Residency for Tuition Purposes FAQ's
General FAQ’s
Q: Who makes the initial determination of a student's residency status?
A: An Official in the Admissions Office determines a student's residency status based on the information provided on each student's application.
Q: What is domicile?
A: Domicile is the place where a person resides and intends to reside either permanently or indefinitely.
Q: Are children of Temple University alumni considered Pennsylvania residents for tuition purposes?
A: The alumni status of a student's parents does not determine the student’s residency status.
Q: I’m really having a hard time paying out of state tuition – is there a financial hardship exception?
A: No. Financial hardship is not a factor that is considered in determining whether a student is a Pennsylvania resident for tuition purposes. Similarly, demonstration of financial hardship, in and of itself, will not entitle a student to in-state tuition rates.
Q: My friend (cousin, neighbor, etc) is going to Temple (or another college or university in PA) and they received in-state tuition, why can’t I?
A: Each student’s circumstances and background is unique and will be evaluated on its own basis.
Q: I’d really feel more comfortable speaking with someone before filling out the application. Is this possible?
A: Absolutely! Please feel free to contact the Residency Certification Officer at ANY time using the following information:
Lori A. Daniels
Assistant Registrar
Residency Certification Officer
Academic Records
1801 North Broad Street
Conwell Hall, 204
Philadelphia, PA 19122
215-204-7378
resident.tuition@temple.edu
General Application FAQ’s
Q: I've read the policy, but what is an application, and what forms do I need to fill out?
A: An application consists of a form and copies of documentation which support your contention of Pennsylvania residency for tuition purposes. All materials must be in written form. In the statement, question #11, a student should request reclassification and provide an explanation as to why the student believes he/she should be considered a Pennsylvania Resident for tuition purposes. A student should include her/his TU ID number and the semester for which reclassification is being requested. The documentation should show clear and convincing evidence that the student's domicile is in Pennsylvania, and that her/his presence in the Commonwealth is not primarily for educational purposes.
Undergraduate Students: Because Pennsylvania State law presumes that most students under the age of 22 have the domicile of their parent(s) or legal guardian(s), their application should demonstrate that he/she is financially emancipated or independent if their parent or guardian does not have a domicile in Pennsylvania.
Q: What documentary evidence should I submit with my application form?
A: Each application is reviewed individually on the basis of all evidence submitted by the applicant. Threre are a number of factors that are considered in determining residency and a number of documents that are relevant to those factors. Examples include: the deed or lease to your principal domicile, a Pennsylvania state tax return, Pennsylvania driver's license, voter registration, vehicle registration, etc. These are all appropriate items to provide. A student may submit copies of any information that will help document her/his principal domicile is in Pennsylvania. Keep in mind that Temple University must retain the items in your residency file, so submit only COPIES of the documents. The information should be that of a student's parent(s) or legal guardian(s), if the student is dependent. A student seeking to show her/his financial emancipation or independence should submit her/his own information.
Q: How do I establish I am independent from my parents?
A: A student may prove that he/she is financially emancipated from his/her parents by showing he/she has sufficient means to support his/herself. Examples of documentation include: a copy of his/her parent(s)' Federal tax return or a notarized statement from them indicating they are not providing the student's support or claiming the student as a dependent for tax reasons. Other evidence: Students receiving Financial Aid may show evidence that they have been classified as independent for Financial Aid purposes. In addition, if the parents have taken out loans to support the student's education (such as PLUS loans), the student would not be considered independent, unless compelling evidence to the contrary is presented.
Q: My parent(s) own a home in Pennsylvania, does that automatically make me a resident for tuition purposes?
A: Ownership of real estate or payment of real estate taxes in Pennsylvania does not necessarily qualify a student for residency for tuition purposes. Residency is based on a person's domicile. Domicile is the place where a person resides and intends to reside either permanently or indefinitely.
Q: I have just married a person who is a life-long resident of the Commonwealth - am I now a resident for tuition purposes?
A: Not necessarily. Marriage to a resident of the Commonwealth is just one factor considered in the decision regarding residency. The larger factor would be the establishment of an independent, permanent domicile in the Commonwealth.
Q: Is it possible to be a legal resident of Pennsylvania and still be a non-resident for tuition purposes at Temple University?
A: Yes. While you may meet the requirements to become a registered voter or a licensed driver in Pennsylvania, you still may not qualify for residency for tuition purposes.
Q: I have now lived in Pennsylvania for a year, while attending Temple, and have registered to vote, obtained a PA driver's license, and pay Pennsylvania state taxes. Am I now a resident for tuition purposes?
A: Generally, unless a student has 12 months of continuous residence in the state prior to enrollment, the student is considered a non-resident for tuition purposes. The 12 month requirement cannot be met while attending Temple or any other institution of higher education within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania- the student is assumed to be in the Commonwealth for educational purposes.
