Eligibility Basics
At the State-operated campuses (University Centers, University Colleges, and Technology Colleges), students are generally considered New York State residents if they have established their domicile in NY State for at least twelve months prior to the last day of the registration period of a particular term.
Generally, individuals who have maintained their domicile in New York for a period of less than twelve months prior to the end of registration are presumed to be out-of-state residents and are not eligible for the resident tuition rate.
Individuals do not meet the twelve-month residency requirement if domiciled in New York State primarily to attend college.
Individuals who are financially dependent and whose custodial parent(s) lives in a state other than New York are generally not eligible for the resident tuition rate. However, students of divorced or legally separated parents may acquire a NY State domicile if the custodial parent is a NY State resident or if the student resides with a non-custodial parent who is a NY State resident and the student intends to continue to reside with that parent throughout their attendance at SUNY.
Proof of Domicile
Campuses rely on documents and circumstances such as, but not limited to, the following to determine if an individual's domicile is in New York State. For financially dependent students, the campus relies on documents relating to parents or legal guardian.
Duration of physical presence in NY.
State of residency of the student's family.
NY State voter registration.
NY State driver's license.
NY State motor vehicle registration.
NY State real property ownership.
NY State residential rental lease.
NY State income tax returns.
Questions about resident and non-resident tuition rates should be directed to the Student Accounts Office at each SUNY campus.
