Residency
Tuition rates are determined by the legal residence of the student. Tuition is lower for residents of the Moraine Valley Community College district than for individuals who live out-of-district or out-of-state.
To qualify for in-district tuition, a student must reside in the College’s district at least 30 days immediately before the beginning of the term. A student who temporarily moves into the district for the purpose of attending the College at the in-district rate will not be considered as having established a bona fide residence within the district. Students will be classified as in-district residents or receive an in-district tuition waiver without meeting the general 30-day residency requirement if they:
- Are currently under the legal guardianship of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (“Department”) or have been recently emancipated from the Department and had a placement change into the district;
- Graduate from a recognized high school or are otherwise qualified to attend a public community college and reside outside of any community college district but within the state;
- Enroll in an eligible program not offered by their “sending college;”
- Are employed for at least 35 hours per week by an entity located in the district or are enrolled in a course that is being provided under terms of a contract for services between the employing entity and the College.
- Are on active duty or utilizing benefits under the federal Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008, the federal All-Volunteer Force Educational Assistance Program, or veterans’ education benefits under 38 U.S.C. 3679(c); or
- Demonstrate through documentation a verifiable interest in establishing permanent residency in the district.
To qualify for out-of-district, a student must reside in the State of Illinois at least 30 days immediately before the beginning of the term. A student who temporarily moves into the state for the purpose of attending the College at a reduced tuition rate will not be considered as having established a bona fide residence within the state. Students will be classified as residents of the State or receive an out-of-district tuition waiver without meeting the general 30-day residency requirement if they are:
- Federal job corps workers stationed in Illinois;
- Inmates of State correctional/rehabilitation institutions located in Illinois;
- Employed full-time in Illinois; or
- Demonstrate through documentation a verifiable interest in establishing permanent residency in the State.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, a student will be deemed an Illinois resident for tuition purposes until they establish residency outside of Illinois if all the following conditions are met:
- The individual resided with his or her parent or guardian while attending a public or private high school in this State.
- The individual graduated from a public or private high school or received the equivalent of a high school diploma in this State.
- The individual attended school in this State for at least 3 years as of the date the individual graduated from high school or received the equivalent of a high school diploma.
- The individual registers as an entering student in the community college not earlier than the 2003 fall semester.
- In the case of an individual who is not a citizen or a permanent resident of the United States, the individual provides the community college with an affidavit stating that the individual will file an application to become a permanent resident of the United States at the earliest opportunity the individual is eligible to do so.
View the district map or the Illinois Community College Board’s directory of programs and community college locator. Or, to verify your residency status, call (708) 974-2110.
It is the student’s responsibility to demonstrate residency status. A student may be asked to display a verification of residence before class registration can be completed. The following documents may be presented to verify residency: property tax statement, driver’s license, Illinois state ID card, vehicle registration, copy of lease or purchase agreement, utility bill, internet bill, or voter’s registration card. Documents or bills that are used to verify residence are required to be in the student’s name. Students must provide a street address; a Post Office Box cannot be used to establish residency. Minor students must establish residency through their parents or legal guardians with whom they reside.
Residency status is determined at the time of registration. It will not be changed after the refund period for that semester.
The dean of Enrollment Services or designee will determine whether an applicant meets the residency criterion.