Chapter VII: Admissions and General Information Residency Regulations of the University University of Michigan Residency Classification Guidelines   effective Spring Term 2002 The University of Michigan enrolls students from 50 states and more than 120 countries. Residency Classification Guidelines have been developed to ensure that decisions about whether a student pays in-state or out-of-state tuition are fair and equitable and that all applicants for admission or enrolled students, even those who believe they are Michigan residents, understand they may be asked to complete an Application for Resident Classification and provide additional information to document their residency status. We realize that the outcome of a residency determination is a critical factor for many students in their enrollment decision. Please read these guidelines carefully so you understand how a residency determination is made and how to verify your eligibility for resident classification. A Michigan Resident? You May Still Need to File a Residency Application If you believe you are a Michigan resident and any of the following circumstances apply, you must file an Application for Resident Classification and be approved to qualify for in-state tuition: you currently live outside the state of Michigan for any purpose, including, but not limited to, education, volunteer activities, military service, travel, employment. you have attended or graduated from a college outside the state of Michigan. you have been employed or domiciled outside the state of Michigan within the last three years. you are not a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident Alien (if you're a Permanent Resident Alien, you must have a Permanent Resident Alien card). your spouse, partner, or parent is in Michigan as a nonresident student, medical resident, fellow, or for military assignment or other temporary employment. you are 24 years of age or younger and a parent lives outside the state of Michigan. you are 24 years of age or younger and have attended or graduated from a high school outside the state of Michigan. you have attended or graduated from an out-of-state high school and have been involved in educational pursuits for the majority of time since high school graduation. you previously attended any U-M campus (Ann Arbor, Dearborn, or Flint) as a nonresident. Other circumstances may also require you to file a residency application. How and Where do I File a Residency Application? Residency applications and in-person assistance are available at the Residency Classification Office, 1514 LS&A Building, 500 South State Street, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1382, phone (734) 764-1400. Business hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays. Filing Deadlines September 30 for Fall Term January 31 for Winter Term July 31 for Spring, Spring/Summer, and Summer Terms Applications must be received in the Residency Classification Office by 5 p.m. on the deadline date. If the deadline falls on a weekend, it will be extended to the next business day. The deadline date is always after the first day of classes of the term in which you are enrolling and seeking residency. These deadlines apply to all U-M schools, colleges, and campuses. For the On-Job/On-Campus program only, filing deadlines are 30 calendar days after the first scheduled day of classes of the term applied for. You may apply for resident classification for any term in which you are enrolled or intend to enroll. Late applications will be assessed a nonrefundable $300 late fee and will be accepted up to the last published day of classes of the term for which you are applying. Late applications received after the last day of classes will be processed for the following term. In all cases, decisions will be based only on those facts that are in place by the original filing deadline for the term under consideration. What Documents do I Need to File for Resident Classification? Along with the completed Application for Resident Classification form, you must provide the following: for all applicants: copies of your driver's license and the license(s) of the person or persons upon whom you are basing your claim to resident eligibility. for all applicants: copies of the front and signature pages of the most recent year's federal and state income tax returns and W2 forms for you and the person or persons upon whom you are basing your claim to resident eligibility. for applicants born outside the U.S.: verification of U.S. citizenship or visa status. for applicants who are dependents (see Residency Classification Guideline B-1 below ): copies of the front and signature pages of your parents' most recent year's federal and state income tax returns with accompanying W2 forms. for applicants whose claim to eligibility for resident classification is based on permanent, full-time employment for themselves, a spouse, partner or parent: a letter from the employer, written on letterhead (including phone number), stating the position, status, and dates of employment. In addition to the letter, provide a copy of the most recent pay stub showing Michigan taxes being withheld. for all applicants: any other documentation that supports your claim to resident eligibility. The Residency Classification Office may request additional documentation. All information will be kept confidential to the extent permitted by law. In making residency determinations, the University considers all information provided in or with an application. Decisions to approve a residency application are made when the applicant has presented clear and convincing evidence