Residency

Am I eligible for In-State Tuition Rates?

The Code of Virginia authorizes over a dozen individual paths for qualifying for in-state tuition. The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) provides “Domicile Guidelines” to assist persons who are potentially eligible for Virginia in-state residency and in-state tuition rates. To review the Domicile Guidelines that are provided by SCHEV, please click here. 

How to Establish (Domicile)

The primary pathway to in-state residency and in-state tuition is through establishing “domicile”, meaning that Virginia is the person’s permanent legal home state, where they intend to remain indefinitely with no plan or expectations to leave and where they remain ties even during prolonged absence.  See below information on “Basic Requirements” and “Domiciliary Intent”.

Basic Requirements

An individual must demonstrate legal residence in Virginia with an intent to remain in Virginia indefinitely to establish domicile in Virginia. After meeting the requirements to establish domicile, a person must continue to be domiciled in Virginia for at least 12 months preceding the first day of classes.

Domiciliary Intent

Several factors are used to determine if a person demonstrates intent to remain in Virginia indefinitely. Below is a list of information that may be requested in order to establish domiciliary intent:

• State to which income taxes are paid
• Voter registration and actual voting
• Driver’s license
• Motor vehicle registration
• Continuous residence in Virginia
• Social and economic ties
• Ownership of real property
• Sources of financial support
• Current employment
• Post-graduation employment in Virginia
• Military records

Other Paths to Qualify for In-State Tuition

Students not able to demonstrate domicile in Virginia can obtain the in-state tuition rate by meeting requirements of one of the exceptions provided within the Code of Virginia.  Below is a list of common exceptions:

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• Students Below Age 24
• Active Duty Military Personnel & Dependents
• Military Veterans
• Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)
• Students with an Ineligible Citizenship or Immigration Status

While there are many pathways to in-state tuition rates, not all pathways are considered for federal or state financial assistance.  To see if you are eligible for Federal or State Aid, please contact the Campus Call Center at 540-453-2301 or BRCCFinancials@brcc.edu.

All students have the legal right to appeal an out-of-state tuition rate.