Eligibility for In-State Tuition and Fees Based Upon Rhode Island High School Attendance Guidance for Students and Families
Go here to read this online at RIC: http://www.ric.edu/bursar/pages/tuition-and-fees.aspx
If you are a student, including an undocumented student, who currently attends or plans to attend Rhode Island College, the University of Rhode Island, or the Community College of Rhode Island, you may be eligible for an in-state tuition rate under a recent policy enacted by the Rhode Island Board of Governors for Higher Education (RIBGHE). We encourage you to review the following information.
NOTE: This page uses Rhode Island College (RIC) as an example application. The University of Rhode Island (URI) and the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) have similar requirements. However, you should visit each school website for details. Go here for information on how to contact them.
If you are a student, including an undocumented student, who currently attends or plans to attend Rhode Island College, the University of Rhode Island, or the Community College of Rhode Island, you may be eligible for an in-state tuition rate under a recent policy enacted by the Rhode Island Board of Governors for Higher Education (RIBGHE). We encourage you to review the following information.
NOTE: This page uses Rhode Island College (RIC) as an example application. The University of Rhode Island (URI) and the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) have similar requirements. However, you should visit each school website for details. Go here for information on how to contact them.
Introduction
In September, 2011, the Rhode Island Board of Governors for Higher Education amended its tuition policy to provide eligibility for in-state tuition and fees to students, including undocumented students, based primarily upon a student’s attendance at a Rhode Island high school. This change went into effect as of the fall 2012 semester.
Eligibility
To be eligible for this new policy, students, including undocumented students, must meet ALL of the following requirements in order to qualify for an in-state tuition and fees rate:
1. The student must have lived in Rhode Island and attended an approved Rhode Island high school for three (3) or more years, and the student must continue to live in Rhode Island; and
2. The student must have lived in Rhode Island and have attended an approved high school in the state of Rhode Island for three (3) or more years and must hold an official high school diploma (or will hold at the time of my enrollment) OR the student must have lived in Rhode Island for three (3) or more years and have earned a G.E.D., known officially as the Rhode Island Senior High School Equivalency Diploma; and
3. If the student is not a U.S. citizen and/or does not have lawful immigration status, he or she must file a signed affidavit with the institution stating that the student has filed an application for lawful U.S. immigration status with the federal government, OR will file such an application as soon as he or she is eligible to do so; and
4. The student is not, and if unemancipated his or her parent(s) does not, hold a temporary immigration classification or other immigration status within the definition of “non-immigrant alien” as described in U.S.C §1101(a)(15). (Please see the Frequently Asked Questions and attached chart for further information on this clause.)
1. The student must have lived in Rhode Island and attended an approved Rhode Island high school for three (3) or more years, and the student must continue to live in Rhode Island; and
2. The student must have lived in Rhode Island and have attended an approved high school in the state of Rhode Island for three (3) or more years and must hold an official high school diploma (or will hold at the time of my enrollment) OR the student must have lived in Rhode Island for three (3) or more years and have earned a G.E.D., known officially as the Rhode Island Senior High School Equivalency Diploma; and
3. If the student is not a U.S. citizen and/or does not have lawful immigration status, he or she must file a signed affidavit with the institution stating that the student has filed an application for lawful U.S. immigration status with the federal government, OR will file such an application as soon as he or she is eligible to do so; and
4. The student is not, and if unemancipated his or her parent(s) does not, hold a temporary immigration classification or other immigration status within the definition of “non-immigrant alien” as described in U.S.C §1101(a)(15). (Please see the Frequently Asked Questions and attached chart for further information on this clause.)
To Apply
You will need to submit an application to be considered for in-state tuition based upon Rhode Island high school attendance, in addition to the application you submit for admission to Rhode Island College. You will need to include the items listed below unless they are already included in your admission application.
If you are applying for admission to RIC, you may submit this package at the same time you submit your RIC admission application. If you are already a student at RIC, you should submit the documents prior to the start of the semester for which you are seeking an in-state tuition rate. Applications submitted after the start of the semester will automatically be considered for in-state tuition for the next semester.
