Many parents, families, and students express interest about the requirements for New York State resident tuition at Purchase College. The difference between the resident and non-resident tuition rates is significant, and the requirements can be complex.
We are now taking application for consideration for the Fall 2025 semester.
Student Financial Services Purchase College, SUNY 735 Anderson Hill Road Purchase, NY 10577
Each individual SUNY campus is responsible for determining a student’s residency status and tuition charges, and the campus determination is final.
Typically students who meet the criteria below are eligible for New York State tuition:
You are an emancipated U.S. citizen or permanent resident
Your domicile (a fixed, permanent home to which you intend to return) has been in the State of New York for a period of at least 12 months immediately preceding the time of registration.
Your domicile is that of your custodial parent(s) or legal guardian.
If your parents are divorced or legally separated:
The custodial parent is a New York State resident; or
You reside with a non-custodial parent who is a New York State resident and intend to continue to reside with that parent throughout your time at Purchase.
This is based on the information you provided during the admissions process. If you are classified as a non-resident (out of state), you can request reclassification by submitting a residency application and supporting request with documentation.
Residency guidelines for the purpose of receiving a New York State TAP grant are not affected by any college residency determination. Residency for TAP purposes is determined solely by New York State HESC.
Completed residency applications should be submitted to the Office of Student Accounts prior to registration (the last day of add/drop) for the semester in which tuition is due. Residency applications received after the end of the add/drop period will be considered for the following term.
Applying for Residency
In order to apply for residency you must complete the following:
Submit all required documentation from the residency checklist.
Residency
Alien Registration Card or Visa (Non-U.S. Citizens only) Permanent Residents, Refugees and Asylees, including those with pending applications, certain visa holders* and some undocumented aliens may establish NYS residency in accordance with these policies.
* A1-A3, E1, E2, G1-G5, H1B, H1C, H4, I, K1-K4, L1 and L2, N8 and N9, O1, O3, S5-S7, T1-T4, U1-U4, and V1-V3.
Documents to Demonstrate Domicile
(All documents must reflect a period of at least 12 months immediately preceding the time of registration in order to be considered)
At least three must be submitted, but more documents may be requested. If additional documents are requested, you must submit them within 30 days of the request in order for your application to still be considered.
Signed New York State Residential Lease or Deed (At least 12 months prior to the start of the semester)
New York State Resident Income Tax Return (from prior year.)
NYS Bank Account (must be a currently held account: one current statement and one statement issued 12 months prior to the start of the semester.)
Documents to Demonstrate Financial Independence
In addition to documents used to demonstrate domicile.
New York State and Federal Income Tax Returns (from prior year)
TA/GA Departmental Offer Letter With Signatures (Graduate Students)
W-2 and 1099 statements
Military Personnel
Members of the U.S. Armed Forces while on full-time active duty and stationed within New York State, as well as their dependents, are eligible for the resident tuition rate.
Dependents of full-time active duty personnel who are stationed outside NY State qualify for resident tuition if the service member’s “Home of Record” is New York.
Civilian employees of the military are not included in these exceptions to the domicile requirements.
Immigrant, Non-immigrant, Undocumented Students and Other Non-residents
Students claiming to be immigrants must present proof of their status by providing the campus with a valid Permanent Resident Card. Once a student’s immigrant status has been verified, the student may then establish New York State residency by meeting the domicile criteria. See Proof of Domicile (above).
Non-immigrants are grouped in categories depending on the type of visa presented at the port of entry. Non-immigrants admitted to the United States in categories that prohibit them from establishing a United States residence are not eligible for resident tuition.
In general, the Federal Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act prohibits students who are unable to present valid documentation of their alien status from eligibility for the resident tuition rate.
Non-resident students, including undocumented students, who attend for at least two years and graduate from a New York high school may be eligible for resident tuition.
Appeals
If you wish to appeal your residency decision, you may do so by submitting additional information in support of your claim. Written appeals should be sent to:
Purchase College Residency Appeals Committee c/o Victoria Woisin, Director of Student Financial Services 735 Anderson Hill Road Purchase, NY 10577
Or you can email, Victoria Woisin, your appeal at financialservices@purchase.edu
Your appeal will be reviewed by the Purchase College Residency Appeals Committee. Upon review, you will receive a decision. Decisions made by the Residency Appeals Committee are final.
