Policy Regarding Residence for Tuition Purposes

Introduction

Among the obligations of Northern Michigan University to the State of Michigan and its taxpayers is the provision of educational opportunity to residents of the state and their spouses and children at lower tuition rates than those charged to nonresidents.

Status as a resident for tuition purposes is dependent on domicile in the State of Michigan. Resident students are defined as students domiciled in the State of Michigan. Nonresident students are defined as those whose domicile is elsewhere. Thus, for a nonresident student to be classified as a resident for tuition purposes, the student must demonstrate that his or her previous domicile has been abandoned and a Michigan domicile established, and show intent, on the part of the student or his or her parent or spouse, to make Michigan his or her permanent home, not only while the student is attending the university, but thereafter as well.

Resident Status

Each student is responsible for correctly reporting the state of her or his domicile at application for admission. The graduate office shall administer the regulations prior to a student’s first enrollment. Thereafter, the regulations shall be administered by the Registrar. If there are any possible questions as to a student's domicile, the student is required to advise the Registrar of possible changes in residence and to furnish all requested information pertinent thereto.

No students shall be eligible for reclassification as residents unless they shall be domiciled in the State of Michigan and have resided in Michigan continuously for not less than six months immediately preceding the first day of classes of the semester for which reclassification is sought.

For purposes of these regulations, the age of majority is 18 years. A minor does not have the capacity to establish his or her own domicile. Normally, the domicile of a minor follows that of the parents or legal guardian.

Each individual case must be determined on its own particular facts. The following facts and circumstances, although not necessarily conclusive evidence of domicile, have probative value thereon in support of a claim for residence classification:

1. graduation from a Michigan high school,
2. length of continuous presence in Michigan during periods when not enrolled as a student,
3. reliance on Michigan sources of income,
4. selective service registration,
5. ownership of a home in Michigan,
6. acceptance of an offer of permanent employment in the state,
7. former domicile in the state and maintenance of significant connections therein while absent,
8. domicile in Michigan of family, guardian or other relatives or persons legally responsible for the student,
9. commitments to further education in Michigan indicating an intent to stay here permanently,
10. other factors indicating an intent to make Michigan the student’s domicile will be considered in classifying a student.

A person who is not a citizen of the United States and his or her spouse and children shall be eligible for classification as Michigan residents for tuition purposes if such person has been lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States, has received a permanent visa, and fulfills the other requirements for Michigan residency specified in this policy.

The following facts and circumstances, standing alone, shall not constitute sufficient evidence of domicile to effect classification of a student as a resident under these regulations:

1. voting or voting registration,
2. automobile registration and/or driver's license,
3. a statement of intention to acquire a domicile in Michigan,
4. employment in any position normally filled by a student,
5. the lease of living quarters,
6. other public records (e.g., birth record).

Resident Status without the Domicile Requirement

Residence in the state while enrolled in the university is not an indication of domicile in Michigan. However, resident status may be gained, without the six month domicile requirement, in accordance with the following rules:

1. The domicile of a married student follows that of his or her spouse, if such spouse has established a domicile in Michigan,
2. Persons in the active military service of the United States and their spouses or dependents,
3. Persons participating in United States Olympic Committee approved programs,
4. A person who has participated in the USOEC in programs under the auspices of the USOC, who has departed from the program in good standing, and who has obtained State of Michigan ­ residency, may be classified a resident,
5. Dependents of Northern Michigan University graduates who have received an associate, baccalaureate or graduate degree, and
6. University employees, including graduate assistants, and their dependents. Student employees are excluded from this section.

Resident-Equivalent Rates

Tuition rates equivalent to resident rates for the same programs are available to students in the following categories:

1. Holders of associate degrees from Northern Michigan University who have not been enrolled at Northern Michigan University for 12 or more months, and
2. Holders of baccalaureate degrees from Northern Michigan University.

Requesting Changes in Residency Status

The responsibility for requesting a change in residency classification rests with the student. Application forms for reclassification shall be filed not later than 10 calendar days following the first day of classes of the semester for which such reclassification is sought. Such application shall be filed with the graduate office and shall set forth in writing a complete statement of the facts upon which the application is based, together with affidavits or other supporting documentary evidence. Failure to timely file such an application shall constitute a waiver of all claims to reclassification or rebates for such semester.

Any student may appeal the decision of the Assistant Provost of Graduate Education and Research or the Registrar made pursuant to the above by filing with the Registrar’s Office a written notice of appeal within 10 calendar days after notice of such decision was given in person or by mail. The Assistant Provost will act on the appeal. Failure to timely comply shall constitute a waiver of all claims to reclassification or rebates for the applicable semester or ­ semesters.

Any student may appeal the decision of the Assistant Provost made pursuant to the above by filing a written appeal with the Residency Determination Appeals Committee within 10 calendar days after notice of such decision was given in person or by mail. Failure to timely comply with this paragraph shall constitute a waiver of all claims to reclassification or rebates for the applicable semester or semesters.

Reclassification shall be effective for the semester in which the application was timely filed in accordance with this section and for each semester thereafter so long as the circumstances upon which the reclassification was based shall remain unchanged. Appropriate refunds shall be made within a reasonable time following such reclassification.

The initial application for change and first appeal will be in the form of written documentation only.

In the second reclassification appeal step, the student shall attend a personal conference before the appeals committee after which a decision shall be made by the committee, based on the evidence.

Discretion to adjust individual cases within the spirit of this ­ policy is vested in the Registrar.

Inquiries and appeals should be addressed to (whichever is appropriate):

• Assistant Provost of Graduate Education and Research
• Registrar
• Residency Determination Appeals Committee (c/o Registrar)

Non-residency Status Appeals Process

An appeals committee exists to hear appeals from students who request exceptions to university policy in the following areas: refunds past stated deadlines and non-residency status. If a student feels that individual circumstances warrant exception to a policy, a written appeal may be sent to the appeals committee. Students wishing to submit appeals should contact the Dean of Students Office. The committee will consider the timeliness of the appeal in making its decision; appeals will not be considered for past semesters. The student will be notified in writing of the committee’s decision.