Residency rules state the the family (who claims Texas as their legal home) of a person 18 years of age or under and who is a dependent must have been a resident of the State of Texas for twelve (12) months immediately prior to registration in order to qualify as Texas residents for tuition purposes.The rules go on to state that students 18 years of age or older who are independent, claim Texas as their legal home, and who have been residents of the State of Texas for purposes other than attending an educational institution for twelve (12) months immediately prior to registration may be classified as Texas residents for tuition purposes.
The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board has mandated the following guidelines as to the minimum documentation which the College must have on file for each student whose answers to the residency core questions raise concerns as to the appropriateness of classification.
Vernon College is required to file and maintain a copy of one or more appropriately dated documents which will certify that the student classified as a resident has legal right to such classification as of the official census date of the semester for which he/she is enrolling. Documents acceptable for this purpose include, but are not limited to:
- Texas high school transcript for the full senior year immediately preceding the semester enrolled,
- Texas college or university transcript,
- Employer statement of date of employment,
- Permanent driver's license (at least 1 year old). The license expiration date minus date of enrollment should not exceed three years,
- Texas voter registration,
- Lease agreement which includes student's name and periods covered,
- Property tax payments for the year preceding enrollment,
- Canceled checks with address preprinted,
- Utility bills for the year preceding enrollment,
- A signed, dated and notarized comprehensive residence questionnaire,
- (For aliens) proof of permanent residence classification, which is eligible for the establishment of a domicile in Texas,
- An income tax form,
- A current credit report which documents the student's length and place of residence,
- Other NOTARIZED third party documentation,
- For a homeless individual, documentation may consist of written statements from the office of one or more legitimate social service agencies located in Texas, attesting to the porvision of services to the individual over the previous twelve (12) month period.
Vernon College, as a State supported institution, must comply with this mandate. For additional information on residency requirements, students should contact the Office of Admissions & Records.
