Residency Review

How to Submit a Residency Review

According to Penn State's Residency Policy, "A student requesting reclassification as a Pennsylvania resident for tuition purposes must demonstrate by clear and convincing evidence that the student's domicile is in Pennsylvania and that the student's presence in Pennsylvania is not primarily for educational purposes."

  • Undergraduate students requesting a review of their residency classification prior to the first day of the student’s first semester at the University need to contact Penn State Undergraduate Admissions.
  •  Undergraduate students requesting a review of their residency classification after the first day of the student's first semester at the University must submit the request through the following link: Residency Review   
  • Graduate students requesting a review of their residency classification must submit the request through the following link: Residency Review

Requests for review must be submitted by the student (requests from parents will not be considered). Residency reviews are required to be submitted through the following link: Residency Review

Students must have the Penn State GlobalProtect VPN in order to securely upload documents for the Residency Review. Information and instructions on how to download GlobalProtect.

Required Documentation

The following documentation must be submitted with all residency reviews. Submit the student's information if the student is over 23, married, or independent of the student's parents. Submit the parents' information if the student is under age 24, single, and a dependent of the student's parents.

  1. A formal letter written by the student requesting a review of residency status and explaining why the student should be considered a Pennsylvania resident for tuition purposes. The letter should explain the reason for the change in the student's residence (i.e. a parent changed jobs and relocated to Pennsylvania). The letter should be signed by the student and include the student ID number and permanent address.
  2. A complete copy of the registered deed or current, signed lease to the permanent domicile in Pennsylvania. A copy of the deed to the home may be obtained from the county court house. If the residence is leased/rented, the landlord should provide a lease. Depending on the term of the lease, more than one lease may have to be submitted to cover the last twelve (12) months.
  3. A copy of the Pennsylvania driver's license.
  4. Documentation of the student's United States citizenship status, i.e. copy of a birth certificate, passport, green card or official Immigration and Naturalization Service stamp (I-551), or certificate of citizenship or naturalization.
  5. A complete, signed copy of the most recent Pennsylvania Income Tax Return and Federal Income Tax Return.

Other Documents that may be submitted:

  1. A copy of the real estate listing or sales agreement to the previous domicile in the previous state of residence, if applicable.
  2. If the student is independent of his/her/their parents and under age 24, a notarized statement from his/her/their parents verifying they do not claim the student as a dependent on their income taxes.
  3. A formal letter from the employer on their letterhead verifying full-time employment, date of hire or transfer, and the withholding of Pennsylvania income tax, if the change in domicile is due to a job relocation or offer of employment.
  4. A copy of a recent pay stub, if prior year taxes were filed as a non-Pennsylvania resident.
  5. If you (or your parent, if a dependent) are presently in the military and stationed in Pennsylvania, submit your Active Duty Military Orders. If you (or your parent, if a dependent), are stationed outside of Pennsylvania, but have maintained Pennsylvania residency, submit your current Leave and Earnings Statement (LES). If you (or your parent, if a dependent) have been discharged from the military, submit your DD-214.

The information listed above, standing alone, does not constitute sufficient evidence to affect residency classification. Additional information may be required to determine residency status for tuition purposes.

Once the residency review documentation has been received, the student will receive an email confirmation sent to the student’s Penn State email address. If more information is needed, the student will be notified by email. If no additional information is needed, and all of the above information has been properly submitted to the Residency Officer, the student will receive a written decision regarding the request for Pennsylvania residency for tuition purposes within four to six weeks.

If the student does not submit all of the documentation listed above, the review will be denied or delayed until all of the information is submitted.

PLEASE NOTE: Effective summer 2015, all eligible veterans and dependents receiving Chapter 33, Chapter 35 or Fry Scholarship benefits will be eligible for in-state tuition regardless of residency. If you are a veteran and you are not using GI Bill® benefits, please contact your campus Certifying Official to determine requirements to establish eligibility for the in-state rate.

"GI Bill®” is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).  More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at www.benefits.va.gov/gibill

Complete Residency Policy

Before submitting your documentation, please review the following:

Please contact the Residency Officer by selecting Contact Us (attention Residency Officer) or calling 814-865-6528 if you require additional assistance.