition rate, students must meet the following requirements:
- Provide documentation of New York State residency for at least one year prior to the start of the semester
and
- Provide documentation of Rockland County residency for at least six months prior to the start of the semester or provide a Certificate of Residency from another New York State county
The Certificate of Residency is a form issued to the student by the county in which they reside verifying their place of residence. To qualify for a Certificate of Residency, students must have lived in New York State for the past 12 months. Residency is verified by the county in which they have lived for the six months prior to attending college. If they have lived in more than one New York State county during those six months, verification from each county will be required.
Note: A person does not acquire a New York State Domicile (Legal Residence) simply by being physically present in New York State for a period of 12 months or for the sole purpose of attending a New York State College or University. If your principal or permanent home has not been in New York State for a 12-month period immediately prior to the date you intend to enroll, you will be considered an out-of-state student for tuition purposes.
Any of the following is appropriate documentation of residency:
- Duration of the student’s physical presence in New York State
- State of residency of the student’s family
- NYS driver’s license or non-driver ID card
- NY State voter registration
- NY State motor vehicle registration
- NY State income tax returns
- NY State bank accounts
- Proof of ownership of New York State real property
Documentation must clearly demonstrate New York State residency for the year prior to the start of the semester and Rockland County residency for six months prior to the start of the semester. If a certificate is required, it should not be obtained more than two months prior to the start of the semester. Certificate applications are available from the Bursar and must be presented to the home county Treasurer’s Office. The legal residency of unmarried students under 21 years of age is deemed to be that of their parents.
Note: Students on F (student), B (visitor), J (exchange), C, D, H2, H3, M, O2, P, Q, R, or TN visas are not eligible for the resident rate of tuition. Persons holding a different immigration status should contact the Bursar at 845-574-4417. Permanent resident cards must be dated one year prior to the start date of the term to be eligible for resident tuition rates.
Students who fail to present documentation will be charged non-resident tuition.
It is the responsibility of the student, not the College, to prove residency.
All tuition and fees are subject to change without notice.