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 information on in-state tuition eligibility and “Domicile Guidelines” to assist persons who are potentially eligible for Virginia in-state residency and in-state tuition rates.
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:
- Students Below Age 24
- Active Duty Military Personnel & Dependents
- Military Veterans – Military veterans residing within the Commonwealth shall be eligible for in-state tuition charges.
If you recently applied to the college and the Admissions Application automatically assigned you as out-of-state, please email Veterans@brcc.edu. - Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) – As of April 29, 2014, the Director of the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia has determined that students who have received approval for DACA are eligible to establish domicile in Virginia and apply for in-state tuition (Google form).
If you have received DACA approval, and would like to apply for In-State tuition, please follow the regular application process outlined on the Out-of-State Appeal webpage. - 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.