that a permanent domicile in the state of Michigan has been established. More on Residency Classification Guidelines Because each of Michigan's public universities has autonomous authority to establish residency guidelines for admission and tuition purposes, guidelines vary by school and are independent of regulations used by other state authorities to determine residency for such purposes as income and property tax liability, driving, and voting. The University of Michigan's current Residency Classification Guidelines were approved by its Board of Regents to take effect Spring Term 2002 and to apply to students at all campuses. The Board of Regents has authorized the Residency Classification Office in the Office of the Registrar on the Ann Arbor campus to administer the University's residency guidelines. If your activities and circumstances as documented to the Residency Classification Office demonstrate establishment of a permanent domicile in Michigan, you will be classified as a resident once your eligibility has been confirmed. If your presence in the state is based on activities or circumstances that are determined to be temporary or indeterminate, you will be classified as a nonresident. Our Residency Classification Guidelines explain how you can document establishment of a permanent domicile in Michigan. To overcome a presumption of nonresident status, you must file a residency application and document that a Michigan domicile has been established. Eligibility criteria are explained in more detail in sections A and B of this document. Meeting the criteria to be placed in an "eligible" category doesn't guarantee that you will automatically be classified a resident. If you have had any out of state activities or ties, or if the University otherwise questions your residency status, you will need to confirm your eligibility to be classified as a resident by filing an Application for Resident Classification in a timely manner and by providing clear and convincing evidence that you are eligible for resident classification under the following Guidelines. A. General Guidelines 1. Circumstances that may demonstrate permanent domicile The following circumstances and activities, though not conclusive or exhaustive, may lend support to a claim to eligibility for resident classification if other applicable Guidelines (see section B) are met: both parents (in the case of divorce, one parent) permanently domiciled in Michigan as demonstrated by permanent employment, establishment of a household, and severance of out-of-state ties. applicant employed in Michigan in a full-time, permanent position, provided that the applicant's employment is the primary purpose for his or her presence in the state and that out of state ties have been severed. If the applicant is married or has a partner, the employment must be the primary purpose for the family's presence in Michigan. spouse or partner employed in Michigan in a full-time, permanent position, provided that the employment of the spouse or partner is the primary purpose for the family's presence in the state, and that out of state ties have been severed. 2. Circumstances that do not demonstrate permanent domicile The circumstances and activities listed below are temporary or indeterminate and do not demonstrate permanent domicile: enrollment in high school, community college, or university. participation in a medical residency program, fellowship, or internship. employment that is temporary or short-term or of the type usually considered an internship or apprenticeship. employment of the spouse or partner of an individual who is in Michigan for temporary pursuits. employment in a position normally held by a student. military assignment in Michigan for the applicant or the applicant's spouse, partner, or parent (see section C for special military provision) payment of Michigan income tax and/or filing of Michigan resident income tax returns. presence of relatives (other than parents). ownership of property or payment of Michigan property taxes. possession of a Michigan driver's license. voter registration in Michigan. possession of a Permanent Resident Alien visa. continuous physical presence for one year or more. statement of intent to be domiciled in Michigan. B. Eligibility Criteria for Residency Even if one or more of the following circumstances applies to you, you may still need to file an application for resident classification. If you have had any out-of-state activity or have any out-of-state ties, you must submit an Application for Resident Classification by the filing deadline to request resident classification and confirm your eligibility. You must document that you meet all of the following applicable criteria to be eligible for resident classification and payment of in-state tuition. 