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• Application For In-State Residency Status
• NYS Residency Instructions for TAs/GAs/RAs/Fellows

New York State Residency Requirements for Tuition Purposes

To be eligible for the in-state tuition rate, a student must show that he or she has established in New York State a domicile that is his or her permanent and principal home. Being a resident of New York State includes the decision to abandon one's former state of domicile and establish in New York a domicile which is more than the mere presence that enrollment at the University implies.

Establishing a domicile in New York requires an affirmative decision to adopt New York as one's permanent home and the place to which one expects habitually to return after absences. Residency also implies the student's intent to remain in New York State after completing his or her studies. A student who believes that he or she has established a domicile in New York must demonstrate this through the documents listed below.

Citizens of the United States, permanent residents or non-immigrants with a Visa which permits them to establish a United States residence may be eligible for in-state tuition. Non-immigrants with a visa status which prohibit them from establishing a United States residence would not be eligible for in-state tuition.

A financially dependent student takes residence from the parent(s) on whom the student is dependent.

Generally, in-state tuition becomes effective one year after a student has established a New York State domicile. NOTE: Special instructions for TAs/GAs/RAs/Fellows.

TUITION IS NOT REDUCED RETROACTIVELY. Only complete notarized applications with supporting documentation submitted on or before the following due dates will be reviewed for consideration of NYS Residency for Tuition Purposes:

• Fall Semester: July 1st
• Spring Semester: December 1st
• Summer Semester: June 1st

Click here for the Application for In-State Residency Status

A student who disagrees with the initial decision by the University may appeal the decision in writing within 1 week of having received written notice of denial to the Compliance Officer of Funds Management and Compliance, 232 Capen Hall, Buffalo NY, 14260, attn: Residency Application. If the student still disagrees with the decision, the student may appeal in writing within 1 week of denial date to the Institutional Review Panel for Residency Determination, Cheryl Taplin, Chair, (232 Capen Hall, Buffalo, New York, 14260), for the purpose of final review.

A student will be considered a New York State resident and be charged in-state tuition rates when that individual is determined to have had a New York State domicile (i.e., a permanent and principal home in New York) for a twelve-month period prior to the start of the semester. (Living in college residence halls is considered "temporary" housing for the purpose of attending school. It does not count toward establishing residency in New York State. However, leased apartments (i.e. Creekside Village, Hadley Village, South Lake Village, Flint Village and Flickinger Court) on university property are acceptable.) Persons who do not meet this requirement will be presumed to be out-of-state residents and should be charged out-of-state tuition rates unless satisfactory proof is presented to show that domicile in New York State has, in fact, been established, notwithstanding the durational requirement.

Proof of New York State domicile is demonstrated by documents which support an applicant's contention that his or her permanent home is located in New York State. For unemancipated students, a review is done of the parent's or legal guardian's permanent home.

The chart below lists the kinds of documentation you may submit to prove that you have been residing in New York State for at least the past 12 months. The letter R beside a form of documentation means that you must include it with your application for NYS residency.

Please include a cover letter explaining any extraordinary circumstance and/or reasons for missing documents

* Members of the U.S. Armed Forces who provide documentation they are on full-time active duty and stationed in New York State shall be charged in-state tuition regardless of the actual location of their domicile.

Copies of documents must be submitted for permanent filing. Student Academic Records & Financial Services/Student Response Center will not make copies or return original documents.

Return the completed form to:

• Student Academic Records & Financial Services
• 232 Capen Hall
• Buffalo, NY 14260
• Attn: Residency

PLEASE NOTE: Communications are conducted through UB e-mail, US mail, telephone, or FAX.