Ohio Residency for Tuition Surcharge Purposes

You are a student whose spouse, or are a dependent student of at least one of whose parent/legal guardian, has been a resident of Ohio for all other legal purposes for 12 consecutive months prior to the start of the semester you are applying for residency.

If you feel you meet the classification as the dependent student of an Ohio resident under this rule, you must submit the following minimum documentation:

1. A notarized letter of support from your spouse or parent/legal guardian that contains the following information:
   1. Your name and the amount and type of financial support they provided you during this 12-month period
   2. Number of years spouse or parent/legal guardian has lived in Ohio
   3. Number of years spouse or parent/legal guardian has paid taxes in Ohio
   4. Whether or not at least spouse or one parent/legal guardian has claimed the student as a dependent for tax purposes
2. Copy of spouse or parent/legal guardian’s deed(s), rental agreement(s) or lease(s) for the preceding 12 consecutive months
3. Copy of spouse or parent/legal guardian’s most recent federal tax return showing you were claimed as a dependent
4. Copy of spouse or parent/legal guardian’s most recent Ohio income tax return
5. If you are dependent upon a spouse, a copy of your marriage certificate/license
6. Request for Resident Classification form

You are trying to become an Ohio resident and have been a resident of Ohio for at least 12 consecutive months prior to the start of the semester you are applying for residency. You are not receiving, and have not directly or indirectly received in the preceding 12 consecutive months, financial support from persons or entities who are not residents of Ohio for all other legal purposes. You are claiming to be financially independent of anyone else unless you have a spouse who is also living in Ohio.

• You must be independent. If you are claimed on your parent(s) or legal guardian’s federal income tax return, you are a dependent and your residency is determined by their residency status
• You should demonstrate your intent to become an Ohio resident by transferring any applicable items of registration to Ohio, such as a driver’s license, automobile registration, and voter registration 12 months prior to the start of the semester for which reclassification is desired
• You must demonstrate that during the 12-month period while establishing residency, you are totally self-supporting with sufficient income derived from within the state of Ohio and have subjected that income to Ohio taxation, to meet all expenses without the need of money from outside the State of Ohio. You cannot receive any financial support from outside the state of Ohio to assist with payment of tuition, books, room, board, insurance and other living expenses. Financial Aid that requires you to be a resident of another state or parent PLUS loan money to parents who are not Ohio residents makes you ineligible under C-2 status

If you feel you meet the classification as an independent student under this rule, you should must the following minimum documentation. Additional documentation may be required to provide evidence of the independent student status:

1. Copy of your deed(s), rental agreement(s) or lease(s) for the preceding 12 consecutive months
   1. If living with someone, a sworn affidavit from the owner of your residence certifying that you reside at that residence and the date you began living there
2. Copy of Ohio driver’s license
3. Copy of sources of financial support. To verify your financial support, you may submit any combination of the following:
   1. Employment: Photocopies of W-2 forms for the past year’s earnings, most recent pay stubs for the current year (if they show your full name and year-to-date earnings), letter(s) from employer(s) on official letterhead stationery (or notarized) indicating the dates of your employment and your total earnings for the 12- month review period, or payroll statements if they are readily identifiable.
   2. Savings: If you have used savings that are in your name that you acquired prior to the 12-month period of review, submit a copy of your bank statement from the start of your 12-month review period, a copy of the statement from a year prior to that and a copy of your most recent bank statement. The difference between the beginning and ending balance during your 12-month review period can be used as a source of income. Documentation is required to verify the source(s) of your savings if acquired recently, or deposits to existing accounts if made within the 12-month review period
   3. Scholarships and Grants: List any scholarships and grants you received during the 12-month review period and provide copies of your award letter(s). If you received the scholarship/grant from an out-of-state source, submit a copy of the application instructions or a letter from the grantor that verifies whether or not you were required to be a resident of a particular state to receive the funds
   4. Loans: If you have incurred loans directly in your name during the 12-month review period, list the total amount of the loans. For documentation, please provide copies of your award letters and disbursement dates. If you received a loan from an out-of-state source, submit a copy of the application instructions or a letter from the lender that verifies whether or not you were required to be a resident of a particular state to receive the funds
   5. Fee Payment Authorization: List any fee authorizations/waivers received during the 12-month review period. Please provide a copy of your award letter
   6. Gifts or Support from Parents, Guardians, Relatives, or Friends: If relatives or friends who reside in Ohio provided a portion of your financial support, submit a notarized letter from them indicating the dates they have resided in Ohio, the amount and type of financial support they have provided you during the 12-month review period, and whether or not they are citizens or permanent residents of the United States. The letter should also include a statement verifying that the support came from the individual’s own financial resources and not from an out-of-state individual. A similar statement should be provided from sources outside Ohio, including the person’s state or country of legal residency. Money from outside Ohio will not be considered as eligible toward Ohio residency. Documentation may also be requested to support the fact that a donor has sufficient financial resources to supply you with the noted assistance
   7. VA Benefits, Social Security Benefits: If you have used Veterans Administration, Social Security, unemployment, or welfare benefits, request that those agencies verify, in writing, the amount and type of support you received during the 12-month review period
   8. Other: List and describe any other income sources used during the 12-month review period. Please provide complete and appropriate documentation for the income source(s)
4. Request for Resident Classification form

