AN EXPLANATION ON LEGAL RESIDENCY FOR TUITION REQUIREMENTS AT BUCKS
COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
All applicants for admission and enrolled students are legally bound to certify the County and State of
their legal residency and are obligated to the college for the established tuition and fees.
Ownership of property or a business in Bucks County while not actually residing in Bucks County does
not qualify a person to attend the college as a Bucks County resident.
A student in attendance under Foreign Student classification requiring an I-20 Form for student visa
purposes cannot be classified as a legal resident of Pennsylvania.
The following statements are taken from the State Code on Commonwealth residency:
(Paragraph 35.29b)
a) Domicile is the place where one intends to and does, in fact, permanently reside. In order to
establish Commonwealth residency, the following presumptions shall be considered along with
documentary evidence or statements from disinterested persons, or both:
1) Continuous residence in this Commonwealth for a period of 12 months prior to
registration as a student. A student may rebut this presumption by convincing evidence.
2) A non-citizen shall have taken formal action toward becoming a citizen or shall have
been admitted to the United States on an Immigrant Visa.
3) A minor, under the age of 18, shall be presumed to have the domicile of parents or
guardian. A minor may prove emancipation and independent domicile through
convincing evidence.
4) A United States government employee or a member of the armed forces who was
domiciled in this Commonwealth immediately preceding entry into government service,
and who continuously maintained legal residence in this Commonwealth, shall be
presumed to have domicile. Others in government service may, by convincing evidence,
establish domicile.
b) Domicile may not be established for a student receiving a scholarship or grant dependent upon
domicile from another state.
c) Examples of factors which may provide convincing evidence include the following:
1) Lease or purchase of a permanent independent residence.
2) Payment of appropriate State and local taxes. Special attention shall be given to payment
of Commonwealth taxes on income earned during periods of temporary absence from this
Commonwealth.
3) Transfer of bank accounts, stock, automobile and other registered property to this
Commonwealth.
4) Pennsylvania driver’s license.
5) Agreement for permanent full-time employment in this Commonwealth.
6) Membership in Commonwealth social, civic, political, athletic and religious
organizations.
7) Registration to vote in this Commonwealth.
8) Statement of intention to reside indefinitely in this Commonwealth.
9) Statement from the parents or guardian of a minor setting forth facts to establish the
financial independence and separate residence of the minor.
If a student believes he has been erroneously classified as a non-resident, or if the above criteria have
been met after a period of attendance, a request for reclassification of the resident status may be made
with the registrar of the College. Acceptable evidence must be presented for consideration.
