A student's eligibility for the in-state tuition rate is based on information provided by the student on the domicile portion of the college application. This eligibility for in-state tuition is determined by the State Council of Higher Education (SCHEV) guidelines pertaining to Code of Virginia, Chapter 5. In-State Tuition and Reduced Rate Tuition Eligibility.
A student shall establish by clear and convincing evidence that for a period of at least one year immediately prior to the first day of the enrollment term s/he was domiciled in Virginia. If you are legally and financially dependent on your parents, legal guardian or spouse, your eligibility is based on their domicile. The student's domicile (residency) is determined by several factors which include but are not limited to:

  • Continuous residence in Virginia
  • State income tax payment
  • Driver's license or identification card
  • Motor vehicle registration
  • Voter registration
  • Military records

A dependent student is a student who receives substantial financial support from his or her parents or legal guardian. If you are under age 24 on the first day of classes, you will be classified as a dependent student unless you are:

  • Married
  • A veteran or active-duty member of the U.S. armed forces
  • Are in graduate school
  • A ward of the court or were a ward of the court until age 18
  • Have no adoptive or legal guardian when both parents are deceased
  • Have legal dependents other than a spouse

Reynolds will look at the student's parents' domicile to determine if a dependent student is eligible for in-state tuition. A student under the age of 24 who doesn't meet any of these conditions is to be considered dependent and must be able to demonstrate through clear and convincing evidence that s/he is independent. Parents' will need to provide documentation that they do not claim the student as a dependent on their federal or state income tax return and have ceased to provide substantial financial support.

Married students may establish domicile like any other student. A person's domicile is not automatically altered by marriage. However, if a student receives substantial financial support from his or her spouse, the student may claim domicile through the spouse. In such cases the college will look at the spouse's domicile to determine if the student is eligible for in-state tuition.

An active duty military service member may qualify for a waiver of the one-year residency requirement by voluntarily electing to establish domicile in Virginia. The one-year residency requirement will be waived if all other conditions for establishing domicile are met, including, but not limited to, Virginia resident income taxes on all income (Leave/Earning Statement showing Virginia tax withheld) or Virginia State of Legal Residence Certificate (DD2058). Copies of these documents must be provided by the student to claim eligibility for this waiver prior to the beginning of the enrollment term.

The State Council for Higher Education Domicile Guidelines provide that all dependents of active duty military personnel assigned to a permanent duty station in Virginia who reside in Virginia shall be deemed to be domiciled in Virginia for the purpose of eligibility for in-state tuition. All dependents of such military personnel receiving in-state tuition shall be afforded the same educational benefits as any other individual receiving in-state tuition so long as they are continuously enrolled in an institution of higher education in Virginia or are transferring between Virginia institutions of higher education.

If you are a new student this semester (or are returning after an absence of at least one term), and you have been classified as out-of-state for tuition purposes, you may request a review of the initial determination without submitting a full appeal. If you have pre-registered, please be sure to submit this request no later than 48 hours before the payment deadline. The Request for Review of Domicile Classification with accompanying documentation can be presented to the Admissions Office, faxed to the Admissions Office at (804) 371-3650, or emailed to Admissions@Reynolds.edu. If it is determined that you need to appeal your tuition status, you may do so until the day before first official day of the term.

A student wishing to appeal an out-of-state tuition status will need to submit a completed Application for Reclassification of Student's Domicile Status with supporting documentation to the Admissions Office. Evaluation of the domicile appeal will be completed by the first day of classes for each enrollment term. Retroactive domicile status cannot be granted. Written notification of the college decision will be mailed within fifteen (15) calendar days of receipt of the completed application. If you are denied the in-state tuition status, you will be provided with a written statement of the reasons for the denial and information on how to file: 1) a request for reconsideration of this decision or 2) an appeal to the next level of review.