You are the dependent student or spouse of a person who is living and employed on a full-time, self-sustaining basis in Ohio. An employed person who, as of the first day of a term of enrollment, has established domicile and accepted full-time self-sustaining employment in Ohio, their dependent spouse/children are eligible for instant residency. Graduate Assistantships are not considered as full-time employment.

If you feel you meet the classification as a dependent student under this rule, you must submit the following minimum documentation:

1. A letter on company letterhead from the employed person’s employer that includes:
   1. Name of the employed person, date their employment began, they are employed full-time, and base salary amount
2. Copy of spouse or parent/legal guardian’s deed(s), rental agreement(s) or lease(s) located in Ohio
   1. If living with someone, a sworn affidavit from the owner of the residence certifying that your spouse or parent/guardian reside at that residence and the date they began living there
3. A notarized letter of support from your spouse or parent/legal guardian that contains the following information:
   1. Your name and the amount and type of financial support they provided you during this 12-month period
   2. Number of years spouse or parent/legal guardian has lived in Ohio
   3. Number of years spouse or parent/legal guardian has paid taxes in Ohio
   4. Whether or not at least spouse or one parent/legal guardian has claimed the student as a dependent for tax purposes
4. Copy of spouse or parent/legal guardian’s most recent federal tax return showing you were claimed as a dependent
5. If you are dependent upon a spouse, a copy of your marriage certificate/license
6. Request for Resident Classification form

You are a veteran, the veteran's spouse or any dependent of the veteran, who meets both of the following conditions:

• The veteran either (i) served one or more years on active military duty and was honorably discharged or received a medical discharge that was related to the military service or (ii) was killed while serving on active military duty or has been declared to be missing in action or a prisoner of war
• If the veteran seeks residency status for tuition surcharge purposes, the veteran has established domicile in this state as of the first day of term of enrollment in an institution of higher education. If the spouse or a dependent of the veteran seeks residency status for tuition surcharge purposes, the veteran and the spouse or dependent seeking residency status have established domicile in this state as of the first day of a term of enrollment in an institution of higher education, except that if the veteran was killed while serving on active military duty or has been declared to be missing in action or a prisoner of war, or is deceased after discharge, only the spouse or dependent seeking residency status shall be required to have established domicile in accordance with this division.

If you feel you meet the classification as a student under this rule, you must submit the following minimum documentation:

1. A copy of form DD-214, issued to each veteran upon discharge from active duty, documents the length and character of service (type of discharge). In cases where the veteran was KIA, MIA, or POW, a copy of DD1300 Report of Casualty Form will be required.
2. Copy of Veteran’s deed(s), rental agreement(s) or lease(s) located in Ohio. In cases of KIA, MIA, or POW, only the spouse or dependent must be domiciled in Ohio
   1. If living with someone, a sworn affidavit from the owner of the residence certifying that the Veteran resides at that residence and the date they began living there

In addition to 1 and 2 above, a dependent (spouse or child) of a Veteran must also submit:

1. Copy of spouse or parent/legal guardian’s most recent federal tax return showing you were claimed as a dependent
2. If you are dependent upon a spouse, a copy of your marriage certificate/license
3. Request for Resident Classification form

You are a student who graduated from an Ohio high school while living in Ohio and have established a current residence in Ohio. You have the current legal status to remain permanently in the United States, had left Ohio but returned to enroll in an Ohio public institution of higher education and have established a primary residence in Ohio by the first day of the term of enrollment. An Ohio high school does not include GED.

