Lawful Presence for In-State Tuition
Any non-citizen student requesting to pay at the in-state tuition rate will be required to provide verification of their lawful presence in the United States in order to be classified as an in-state student or awarded an out-of-state tuition waiver.
TCSG Procedure 6.2.2p
https://www.tcsg.edu/tcsgpolicy/files/6.2.2p.pdf
“Each college shall be responsible for the verification of the lawful presence in the United States of every successfully admitted student applying for Georgia resident tuition status as required by state and federal immigration laws.”
How can a student verify lawful presence?
Students should submit one of the following documents, which must not expire prior to the first day of the term, by (1) taking your document to the Admissions Office at your OFTC campus or (2) emailing it to admissions@oftc.edu.
- 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.
- 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 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.
| State |
DL/ID Requirements for Acceptance |
| Alabama |
Must NOT be marked “FN” |
| Alaska |
Must NOT be marked “Limited Term” |
| California |
Must NOT be marked “Limited Term.” Instruction Permits, Commercial Learner’s Permits, and temporary Licenses cannot be accepted. |
| Delaware |
Must NOT be marked “Limited Term” or “Temporary” |
| Florida |
Must NOT be marked “Temporary” |
| Georgia |
Must NOT be marked “Limited Term” |
| Idaho |
Must NOT be marked “Limited Term” |
| Iowa |
Must NOT be marked “Limited Term” |
| Kentucky |
Must NOT be marked “Not for REAL ID purposes” |
| Louisiana |
Must NOT be marked “Limited Term” |
| Maryland |
Must NOT indicate “T” restriction |
| Missouri |
Must NOT be marked “Limited Term” |
| Montana |
Must NOT be marked “Limited Term” or “Temporary” |
| Nevada |
Must NOT be marked “Limited Term” |
| North Carolina |
Must NOT be marked “Limited Term” |
| Ohio |
Must NOT indicate that it is “nonrenewable and nontransferable” |
| Oklahoma |
Must NOT be marked “Temporary” |
| South Carolina |
Must NOT be marked “Limited Term” |
| Tennessee |
Must NOT be marked “Temporary” |
| Texas |
Must NOT be marked “Limited Term” or “Temporary” |
| Vermont |
Must NOT be marked “Limited Term” |
| Wisconsin |
Must NOT be marked “Limited Term” |
In-State Tuition Rates
Students (or parent/guardian, if the student is a dependent) that have lived in Georgia for 12 consecutive months or more may request the instate tuition rate. Students must be lawfully present in the United States and meet the in-state tuition requirements as outlined in TCSG Board Policy and Procedure 6.2.2p. to be eligible for the in-state tuition rate. Students requesting the in-state tuition rate must provide proof of Georgia residency.
Out-of-State Tuition Rates
Students who are residents of the United States but do not otherwise qualify as Georgia residents will pay the out-of-state tuition rate. This student is defined as a person who has not established domicile in the State of Georgia for a period of at least 12 months prior to the first day of classes for the term in which the person is intending to enroll. These students are charged tuition at a rate twice that of those eligible for in-state-tuition rate.
International/Foreign Tuition Rates
Those students who are not eligible for either the instate tuition rate or the out-of-state tuition rate are charged four times the amount of the in-state rate.