1. Dependent Students For U-M residency classification purposes, you are presumed to be a dependent of your parents if you are 24 years of age or younger and (1) have been primarily involved in educational pursuits, or (2) have not been financially self-supporting through employment. a. Residents i. Dependent Student – Parents in Michigan. If your parents are domiciled in Michigan as defined by University Residency Classification Guidelines, you are presumed to be eligible for resident classification as long as you have not taken steps to establish a domicile outside of Michigan or any other action inconsistent with maintaining a domicile in Michigan. ii. Dependent Student of Divorced Parents – One Parent in Michigan. If your parents are divorced, you are presumed to be eligible for resident classification if one parent is domiciled in Michigan as defined by University Residency Classification Guidelines, and if you have not taken steps to establish an independent domicile outside of Michigan or any other action inconsistent with maintaining a domicile in Michigan. iii. Dependent Resident Student Whose Parents Leave Michigan. If you are a student living in Michigan and permanently domiciled in the state as defined by University Residency Classification Guidelines, you are presumed to retain resident status eligibility if your parents leave the state provided: you have completed at least your junior year of high school prior to your parents' departure; you remain in Michigan, enrolled full-time in high school or an institution of higher education; and you have not taken steps to establish a domicile outside Michigan or any other action inconsistent with maintaining a domicile in Michigan. b. Nonresidents The University presumes you are a nonresident if you are a dependent student and your parents are domiciled outside the state of Michigan. 2. Michigan Residents and Absences From the State You may be able to retain your eligibility for resident classification under the conditions listed below if you are domiciled in Michigan as defined by University Residency Classification Guidelines and leave the state for certain types of activities. However, if you have been absent from the state, you must file an Application for Resident Classification by the appropriate filing deadline to request resident classification and demonstrate your eligibility. a. Absence for Active Duty Military Service (U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Officers in the Public Health Service), Non-Administrative Missionary Work, Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, or Similar Philanthropic Work If you are domiciled in Michigan at the time of entry into active military duty, missionary work, Peace Corps, or similar service, you are presumed to retain your eligibility for resident classification as long as you are on continuous active duty or in continuous service and continuously claim Michigan as the state of legal residence for income tax purposes. If you are a dependent child of such an individual, you are presumed to be eligible for resident classification provided: (1) you are coming to the U-M directly from high school or have been continuously enrolled in college since graduating from high school, and (2) you have not claimed residency for tuition purposes elsewhere. b. Absence for Education or Training If you are domiciled in Michigan immediately preceding an absence from the state for full-time enrollment at a college or university or for a formal, full-time medical residency program, medical internship or fellowship, you are presumed to retain your eligibility for resident classification provided: you have maintained significant ties to the state during your absence (e.g., your parents remain domiciled in Michigan, you continue to maintain for personal family use the home that was previously your principal residence in Michigan, etc.); you sever out-of-state ties upon returning to Michigan; and you have not claimed residency for tuition purposes elsewhere. c. Absence for Employment and Personal Development to Enhance Qualifications for a Degree Program. The University recognizes the vital role of nonacademic and work experience in your education, and many graduate programs require or recommend that you have up to three years of relevant work experience before applying. If you were domiciled in Michigan immediately preceding an absence from the state of 3 years or less, and the absence was for employment or personal development activities undertaken for the purpose of enhancing qualifications for a degree program, you may return to the University as a resident for admission and tuition purposes provided: you have maintained significant ties to the state during your absence (e.g., your parents remain domiciled in Michigan, you continue to maintain for personal family use the home that was previously your principal residence in Michigan, etc.); you sever out-of-state ties upon returning to Michigan; and you have not claimed residency for tuition purposes elsewhere. d. Temporary Absence of Less Than One Year If you have been domiciled in Michigan immediately preceding other absences from the state and you return within one year, you are presumed to retain eligibility for resident classification provided: 1) you have maintained significant ties to the state during your absence (e.g., your parents remain domiciled in Michigan, you continue to maintain for personal family use the home that was previously your principal residence in Michigan, etc.), (2) you sever out-of-state ties upon returning to Michigan, and (3) you have not claimed residency for tuition purposes elsewhere. 3. Immigrants and Aliens You must be entitled to reside permanently in the United States to be eligible for resident classification at the University. However, like U.S. citizens, you must also show you have established a Michigan domicile as defined in these Guidelines. The Residency Classification Office will review Applications for Resident Classification if you are in one of the following immigrant categories: Permanent Resident Aliens (must be fully processed and possess Permanent Resident Alien card or stamp in a passport verifying final approval by filing deadline for applicable term.) Refugees (I-94 card must designate "Refugee.") A, E (primary), G and I visa holders. (Based upon current law, these nonimmigrant visa classifications are the only ones that permit the visa holder to establish a domicile in the United States.) 