If you feel you meet the classification as a student under this rule, you must submit the following minimum documentation:

1. Copy of your official Ohio high school transcript which includes date of graduation
2. Copy of your deed(s), rental agreement(s) or lease(s)
   1. If living with someone, a sworn affidavit from the owner of your residence certifying that you reside at that residence and the date you began living there
3. Request for Resident Classification form

You are independent, living and gainfully employed on a full-time or part-time and self-sustaining basis in Ohio and pursuing a part-time program of instruction. You must be able to demonstrate that you are self-supporting based solely on your current employment income. Other sources of income such as financial aid, savings, social security, VA benefits, etc. cannot be considered as income contributing to your self-supporting status but can be used over and above the amount necessary to meet expenses.

• As a conditional resident, you may not register for more than 8 hours (undergraduate student) or 7 hours (graduate student), or you will be billed as a nonresident for all hours.

If you feel you meet the classification as an independent student under this exception, you must submit the following minimum documentation.  Additional documentation may be required to provide evidence of the independent student status:

1. A letter on company letterhead from your employer that includes:
   1. Your name, date your employment began, number of hours per week you work and your rate of pay per hour, week or year
2. Copy of your most recent pay stub
3. Copy of your deed(s), rental agreement(s) or lease(s)
   1. If living with someone, a sworn affidavit from the owner of your residence certifying that you reside at that residence and the date you began living there
4. Copy of your Ohio driver’s license
5. Request for Resident Classification form

A person who enters and remains upon active duty status in the U.S. military while a resident of Ohio for all other legal purposes (and his or her dependents) shall be considered a resident of Ohio for tuition purposes as long as Ohio remains the state of that person’s domicile.

If you feel you meet the classification as a student under this exception, you must submit the following minimum documentation:

1. Copy of verification of Ohio Home of Record for the active duty person
   1. Acceptable documents include: enlistment papers, DD214 (discharge papers), State of Legal Residency Form dated at least 12 months prior to intended enrollment, or a letter from the base personnel officer verifying your HOR 
2. Copy of your most recent Leave and Earnings Statement (LES) or most recent W-2 for the active duty person
3. Copy of your deed(s), rental agreement(s) or lease(s)
   1. If living with someone, a sworn affidavit from the owner of your residence certifying that you reside at that residence and the date you began living there
4. Copy of Ohio driver’s license

In addition to 1 – 4 above, a dependent (spouse or child) of an active duty person must also submit:

1. A notarized letter of support from your spouse or parent/legal guardian that contains the following information:
   1. Your name and the amount and type of financial support they provided you during this 12-month period
   2. Number of years spouse or parent/legal guardian has lived in Ohio
   3. Number of years spouse or parent/legal guardian has paid taxes in Ohio
   4. Whether or not at least spouse or one parent/legal guardian has claimed the student as a dependent for tax purposes
2. Copy of spouse or parent/legal guardian’s most recent federal tax return showing you were claimed as a dependent
3. If you are dependent upon a spouse, a copy of your marriage certificate/license
4. Request for Resident Classification form

A person on active duty status in the United State military who is both stationed and residing in Ohio (and his or her dependents) shall be considered a resident of Ohio for tuition purposes.

If you feel you meet the classification as a student under this exception, you must submit the following minimum documentation:

1. Copy of current active duty permanent change of station military orders verifying military transfer for the active duty person
2. Copy of your deed(s), rental agreement(s) or lease(s)
   1. If living with someone, a sworn affidavit from the owner of your residence certifying that you reside at that residence and the date you began living there
3. Copy of Ohio driver’s license

In addition to 1 – 3 above, a dependent (spouse or child) of an active duty person must also submit:

1. A notarized letter of support from your spouse or parent/legal guardian that contains the following information:
   1. Your name and the amount and type of financial support they provided you during this 12-month period
   2. Number of years spouse or parent/legal guardian has lived in Ohio
   3. Number of years spouse or parent/legal guardian has paid taxes in Ohio
   4. Whether or not at least spouse or one parent/legal guardian has claimed the student as a dependent for tax purposes
2. Copy of spouse or parent/legal guardian’s most recent federal tax return showing you were claimed as a dependent
3. If you are dependent upon a spouse, a copy of your marriage certificate/license
4. Request for Resident Classification form

A person who is transferred by his or her employer beyond the territorial limits of the 50 states of the United States and the District of Columbia while a resident of Ohio for all other legal purposes and his or her dependents shall be considered residents of Ohio for these purposes as long as Ohio remains the state of such person’s domicile as long as such person has fulfilled his or her tax liability to the state of Ohio for at least the tax year preceding enrollment.