Your application package must include the following items:
1. A completed and signed In-State Tuition Based Upon Rhode Island High School Attendance Application form;
2. A signed and notarized copy of the affidavit included in this packet;
3. Proof of your current residence in Rhode Island. Applicants are encouraged to submit several forms of proof such as a rental agreement, property tax bill, car registration, utility bill, an official piece of mail, or an ID card that lists your address;
4. If not already included in your application for admission, an official, sealed high school transcript or transcripts documenting three years of high school attendance and successful high school graduation OR an official, sealed GED equivalency transcript (known officially as the RI Senior High School Equivalency Diploma Transcript); and
5. If you have applied for legal immigration status, please submit the federal receipt of your application (Form I- 797) or another document that provides proof that you or your parents have formally applied to the U.S. government for legal immigration status.
Please send or deliver your application, affidavit, and all supporting documents to:
Rhode Island College Office of Undergraduate Admissions 600 Mt Pleasant Avenue Providence, RI 02908
Current Rhode Island College students may send their materials to:
Rhode Island College Records Office 600 Mt Pleasant Avenue Providence, RI 02908
If you are applying for admission to RIC, you may submit this package at the same time you submit your RIC admission application. If you are already a student at RIC, you should submit the documents prior to the start of the semester for which you are seeking an in-state tuition rate. Applications submitted after the start of the semester will automatically be considered for in-state tuition for the next semester.
Your application package must include the following items:
1. A completed and signed In-State Tuition Based Upon Rhode Island High School Attendance Application form;
2. A signed and notarized copy of the affidavit included in this packet;
3. Proof of your current residence in Rhode Island. Applicants are encouraged to submit several forms of proof such as a rental agreement, property tax bill, car registration, utility bill, an official piece of mail, or an ID card that lists your address;
4. If not already included in your application for admission, an official, sealed high school transcript or transcripts documenting three years of high school attendance and successful high school graduation OR an official, sealed GED equivalency transcript (known officially as the RI Senior High School Equivalency Diploma Transcript); and
5. If you have applied for legal immigration status, please submit the federal receipt of your application (Form I- 797) or another document that provides proof that you or your parents have formally applied to the U.S. government for legal immigration status.
Please send or deliver your application, affidavit, and all supporting documents to:
Rhode Island College Office of Undergraduate Admissions 600 Mt Pleasant Avenue Providence, RI 02908
Current Rhode Island College students may send their materials to:
Rhode Island College Records Office 600 Mt Pleasant Avenue Providence, RI 02908
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who is classified as a non-immigrant alien? The term “non-immigrant alien” refers to a classification in the U.S. Immigration Code that identifies certain individuals (such as employees of foreign embassies or corporations and their families) who are in the United States temporarily on a special U.S. visa for professional purposes or to fill a specialized job that otherwise cannot be filled by a U.S. citizen. Please consult the attached Visa Status chart for further information.
Why must I sign the affidavit to qualify for in-state tuition and fees based upon Rhode Island high school attendance? The affidavit you must sign is necessary for you to prove that you live in Rhode Island, that you have attended a Rhode Island high school for at least three years and that you have graduated from a Rhode Island high school (or, if not, have obtained a Rhode Island Graduate Equivalency Diploma (GED), that you have filed for U.S. immigration status (or will do so as soon as you are eligible), and that you (or if you are under the age of 18, your parents) are not in the United States as a non-immigrant alien (see explanation above).
What will happen if I fail to apply for immigration status? The Board of Governors has decided that if an undocumented student has not filed for immigrant status within one year of becoming eligible to do so, eligibility for in-state tuition based upon high school attendance will be denied in future academic years.
When does the RIBGHE policy on in-state tuition based upon Rhode Island high school attendance take effect? This policy will go into effect beginning September 2012 for the fall 2012 semester
When should I begin the process of applying for in-state tuition based upon Rhode Island high school attendance? You should include your application and affidavit for in-state tuition when you send your completed application for admission or as soon thereafter as possible.
Am I still eligible to apply for in-state tuition based upon Rhode Island high school attendance if I am already enrolled as an undergraduate student at URI, RIC or CCRI and am paying out-of-state tuition (or have paid it in the past)? This policy went into effect as of fall semester 2012. All applications submitted after the start of the semester will be considered for in-state tuition based upon Rhode Island high school attendance for the next semester.
