Residency Requirements
NYC Tuition Rates for All*
You don't have to live in New York City to get the bargain NYC tuition rate offered by Queensborough! In fact, if you're a resident of New York State—anywhere in New York State—you could be eligible for NYC tuition rates!* That means you, Nassau County!
Use the information on this page to find out how your resident status impacts your tuition rates and what actions you need to take to secure the NYC tuition rate. Learn more about CUNY's residency requirements.
*Restrictions and county requirements may apply and impact your ability to receive the NYC tuition rate. All New York State residents, depending upon citizenship status and county requirements, may be eligible for NYC tuition rates. Questions? Contact the Office of the Bursar.
Residency Options
I live in New York City
You qualify for the NYC tuition rate if you have lived in New York State for the past year and must have lived in New York City as your principal place of residence for six consecutive months immediately preceding the first day of classes for the semester you want to attend. You will need to declare that you intend to make NYC your permanent place of residence. Here's the easy part: If you are a NYC or NYS high school graduate or a NYC GED holder, you don't need to prove residency (unless you are an undocumented student).
Fill out the Certificate of Residence form for New York City.
I live in Nassau County
You may qualify for the NYC rate!* You'll need to obtain a Certificate of Residence from your County Treasurer's Office before the 30th day of the term to qualify. After you've obtained your certificate, email a picture of the certificate to the Office of the Bursar.
- Your Certificate of Residence is valid for one calendar year.
- If you're a new student, identify the semester you plan on attending.
- You've got 60 days before the start of the semester and 30 days into the term to receive a Certificate of Residence!
- If you don't use the certificate for the semester for which it was obtained, it becomes invalid and you'll need to apply for a new certificate.
- If you're a returning student and you've already submitted a Certificate of Residence, your certificate is good for one calendar year. You will need to apply for a new certificate for the term that begins your next calendar year according to the regulations above.
How do I get a Certificate of Residence? Fill out the Certificate of Residence form for:
The above link will take you to an external website. Be sure to follow all instructions completely.
Important: It's your responsibility to make sure that a valid Certificate of Residence is on file.
* Nassau county may have its own residency requirements and conditions that could impact your ability to receive Queensborough's NYC tuition rate. Please check with your county Treasurer's Office for complete information.
I live in another county in New York State
You may qualify for the NYC rate!* You'll need to obtain a Certificate of Residence from your county Treasurer's Office or Department of Finance to qualify. After you've obtained your certificate, please bring the original hard copy to any window at the Office of the Bursar and our staff will help you.
- Your Certificate of Residence is valid for one Academic Year.
- You've got 90 days to apply for a Certificate of Residence: 60 days before the start and 30 days after the start of the semester.
- If you submit your Certificate of Residence for the spring or summer of any academic year and want to continue classes in the fall, you *must* submit a new Certificate of Residence for the fall because it's the start of a new academic year.
- If you submit your Certificate of Residence for the fall semester, your Certificate of Residence will be valid for that fall, spring and summer as they are all part of one continuous academic year.
How do I get a Certificate of Residence?
Fill out the Certificate of Residence form for:†
- Suffolk County Opens in a new window
- Westchester County Opens in a new window
- Albany County Opens in a new window
- Broome County Opens in a new window
- Dutchess County Opens in a new window
- Erie County Opens in a new window
- Greene County Opens in a new window
- Madison CountyOpens in a new window
- Onondaga County Opens in a new window
- Orange County Opens in a new window
- Rockland County Opens in a new window
- Putnam County Opens in a new window
- Saratoga County Opens in a new window
The above links will take you to external websites. Be sure to follow all instructions completely.
† Not all counties have online forms. If your NYS county of residence isn't listed above, they still participate in this program. Please contact your county Treasurer's Office or Department of Finance for more information.
Important: It's your responsibility to make sure that a valid Certificate of Residence is on file.
* Each New York State county may have their own residency requirements and conditions that could impact your ability to receive Queensborough's NYC tuition rate. Please check with your county Treasurer's Office or Department of Finance for complete information.