If you feel you meet the classification as a student under this exception, you must submit the following minimum documentation:

1. A letter on company letterhead from the employed person’s employer that includes:
   1. Name of the employed person and indicating they were an Ohio resident at the time of being transferred
2. Copy of the employee’s Ohio tax return for the previous tax year
3. Copy of your or parent/legal guardian’s deed(s), rental agreement(s) or lease(s) located in Ohio
   1. If living with someone, a sworn affidavit from the owner of the residence certifying that your spouse or parent/guardian reside at that residence and the date they began living there
4. If a dependent, a notarized letter of support from your spouse or parent/legal guardian that contains the following information:
   1. Your name and the amount and type of financial support they provided you during this 12-month period
   2. Number of years spouse or parent/legal guardian has lived in Ohio
   3. Number of years spouse or parent/legal guardian has paid taxes in Ohio
   4. Whether or not at least spouse or one parent/legal guardian has claimed the student as a dependent for tax purposes
5. Copy of spouse or parent/legal guardian’s most recent federal tax return showing you were claimed as a dependent
6. If you are dependent upon a spouse, a copy of your marriage certificate/license
7. Copy of Ohio driver’s license
8. Request for Resident Classification form

A person who has been employed as a migrant worker in the state of Ohio and his or her dependents shall be considered a resident for these purposes provided such person has worked in Ohio at least four months during each of the three years preceding the proposed enrollment.

If you feel you meet the classification as a student under this exception, you must submit the following minimum documentation:

1. Statement from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services verifying that you, your parent/legal guardian or spouse has been working in Ohio at least four months during each of the previous three years; Certificate of Eligibility from Ohio Migrant Education Center that certifies dates of employment or dependence; or letter(s) from the employer(s) verifying that you, your parent/legal guardian or spouse has worked in Ohio at least four months during each of the three previous years
2. Copy of your or parent/legal guardian’s deed(s), rental agreement(s) or lease(s) located in Ohio
   1. If living with someone, a sworn affidavit from the owner of the residence certifying that your spouse or parent/guardian reside at that residence and the date they began living there
3. If a dependent, a notarized letter of support from your spouse or parent/legal guardian that contains the following information:
   1. Your name and the amount and type of financial support they provided you during this 12-month period
   2. Number of years spouse or parent/legal guardian has lived in Ohio
   3. Number of years spouse or parent/legal guardian has paid taxes in Ohio
   4. Whether or not at least spouse or one parent/legal guardian has claimed the student as a dependent for tax purposes
4. Copy of spouse or parent/legal guardian’s most recent federal tax return showing you were claimed as a dependent
5. If you are dependent upon a spouse, a copy of your marriage certificate/license
6. Copy of Ohio driver’s license
7. Request for Resident Classification form

A person who was considered a resident under this rule at the time the person started a community service position as defined under this rule, and his or her spouse and dependents, shall be considered as residents of Ohio while in service and upon completion of service in the community service position (VISTA, AmeriCorps, City Year, Peace Corps or working for an elected or appointed public official for a period of time not exceeding 24 consecutive months).

