FAQ

Your residency classification is determined by a review of all of the information provided on your admissions application in accordance with guidelines provided by SUNY’s Residency Policy. Your status as a non-resident is a result of one or more factors used to determine this classification.

Students may apply through the Office of Student Accounts to change their residency status. An application and supporting documentation must be submitted for review. The application, instructions and requested documentation are available on the Binghamton University Student Accounts webpage. 

The deadline to submit completed residency applications/documentation and resolve any residency issues is the course add deadline for the term/semester, generally the end of second week of classes for the major fall and spring semesters. 

No. The state guidelines prohibit retroactive residency decisions. You must apply by the deadline for the semester in question in order to be reviewed for residency for that semester.

Not necessarily. Residency for tuition purposes for the state universities is determined according to guidelines established by SUNY. The community colleges are not governed by SUNY and your classification as a resident at the community college may or may not be in compliance with current SUNY residency policy.

No. A person does not acquire a New York state domicile (permanent residency) only by being physically present in New York for the purpose of attending a New York state campus. It is presumed that a non-resident student’s presence in New York is primarily for the purpose of education and not to establish domicile. It is the responsibility of the student to overcome the presumption that they are in New York primarily for education purposes through the submission of objective evidence.

Your status will remain non-resident and any student wanting to be re-classified must initiate the process by contacting the residency office and submitting a petition by the appropriate deadline.

No. Any person requesting classification as a resident for tuition purposes must prove they meet SUNY requirements or that they meet one of the approved exceptions.

We do not expect you to work full time; however, if you wish to be considered a New York resident, you must show that you are financially independent (able to support yourself financially without the help of others). If you are not working or cannot show that your wages/financial aid/scholarships/etc. support your expenses, we assume that your primary purpose for living in New York is to attend school and you are receiving support from outside sources thereby making you an out-of-state student

If residency is pending after the student’s tuition is due, students are responsible for paying non-resident tuition and fees. Failure to pay the tuition will result in additional late payment fees. If residency is granted, the University will reimburse the tuition differential.

Ownership of real estate or payment of real estate taxes in New York does not necessarily qualify a student for residency for tuition purposes. Residency is based on a person’s domicile. If you own property or a business in New York but do not maintain a predominant physical presence in New York, you will be considered a non-resident.

Unless the relative is your court-appointed legal guardian, the relative’s residency status does not impact the decision. The same applies to living with family friends who are residents of New York.

Members of the U.S. Armed Forces, while on full-time active duty and stationed within New York State, as well as their dependents, are eligible for the resident tuition rate.

Dependents of full-time active duty personnel who are stationed outside NY State qualify for resident tuition if the service member's "Home of Record" is New York.

Veterans and their dependents are eligible for resident tuition if they meet the eligibility requirements for GI assistance, regardless of where they live.

For additional information, please refer to the SUNY Residency Policy.

The residency guidelines allow students to be considered residents if they have a court-appointed legal guardian who is a New York resident. However, setting up a legal guardianship with a New York resident in order to qualify for residency is not permitted. The burden of proof is upon the student to show that a legal guardianship was not arranged in order for the student to gain residency. In general, the expectation will be that the legal guardianship has been in effect for at least 12 months, and that the student has been financially dependent upon the legal guardian during that time. The student's relationship and involvement with his or her parents will also be a consideration. Submission of court documents will be required to evidence guardianship. 

In determining a person's eligibility for residency, the state guidelines are primarily concerned only with the 12-month period immediately preceding the term for which the student is applying for residency. The cumulative time a person lived in New York is not relevant if the person has been away from New York for more than the 12 months immediately preceding enrollment.

Only persons who are entitled to reside permanently in the U.S. are eligible to be residents for tuition purposes. These students must still prove they also meet current SUNY guidelines for residency. Temporary, non-immigrant visas do not allow an individual to obtain a permanent status in New York regardless of the length of the visa or the number of times it is renewed. Resident students that are issued a non-eligible visa type will be changed to non-resident.  

The determination of dependent or independent student status is important because it is the basis for whether the student has to submit their own documentation for residency (as an independent) or their parent's or guardian's documentation of residency (as a dependent).  

Independent students are not claimed as a dependent for federal and state income tax purposes by any person except themselves or spouse for the current tax year and for the tax year immediately prior to the year in which the application is made. Emancipated students are totally responsible for paying all of their educational costs. The amount of income claimed by the student must equal or exceed educational expenses, including those expenses associated with living in non-University housing. Loans or gifts from relatives, associates or friends, regardless of the terms are considered financial assistance and cannot be included as student income when determining self-support.

All other students who do not meet the above definition of an independent student shall be classified as dependent students for the determination of residency for tuition purposes. Dependent students are defined as individuals who are financially reliant and claimed on their parent’s/legal guardian’s latest tax returns. The burden of proof for residency will be on parents/legal guardians.

Self-support is defined as money you have earned through your own employment or loans obtained on your own credit, without a cosigner. Financial aid loans obtained without a cosigner can be considered in your income. A bank loan made to your parent who turns over the funds to you would not constitute self-support. A bank loan made to you with a parent or other adult cosigning would not constitute self-support. In most cases, a gift to you from a parent, grandparent, or other family member would not constitute self-support. 

Loans or gifts from relatives, associates, or friends, regardless of the terms, are considered financial assistance and cannot be included as student income when determining self-sufficiency; non-institutional loans or gifts made at or near the time the student is enrolled in an institution will also be considered financial assistance. “Bartering” for free room and board, or other services or necessities is considered financial assistance. A student who receives free room and board from a relative, associate, or friend is not deemed totally self-sufficient.

Students who hold domiciliary ties in any other state must change them to New York State. Part of qualifying for residency for tuition purposes is showing that you have established your domicile in New York State and have the intent to make New York State your permanent residence. Establishing legal ties such as a New York State driver license and relinquishing such ties from your previous domicile proves your intent to establish a permanent domicile in New York State. A delay in updating your documents to New York State will prolong the date of intent. You may review the New York State DMV policies on driver's licenses and car registration at http://www.dmv.ny.gv/resident/htm and https://dmv.ny.gov/registration/register-out-state-vehicle.