You May be Eligible for In-City Rate if you meet the following:
Not sure what option to select above, take a look below to see if you match any of the categories listed:
Citizen of United States
| A) Types of Acceptable Proof: |
United States passport OR Birth Certificate OR Naturalization Certificate |
|---|---|
| B) Two Acceptable Proof of address |
***One Year New York State Residence Is Required |
| C) Required Form |
City University Residence Form |
Lawful Permanent Status
| A) Types of Acceptable Proof: |
Lawful Permanent Resident OR Resident Alien Un-expired Conditional Permanent Resident Card (form I-551 with a two years expiration date) OR I-551 stamp in passport indicating evidence of lawful residence OR Copy of I-90 (replacement of green card along with U.S. postal Service return receipt or a canceled check or money order |
|---|---|
| B) Two Acceptable Proof of address |
***One Year New York State Residence Is Required |
| C) Required Form |
City University Residence Form |
Non-Immigrant
A, E, G, H-1, H-4, I, K, L, N, R, S, T, V, U
| A) Types of Acceptable Proof: |
Passport containing the UNEXPIRED of the type aforementioned OR I-94 Arrival/Departure document with the visa and either duration of status (D/S) or an expiration date not yet reached OR Unexpired Employment Authorization Card with the following codes: (A)(3), for Refugee; (A)(5) for Asylee and (A))10) for withholding of deportation OR DACA OR C08, C09, C10, C11, C14, C19, C22, C24 and C33 |
|---|---|
| B) Two Acceptable Proof of address |
***One Year New York State Residence Is Required |
| C) Required Form |
City University Residence Form |
Undocumented
| A) Types of Acceptable Proof: |
Enrolled in CUNY for the Fall 2001 semester, and you qualified for in-state tuition at that time OR Attended a New York State high school for two or more years, graduated, and applied to attend a CUNY institution within five years of receiving your New York State diploma OR Received a General Equivalency Diploma (GED) form New York State, and applied to attend a CUNY Institution within five years of receiving the New York State GED. |
|---|---|
| B) One year New York state residence not required | |
| C) Required Form |
City University Residence Form Affidavit of Intent Legalize Immigration Status |
A community college student qualifies for the resident tuition rate if he/she is a U.S. citizen, permanent resident or a student with certain Non-immigrant Statuses.
If you meet the resident tuition requirement (Lower rate) and think that you have been charged for out-of-state rate, please provide proper documentation to the Registrar's office. Your tuition can be adjusted to In-City (resident tuition rate).
***Time Frame for College Review
The colleges will not review any residency determination unless the request for the review is made in writing, and all required documentation is submitted on or before the last day of finals in the semester for which resident tuition is being sought. The colleges will not make residency determinations retroactively and will not issue refunds to students even in cases where they would have qualified for the resident rate if they had submitted timely documentation.
Residency in Brief
The following outlines the basic requirements a student must fulfill to qualify for the in-state tuition rate as a resident of the State or City of New York. As is set forth in the Manual, students may also qualify for the in-state tuition rate on other grounds, including having attended/graduated from a high school or having obtained a GED (since 2014, the Test Assessing Secondary Completion or “TASC” exam) in the State of New York.
Residency Requirements for Community Colleges:
If the Student:
Is a US Citizen; or a Permanent Resident; or has a Qualifying Immigration Status
And
Has continuously resided in State of NY for 12 months immediately preceding the first day of classes
And
Has continuously resided in New York City for the 6 months immediately preceding the first day of classes
Or
Has presented a valid certificate of residence to the CUNY community college from his/her home New York State county
And
Has a bona fide intent to reside in New York permanently
Then
The Student is eligible for in-state tuition.
What about citizenship status?
If you're a citizen or permanent resident of the United States, you'll need to show the college your passport, birth certificate or permanent residence card during the admissions process. You could be eligible for NYC tuition rates even if you're not a citizen of the United States. See below for more information. Queensborough truly offers residents of all kinds amazing access to affordable, life-changing education!
For non-citizens
Permanent residents
You'll need your “green card” (permanent resident card) when applying.
Non-immigrants,
If you have an unexpired visa of the following type you may be eligible: A, E, G, H-1, H-4 (families of H-1 only), I, K, L, N, R, S, T, V, U.
Other categories
If you identify as one of the below, please speak with the Registrar to make sure you're eligible for NYC tuition.
-
Students granted asylum, refugees or those on parole
-
Students with Adjustment of Status form (I-485) pending with INS
-
Cuban/Haitian entrant (I-94 Card), or Temporary Protected Status or NACARA or CUBAN
A special note for undocumented students
A new law provides NYC tuition eligibility for certain undocumented students. You qualify for the NYC tuition if you meet any of the following eligibility criteria. (Speak with the registrar regarding eligibility and documents for the CUNY resident tuition)
-
You were enrolled in CUNY for the Fall 2001 semester, and you qualified for in-state tuition at that time, or
-
You attended a New York State high school for two or more years, graduated, and applied to attend a CUNY institution within five years of receiving your New York State diploma, or
-
You attended an approved New York State program for the Graduate Equivalency Diploma (GED) exam preparation, received a GED from New York State, and applied to attend a CUNY institution within five years of receiving your New York State GED.