If you feel you meet the classification as a student under this exception, you must submit the following minimum documentation:

1. A sworn affidavit from the community service group or a signed statement on letterhead verifying Ohio home of record for the individual
2. Copy of your or parent/legal guardian’s deed(s), rental agreement(s) or lease(s) located in Ohio
   1. If living with someone, a sworn affidavit from the owner of the residence certifying that your spouse or parent/guardian reside at that residence and the date they began living there
3. If a dependent, a notarized letter of support from your spouse or parent/legal guardian that contains the following information:
   1. Your name and the amount and type of financial support they provided you during this 12-month period
   2. Number of years spouse or parent/legal guardian has lived in Ohio
   3. Number of years spouse or parent/legal guardian has paid taxes in Ohio
   4. Whether or not at least spouse or one parent/legal guardian has claimed the student as a dependent for tax purposes
4. Copy of spouse or parent/legal guardian’s most recent federal tax return showing you were claimed as a dependent
5. If you are dependent upon a spouse, a copy of your marriage certificate/license
6. Copy of Ohio driver’s license
7. Request for Resident Classification form

A person who returns to the state of Ohio due to marital hardship, takes or has taken legal steps to end a marriage, and reestablishes financial dependence upon a parent or legal guardian (receives greater than 50% of his or her support from the parent or legal guardian), and his or her dependents shall be considered residents of Ohio.

If you feel you meet the classification as a student under this exception, you must submit the following minimum documentation:

1. Copy of court papers verifying the couple has taken legal steps to end the marriage
2. Copy of your or parent/legal guardian’s deed(s), rental agreement(s) or lease(s) located in Ohio
   1. If living with someone, a sworn affidavit from the owner of the residence certifying that your spouse or parent/guardian reside at that residence and the date they began living there
3. A notarized letter of support from your parent(s) that contains the following information:
   1. Your name and last four digits of your social security number
   2. The amount and type of financial support they provide and whether or not they are providing more than 50% of your financial support
   3. Number of years parent(s) have lived in Ohio
   4. Number of years parent(s) have paid taxes in Ohio
   5. Whether they are U.S. Citizens, permanent resident aliens, or other status they hold in the U.S.
4. Copy of parent(s) most recent Ohio income tax return
5. Copy of Ohio driver’s license
6. Request for Resident Classification form

A person who is a member of the Ohio National Guard, and his or her spouse and dependents shall be considered residents of Ohio while the person is in Ohio National Guard service.

If you feel you meet the classification as a student under this exception, you must submit the following minimum documentation:

1. Copy of enlistment papers or a letter from the base personnel officer verifying service in the Ohio National Guard
2. Copy of your or parent/legal guardian’s deed(s), rental agreement(s) or lease(s) located in Ohio
   1. If living with someone, a sworn affidavit from the owner of the residence certifying that your spouse or parent/guardian reside at that residence and the date they began living there
3. If a dependent, a notarized letter of support from your parent(s) that contains the following information:
   1. Your name and the amount and type of financial support they provided you during this 12-month period
   2. Number of years spouse or parent/legal guardian has lived in Ohio
   3. Number of years spouse or parent/legal guardian has paid taxes in Ohio
   4. Whether or not at least spouse or one parent/legal guardian has claimed the student as a dependent for tax purposes
4. Copy of Ohio driver’s license
5. Request for Resident Classification form

Students who are U.S. citizens, Permanent Resident Aliens, Political Asylees or Political Refugees, or students who hold an A, E, G, H, I, L, O, P, R, TC, TD, TN or V visa may apply to be reviewed for in-state residency according to the guidelines above.

International Students who hold B, C, D, F, J, K, M or U visas are NOT eligible for establishing in-state residency, unless they are financially dependent upon a spouse or parent who is a bona fide Ohio resident. This is defined as a person who meets the criteria established in the Ohio Board of Regent's Guidelines and is also a U.S. citizen, Permanent Resident Alien, Political Asylee, Political Refugee, or holds an A, E, G, H, I, L, O, P, R, TC, TD, TN or V visa.

Students whose immigration status is pending are eligible to establish Ohio residency only if their most recent immigration status was eligible to establish Ohio residency. “Financially dependent on a parent” is defined as having been claimed on the parent’s federal tax return in the most recent tax year. “Financial dependence upon a spouse” is proven with a marriage certificate. In addition, students holding a B, F, J, K, M or U visas and who are financially dependent upon a spouse or parent who is a bona fide Ohio resident must also have applied to adjust their status to permanent resident alien in order to qualify for the in-state tuition subsidy benefit, or they must have applied to adjust their status to match that of the person they are dependent upon. (Example: Student is F1 visa holder and marries Ohio resident with H1B visa, then student must be in process of adjusting to an H4 status.) If a student’s immigration status changes after being classified as a resident it may affect their ability to remain classified as a resident. (Example: Student changes from an H visa type to F visa type).