Will applying for in-state tuition based upon Rhode Island high school attendance place me or my family at any risk? Prior to filing this application and affidavit, it is recommended that you seek legal guidance if you have any questions regarding your present immigration status; the possible legal and/or immigration ramifications that may arise from your filing of this application; and/or your execution of this Affidavit.
Whom should I contact if I have further questions? You may obtain further information through Rhode Island College’s Office of Undergraduate Admissions or Records Office.
Go here for more information about applying online at RIC: http://www.ric.edu/bursar/pages/tuition-and-fees.aspx
Why must I sign the affidavit to qualify for in-state tuition and fees based upon Rhode Island high school attendance? The affidavit you must sign is necessary for you to prove that you live in Rhode Island, that you have attended a Rhode Island high school for at least three years and that you have graduated from a Rhode Island high school (or, if not, have obtained a Rhode Island Graduate Equivalency Diploma (GED), that you have filed for U.S. immigration status (or will do so as soon as you are eligible), and that you (or if you are under the age of 18, your parents) are not in the United States as a non-immigrant alien (see explanation above).
What will happen if I fail to apply for immigration status? The Board of Governors has decided that if an undocumented student has not filed for immigrant status within one year of becoming eligible to do so, eligibility for in-state tuition based upon high school attendance will be denied in future academic years.
When does the RIBGHE policy on in-state tuition based upon Rhode Island high school attendance take effect? This policy will go into effect beginning September 2012 for the fall 2012 semester
When should I begin the process of applying for in-state tuition based upon Rhode Island high school attendance? You should include your application and affidavit for in-state tuition when you send your completed application for admission or as soon thereafter as possible.
Am I still eligible to apply for in-state tuition based upon Rhode Island high school attendance if I am already enrolled as an undergraduate student at URI, RIC or CCRI and am paying out-of-state tuition (or have paid it in the past)? This policy went into effect as of fall semester 2012. All applications submitted after the start of the semester will be considered for in-state tuition based upon Rhode Island high school attendance for the next semester.
Will applying for in-state tuition based upon Rhode Island high school attendance place me or my family at any risk? Prior to filing this application and affidavit, it is recommended that you seek legal guidance if you have any questions regarding your present immigration status; the possible legal and/or immigration ramifications that may arise from your filing of this application; and/or your execution of this Affidavit.
Whom should I contact if I have further questions? You may obtain further information through Rhode Island College’s Office of Undergraduate Admissions or Records Office.
Go here for more information about applying online at RIC: http://www.ric.edu/bursar/pages/tuition-and-fees.aspx
Definitions
Unemancipated: Un-emancipated means that you are still a legal dependent of your parent or under the supervision of a court-appointed guardian.
Affidavit: An affidavit is a written declaration that is sworn to before a person legally authorized to administer an oath, such as a notary public.
Notary Public: A Notary Public is someone legally empowered to witness signatures and certify a document's validity. A Notary also records in writing sworn statements made under oath, such as an affidavit, to serve as evidence. Notaries are often found in educational institutions, banks, many places of business, or in other public places.
Paragraph (15) of subsection (a) of section 1101 of title 8 of the United States Code:
The U.S. Code is a compendium of U.S. law. Title 8, paragraph (15a) of section 1101 provides various legal definitions for the terms “immigrant” and “non-immigrant alien.” Non-immigrant alien classifications under this section are listed on the attached chart.
Affidavit: An affidavit is a written declaration that is sworn to before a person legally authorized to administer an oath, such as a notary public.
Notary Public: A Notary Public is someone legally empowered to witness signatures and certify a document's validity. A Notary also records in writing sworn statements made under oath, such as an affidavit, to serve as evidence. Notaries are often found in educational institutions, banks, many places of business, or in other public places.
Paragraph (15) of subsection (a) of section 1101 of title 8 of the United States Code:
The U.S. Code is a compendium of U.S. law. Title 8, paragraph (15a) of section 1101 provides various legal definitions for the terms “immigrant” and “non-immigrant alien.” Non-immigrant alien classifications under this section are listed on the attached chart.