Residency Status

Residency (domicile) requirements have been established for the purpose of assessing tuition and related fees. The requirements are set forth as follows:

"Domicile" will mean a person's true, fixed and permanent home, to which a person intends to return. A residence established for the purpose of attending an educational institution or qualifying for resident status for tuition purposes will not of itself constitute domicile.

Students moving to Pennsylvania from outside the state must reside in Pennsylvania for one year before becoming eligible for in-state tuition and reside in the county by the first day of the term. Students must substantiate changes in status by appropriate documentation.

Exceptions may be made for students moving to Allegheny County if they can demonstrate an intent to remain in Allegheny County for purposes other than attending school. These exceptions may include a move for full-time employment and will require a written statement from the student's employer (or the parent's employer if the student is a dependent). All documentation for proof of residency must be received BEFORE the end of the add/drop period for the semester in which the student is registered.

A student may also need to show financial independence as part of establishing residency.

Students will be expected to provide documentation of permanent residence before they register for classes.

See the full regulation under Appendices in the CCAC Catalog: Appendix F.

Procedure for Residency Appeal

Applicants or students who wish to appeal residency status are required to complete the Residency Appeal Form and provide the documentation detailed on the form. The Regional Director of Registration will review all appeals and may request multiple forms of documentation to prove residency status. The following documentation may be used to provide evidence toward meeting the residency policy requirements:

  • Current apartment lease or mortgage from the permanent independent residence.
  • Copy of a city/state tax bill. Special attention shall be given to payment of Commonwealth taxes on income earned during periods of temporary absence from this Commonwealth.
  • Copies of bank statements, automobile registration, or other registered Allegheny County property.
  • Current Pennsylvania driver's license or state ID.
  • High school transcript showing an Allegheny County home address.
  • Pay stubs with Allegheny County home address showing payment of local wage taxes.

Important Note: Name and Allegheny County address must be present on all documents, and all documents must be dated at least three months prior to the first day of one's first semester at the college. All documentation for proof of residency must be submitted along with the Residency Appeal Form to the Director of Registration BEFORE the end of the drop/add period for the first class in which the student is registered.

Veterans and Their Dependents

The Community College of Allegheny County provides in-state, in-county tuition rates to all military members/veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces and their dependents.

Students who are out of state who wish to claim in-state, in-county status via military, veteran or dependent status must verify their affiliation with U.S. Armed Services with the Military and Veterans Services office on their campus.

Effective July 1, 2015, veterans and other students who qualify as covered individuals under the Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act of 2014, 38 U.S.C. 3679 (VACA), will be eligible to receive the in-state, in-county tuition rate and fees established by the CCAC Board of Trustees without regard to the student's state of legal residence. Veteran students will be required to provide a DD214 to prove veteran status. Dependents of veteran students will be required to provide the veteran sponsor's DD214 along with proof of dependent status, which may include a copy of a current marriage certificate, birth certificate, federal income tax return or other documentation as reasonably required by the college.

For more information, please contact CCAC Military and Veterans Services at 412.237.4604.