Q: If I am living with one of my parents in another state, can I be considered a resident for tuition purposes if my other biological parent is a Pennsylvania resident?
A: No. You must reside within in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Q: I am living with my grandparents (aunts, uncles, cousins, etc), who are life-long residents of the Commonwealth. Am I a resident for tuition purposes?
A: Not necessarily. Residency status will depend on consideration of the factors identified in the policy in order to determine whether the student has established a permanent, independent domicile in the Commonwealth.
Q: If the parents of a resident student move to another state, will that student be reclassified as a non-resident for tuition purposes?
A: Possibly. A student who changes her/his place of residence from Pennsylvania to another state is required to give prompt written notice of this change to the University and shall be considered for reclassification effective with the date of such change. The written notice should be provided to the Residency Certification Officer, 1801 North Broad Street, Conwell Hall 2nd Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19122.
Q: My parents moved out of state while I was a senior in high school - can I still be considered a resident for tuition purposes?
A: It depends. Students who are dependent on their parents are presumed to have the domicile of their parents and would therefore be considered an out of state student for tuition purposes.
Military FAQ’s
Q: My parent is active duty military, and is stationed in Pennsylvania. Do we qualify for in-state tuition?
A: Military personnel and their dependents who are assigned to an active duty station in Pennsylvania and who reside in Pennsylvania can be classified as residents for tuition purposes. A student may submit a cover letter, a copy of the service member's orders, and a copy of her/his parent's deed or lease as documentation.
Q: My parent or legal guardian is active duty military, and has maintained her/his home of record as Pennsylvania. Do I qualify for in-state tuition?
A: Any member of the armed forces who was a resident of Pennsylvania immediately preceding entry into the service and who has continuously maintained Pennsylvania as her/his domicile is presumed to have a Pennsylvania domicile. A student should submit a cover letter, in addition to documentation of the service member's home of record.
Q: I am currently classified as an out-of-state student, but am enrolling in the National Guard or Reserves and will make Pennsylvania my home of record. Do I now qualify for in-state tuition?
A: National Guard and Reserves are not considered active duty military. If a student is an out-of-state student for purposes of tuition, the classification will not change upon joining the National Guard or Reserves, even if the home of record for the military is Pennsylvania. Active duty for training, such as the two-week annual training or specialist school, would not qualify a student as having served in active duty. However, if a student in the National Guard or Reserves is called into active duty, with a home of record of Pennsylvania, and is later discharged into Pennsylvania, the student would be considered an in-state student for purposes of tuition upon re-enrollment at Temple University. Form DD-214 would need to be submitted to show the home of record upon discharge.
Foreign Student FAQ’s
Q: I don't have a green card yet. Can I be reclassified as a resident for tuition purposes?
A: Students who are not citizens or permanent residents of the United States are presumed not to be residents of Pennsylvania for tuition purposes. A student may rebut this presumption, however, with clear and convincing evidence.
Appeal FAQ’s
Q: What is the deadline for filing an appeal of my non-resident status and when would it be effective?
A: A student may file at anytime to be effective for the particular semester it must be filed before the last day of add/drop. If filed before the add/drop period, any reclassification would be effective at the beginning of the semester or session during which the application was filed. Any application filed after the add/drop period shall be considered for reclassification for the subsequent semester. The specific dates are located HERE
Q: If my petition is denied, can I appeal the decision?
A: Yes. A written request should be made to the University Appeals Board. A student is notified in writing of the decision of the Appeals Board. If you wish to be present at the University Appeals Board meeting, please note that in your letter so that you may be notified of the meeting time and date. Note that this board meets monthly; therefore, if your initial petition is denied, please submit the petition for appeal as soon as possible.
Q: Do I need to provide any documents with my appeal letter to support my petition for residency reclassification?
A: Generally speaking, no. Your original application materials will be forwarded to the committee once you have filed your letter. If you wish to include any additional information not included in the original application, please feel free to do so.
Q: Where do I send my letter of appeal?
A: Address and mail the letter to:
Temple University
Office of the Secretary
1330 West Berks Street
Sullivan Hall, 3-Mezzanine
Philadelphia, PA 19122
Q: My appeal was successful! Now what?
A: Your accounts will be updated effective the date indicated in your letter from the University Appeals Board. You will not need to do anything further and will not need to apply again. If, however, your permanent address changes to an out of state location, you will need to notify the Office of Academic Records immediately.
Q: My appeal was unsuccessful. Now what?
A: Unfortunately, you have exhausted all of your options within the University and will remain a non-resident for tuition purposes. You may apply again for the next semester in which you are enrolled.
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