Requesting PA Residency
A student’s residence, or domicile, is considered “the place where one resides permanently or indefinitely” and is currently living according to the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education’s Student Domicile Regulations (PASSHE) (PDF). Students are considered Pennsylvania residents according to the regulations when they have lived in the state continuously for 12 months prior to registration at the University.
Students under 22 years of age are considered to be domiciled with their parents, meaning their residency will match that of their parents.
Students who are not U.S. Citizens and are on a non-immigrant visa or no visa, are presumed to not be domiciled, or are not residents of Pennsylvania.
Students receiving scholarships, loans or grants specific to another state, are presumed to not be domiciled in Pennsylvania.
What if the student believes the residency classification is incorrect?
Students may provide clear and convincing evidence that they are in fact domiciled in Pennsylvania if they feel the determination of their residency is incorrect. This means they must prove they are currently residing in the state, have been residing in the state and plan to reside in the state regardless of being enrolled at the institution. For a list of documents that support such a claim, see the list of Required and Additional Forms below.
Each student situation is unique. The student should consider what documentation supports their residency and financial ties in the state. Obtaining a driver’s license, registering a car and signing a lease in the state does not necessarily make a student a Pennsylvania resident according to the policy. The student must prove they are currently residing in the state, have been residing in the state and plan to reside in the state regardless of being enrolled at the institution.
Review of residency changes can be a long process that requires a fair amount of documentation. Decisions can take up to a few weeks to be rendered. Please review the Student FAQs below to answer many questions related to the residency process.
The deadline to request a change in residency is the last day before the start of the current semester.
Required Forms
- Residency Classification Data Collection Form (PDF)
- Filled out completely including all sections related to financial history
- Must be signed
- Must be notarized
- Letter from student explaining domicile change since original classification decision
- If under 22 years of age, letter from student's parent(s) or legal guardian(s) explaining domicile change since original classification decision that also includes the facts that establish the student's financial independence and separate residence that is notarized.
Additional Forms
If the student has copies of the documentation listed below they are strongly encouraged to supply all possible information. If information is omitted, they may be asked to produce this documentation to aid in the review process. Any documentation that cannot be provided should be addressed in the student letter with an explanation as to why it was not included in the materials.
Please note: This list is not exhaustive. If you have additional documentation to help in your explanation that you are domiciled in the state, please include that with your Residency Classification Data Collection Form. Because each student situation is unique, the student might have documentation to support their claim and we may not be fully aware. Anything the student cannot include on the list below should be addressed in the student letter to accompany the Residency Classification Data Collection Form.
- Federal taxes – most recent copy, signed, dated
- Students age 21 years old and YOUNGER – Submit your parent(s) or legal guardian(s) tax returns
- Students age 22 and OLDER – Submit your own tax returns
- State taxes – most recent copy, signed, dated
- Students age 21 years old and YOUNGER – Submit your parent(s) or legal guardian(s) tax returns
- Students age 22 and OLDER – Submit your own tax returns
- Copy of current lease, mortgage, or proof of home ownership
- Copy of driver’s license
- Copy of auto insurance
- Copy of motor vehicle registration
- Proof of bank account or written explanation if bank account is out of state
- Copy of Voter Registration information
- Proof of permanent, full-time employment in the state
- Membership in any state-based civic or social organizations
- If the student is not a U.S. Citizen
- Provide ALL copies of information pertaining to immigration status
Student FAQs
"Domicile" is a legal term that is defined as the place where an individual intends to remain and live permanently or indefinitely. It is the place where a person intends to return to after any absence. A person may live in a place for temporary purposes, such as a vacation or attending college. Once the goal of the temporary purpose is accomplished, however, the person does not intend to remain in that place. Since the person's presence is only for temporary reasons, the individual cannot be considered an in-state resident for tuition purposes.
Initial determinations are made by Student Financial Affairs based on your admissions application. Student Financial Affairs reviews each change in domicile request carefully and the student’s situation is compared to the residency policies set forth by PASSHE (Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education) (PDF). Determinations can be appealed to the Dean of Student Affairs, whose decision is final on behalf of the University. The University's decision can be appealed to the Office of the Chancellor of the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
Each student situation is unique. The key is to document as much about your residency situation as possible so that you can show you are and have been a Pennsylvania resident. Documentation is power!
Yes, you must have your Residency Data Collection Form notarized as well as other documents that you may ask others to write on your behalf to prove your independence or residency in Pennsylvania. This is how we validate those documents are valid.
It takes a few weeks for a complete review. Please allow up to 30 days for your documentation to be reviewed thoroughly.
After your documentation has been reviewed, Student Financial Affairs sends you a letter via email informing you of the decision. We utilize the address that you include on your Residency Classification Data Collection Form.
Yes, if we feel something is missing from your documentation we will reach out. Please note, this can delay the review of your documents. It’s in your best interest to submit everything at once – your notarized Residency Classification Data Collection Form and all supporting documents to show your domicile is in Pennsylvania.
All documents can be emailed to financialaid@salus.edu or mailed to:
Salus at Drexel University
Student Financial Aid
8360 Old York Road
Elkins Park, PA 19027
Yes, the deadline to request a change in residency is the last day before the start of the current semester.
Students should not delay their tuition bills because residency under review. Instead, you should work out payment plan with Bursar while waiting a decision. If your residency request is granted, Bursar is notified and adjusts your tuition accordingly.