A legal “Resident” of the state for tuition and fee purposes is defined as an independent person who has abandoned all prior domiciles (a true, fixed, principal residence and place of habitation) and has been domiciled in South Carolina continuously for at least twelve months immediately preceding the first day of class of the term for which resident classification is sought and for whom there is an absence of domiciliary evidence in other states or countries, notwithstanding other provisions of the Statute.

• In-County – For tuition purposes, in-state tuition rates apply (i.e. residing within York and Chester County)
  
  
• Out-of-County – For tuition purposes, out-of-county tuition rates apply (i.e. all counties located outside of York and Chester County)
  
  
• Out-of-State – For tuition purposes, out-of-state tuition rates apply. (i.e. persons not residing in South Carolina continuously for at least 12 months immediately preceding the first day of class of the term for which resident classification is sought)
  
  
• International students – (F1, M, and J visa types) are not eligible for in-county, or in-state fees.
  
  
• Non-Citizens and Non-Permanent Residents Exceptions – see list of approved visa classification:
  
  View the Approved Visa Classifications

Residency classification is determined based on the dependency status of the student preceding the term of enrollment. A student is defined as either an independent or dependent student based on the following definition:

• Independent person:
  • Defined as one who provided more than half of his or her own support preceding 12 months prior to the term of enrollment or re-enrollment and is not claimed as a dependent or exemption on another person’s federal and/or state income tax return during the preceding 12 month period.  The determination of residency status will be based on the legal domicile of the student.
    
    
• Dependent person:
  • Defined as one whose predominate source of income or support is from parents, spouse, or guardian who claims the dependent person on his or her current state and/or federal income tax return during the year of prior enrollment. A dependent person’s residency is presumed to be that of the person upon whom they are dependent. The determination of residency status will be based on the legal domicile of the claimant.

• Students must submit an Admission’s Application to initiate the residency review process. Application submission does not guarantee residency classification approval for South Carolina tuition and fees.
  
  
• All students are considered out-of-state for the purposes of South Carolina tuition and fees until a final residency review has been completed.
  
  
• Students must be accepted to York Technical College to receive login information that will allow access to the Residency Certification Application within their student portal.
  
  
• Until a residency decision has been rendered, students should expect to make payment arrangements on account balances to avoid class cancellation. 
  
  
• Students should check their yorktech.edu email address for residency updates and notifications.
  
  
• Submission of the residency certification application is applied to the current term of enrollment and cannot be used retroactively (towards a prior term).

All applicants, including dual enrollment and re-admit applicants, have until 1 week prior to their start term of enrollment to verify their resident status for tuition and fee purposes. Applicants selected for review after this established deadline will incur a delay in processing and will be required to pay at the out-of-state rate until a review has been finalized. Students in this category may benefit from moving their start term of enrollment to the next start term to allow for completion of the residency review process.

Registered students with an undetermined South Carolina resident status at the start of classes will be required to make payment arrangements at an out-of-state rate to avoid class cancellation. Therefore, applicants are encouraged to submit residency documentation in advance before classes start and payment deadlines for registered classes.

A review of your residency application takes up to 2 weeks to complete after all requested documentation has been received. Upon reviewing your application, York Technical College has final authority on residency decisions following state legislation, regulations and guidance. Submission of all residency documentation does not guarantee that your application will be approved. Final residency decisions are based upon a universal review and can vary amongst institutions.