Verification of Lawful Presence

Verification of Lawful Presence and Georgia Residency Requirements

Verifying Lawful Presence in the United States

All students applying for in-state or and out-of-state tuition waiver must provide validation of lawful presence in the United States. The following documents will serve as proof of lawful presence in the United States and documentation will be required before you are eligible for consideration of in-state tuition, or an out-of-state waiver:

• Students who file a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and are eligible for federal student aid will have their lawful presence verified as part of the FAFSA process.
• Unexpired Georgia and select out of state Drivers licenses and state ID cards can be accepted under certain conditions. It must be a Real ID and not contain any of the verbiage in the chart below. If the copy received has the top portion of the card cut off the document will not satisfy lawful presence.
• A clear copy of an original or certified U.S. Birth Certificate showing the student was born in the U.S. or a U.S. territory, A U.S. Certificate of Birth Abroad issued by the Department of State (DS-1350) or a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (FS-240). The copy must very clearly show the raised or written seal to be acceptable.
• A U.S. Certificate of Naturalization (USCIS form N-550 or N-570).
• A U.S. Certificate of Citizenship (USCIS form N-560 or N-561).
• A current U.S. Passport.
• A current military ID (service member only, not dependent). Documented using the Confirmation of Review of Military ID Worksheet - A photocopy is not acceptable.
• A current, valid Permanent Resident Card (USCIS form I-151 or I-551). We require both the front & back sides of your Permanent Resident Card to be submitted. It must not expire before the first day of class of the term the student will start classes.
• Students admitted on an F, J or M Visa will have their lawful presence verified through the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).
• Students admitted on any other Visa will have their lawful presence verified through the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) Program.

Any student who cannot be verified as lawfully present in the United States is not eligible to be considered for in-state tuition, or an out-of-state waiver, regardless of how long he or she has lived in Georgia. In addition to being lawfully present in the United States, students must meet the in-state tuition requirements as outlined in TCSG Board Policy and Procedure V.B.3 to warrant an in-state classification. Students that are initially classified as out-of-state and successfully petition to have their residency changed to in-state also have to meet the verification requirement.

Verifying Georgia Residency for In-State Tuition

In order to be coded in-state for tuition purposes, you and your parents (if a dependent) must have lived in Georgia for the past 12 consecutive months and accurately answer the residency questions on your admissions application. Proving residency may require more than one of the items listed below.

• A valid Georgia Driver’s License or ID with an issue date at least 1 year prior to the 1st day of class. If the date of issue is less than one year ago, you can obtain a MVR report from the DMV for the original date of issue.
• Georgia voter registration card showing registration 12 months or more prior to term’s starting date. Go to https://www.mvp.sos.ga.gov/MVP/mvp.do to print out a copy.
• Most recent Georgia income tax form (GA Tax Form 500) showing full year residency.
• Location of employment (12 consecutive months of pay stubs with employee address or a letter from your employer – on company letterhead – stating that you have been employed with the company for a year)
• Current business, professional, or other licenses issued in Georgia (12-month requirement)
• Georgia automobile registration (current and previous year)
• Proof of purchase/rental of primary residence in Georgia (property tax paid or leases)
• Utility bills (must show 12 consecutive months of charges – No cell phone bills)
• Location of checking, savings, or other banking accounts (12 consecutive months of bank statements with account holder address).

Independent Students – Students age 24 and older OR under 24 and no one else claimed you during the most recent tax year. Turn in your Georgia Driver’s license/ID or a combination of items listed above.

Dependent Students -

Students who are 23 years of age or younger and claimed on a parent or legal guardian’s most recent tax return must provide documentation showing that the parent or legal guardian has established and maintained legal residence (domicile) in the State of Georgia for at least 12 consecutive months prior to the start of the term. Both of the following items are required:

1. A copy of the student’s current driver’s license or state ID card AND
2. A copy of the parent or legal guardian’s most recent Georgia income tax return (GA Tax Form 500) showing the student was claimed as a dependent OR a transcript from an eligible Georgia High School showing the graduation date of the student;

If the parent or guardian did not file a Georgia income tax return for the most recent year, the following documentation is required to prove they have maintained a permanent residence in Georgia for the past 12 consecutive months:

• A copy of the parent or guardian’s Georgia driver’s license; and
• One of the following items:
• Georgia voter registration card showing registration 12 months or more prior to the start of the term (http://www.mvp.sos.ga.gov/ My Voter’s Page)
• Location of employment (12 consecutive months of pay stubs with employee address)
• Current business, professional, or other licenses issued in Georgia (12-month requirement)
• Georgia automobile registration (current and previous year)
• Proof of purchase or rental of primary residence in Georgia (property tax paid or lease agreement)
• Utility bills in the parent or guardian’s name showing 12 consecutive months of charges (cell phone bills not accepted)
• Location of checking, savings, or other bank accounts (12 consecutive months of bank statements with parent or guardian’s address)