RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS FOR IN-STATE TUITION.
Since 1994,
the Virginia General Assembly's budget has not included funding for tuition
discounts at state colleges and universities for family members of active-duty
personnel. As a result, family members who are not bona fide legal
residents of Virginia are charged the full out-of-state-tuition rate at state
colleges and universities.
A Virginia resident is one who has been
domiciled in Virginia and as been an actual bona fide resident of Virginia for a
period of one year. Normally the intent of domicile is evidenced
through the filing and payment of state income tax, voter registration,
automobile registration and driver's license. Specific requirements
can be obtained from college admission's offices. However, military
personnel and their families who establish residency may be immediately eligible
for in-state tuition rates. Affected individuals are strongly
encourage to speak with the domicile office of the school they wish to
attend.
Non-working family members may qualify as in-state students if
the military sponsor has established legal domicile in Virginia for at least a
year. Working spouses may become Virginia residents by satisfying
domicile requirements, including the payment of Virginia Income tax on earnings
of $8,700. This qualification also entitles children for in-state
status if the working non-military parent claims them as dependents for tax
purposes.
Active duty personnel using Navy Tuition Assistance funds to
pay for classes at area schools will continue to pay the in-state
rate. Requests for Navy Tuition Assistance may be initiated at the
Navy College serving the member's duty station.
Personnel using any other
type of payment, such as the Montgomery Bill benefits, will pay out-of-state
charges unless they are a Virginia resident. The one-year waiting
period may be waived if the active duty member chooses to pay state income
tax. To initiate payment of Virginia income tax, members should
contact the dispersing office maintaining their pay record and complete a DD
2508 in duplicate. For information on obtaining a waiver, contact the
school's admissions office.
Following is a partial listing of area
schools providing educational opportunities on and off base.