4. One Year Continuous Physical Presence If you are unable to demonstrate establishment of a domicile in Michigan as defined by the University's Guidelines, you will be required to document one year of continuous physical presence in the state as part of your efforts to demonstrate eligibility for resident classification in any subsequent application. The year to be documented will be the year immediately preceding the first day of classes of the term for which residency is sought. The year of continuous physical presence in the state is never the only criterion for determining eligibility for resident classification and, in itself, will not qualify you for resident status (see sections A 1 and B 1, 2, and 3 for additional eligibility criteria). If there is a significant change in the circumstances regarding your presence in Michigan and you can clearly demonstrate that you have established a permanent Michigan domicile, you may be eligible for resident classification prior to the passage of one year of physical presence in the state and are encouraged to submit an Application for Resident Classification for any subsequent term in accordance with the applicable filing deadline. To demonstrate the year of continuous presence in Michigan, you will need to document actual physical presence through enrollment, employment, in-person financial transactions, etc. Having a lease or a permanent address in the state does not, in itself, qualify as physical presence. Short absences (summer vacation of 21 days or less, spring break, and the break between fall and winter term) will not jeopardize compliance with the one-year requirement. However, in evaluating an absence, its nature will be assessed to determine whether it is contrary to an intent to be domiciled in Michigan. If you are absent from the state for periods of time other than those mentioned above or fail to document your presence at the beginning and end of the year, you will not meet the criteria for the one-year continuous physical presence requirement. C. Special Provision For Active Duty Military Personnel Assigned To Michigan Active duty military personnel who are on assignment in Michigan, as well as their accompanying spouses and dependent children, will be allowed to pay in-state tuition while they attend the University of Michigan, even though they will not be eligible to be classified as residents under the Residency Classification Guidelines. This provision applies to persons in the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard, and to officers in the Public Health Service. In order to request this special consideration, the student must submit a residency application by the applicable filing deadline and provide documentation demonstrating eligibility D. How Can I Appeal? If you filed an Application for Resident Classification and were denied by the Residency Classification Office, you have recourse to an appeal process by filing a written appeal within 30 calendar days of the denial. The Board of Regents established the Residency Appeal Committee to review decisions made by the Residency Classification Office. The Appeal Committee is chaired by the Vice President and Secretary of the University and includes two other University administrators, a faculty member, and a student. The Residency Coordinator and other staff members in the Residency Classification Office are not part of the Appeal Committee. Appeals, which must be in writing, should be submitted to the Residency Classification Office. Please note that the written appeal must be received by the Residency Classification Office within 30 calendar days of the date on the denial letter. If the deadline falls on a weekend or University holiday, it will be extended to the next business day. If there is additional information you would like the Residency Appeal Committee to consider beyond the materials you already have submitted, you should submit that additional information, in writing with appropriate supporting documentation when you submit your written appeal. Your request and any additional information and documentation you provide will be forwarded to the Residency Appeal Committee with your original file. All communications to the Residency Appeal Committee must be in writing. Personal contact with a member of the Committee could disqualify the member from participating in the decision regarding your residency. The Residency Appeal Committee does not meet in person with students, and appearances on behalf of students are not permitted at appeal meetings. After the Appeal Committee has completed its deliberations, you will receive the Committee's final decision in writing. This will conclude the appeal process for the term covered by the application. The University will not conduct any further review of the decision. Warning: Misrepresentation or Falsification of Information Can be Costly Individuals who provide false or misleading information or omit relevant information in an application for admission or for resident classification, or any other document related to residency eligibility may be subject to legal or disciplinary measures. Students who are improperly classified as residents based on such information will have their residency classification changed and may be retroactively charged nonresident tuition for the period of time they were improperly classified. The University also reserves the right to audit prospective or enrolled students at any time regarding eligibility for resident classification and to reclassify students who are classified incorrectly. 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