Residency Requirements

Policy Type: 
Students

SUBJECT TO BOARD OF TRUSTEE APPROVAL IN 2024

EFFECTIVE AS OF JULY 1, 2024

I. Policy Title: Residency Requirements

II. Who Does This Policy Affect

This policy applies to any student enrolled at Henry Ford College

III. Purpose

Defines the parameters for residency status as it relates to tuition charges.

IV. Policy Statement

For tuition purposes, the following definitions of residency shall apply.

V. Definitions

A. In-District Resident

A student who has a permanent address in the Dearborn School District for at least three months immediately preceding the first day of classes. The three-month residency status will be effective beginning in the Spring 2018 semester.

B. Out-of-District Resident (also known as In-State)

A student who resides within the State of Michigan and outside of the Dearborn School District.

In addition, an individual using Military educational assistance under Chapter 30 (Montgomery GI Bill-Active Duty Program), Chapter 31 (Vocational Rehabilitation), Chapter 33 (Post-9/11 GI Bill), recipients of Chapter 35 (Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program) Chapter 1606 of Title 10 U.S.C. (Montgomery GI Bill – Selected Reserve) and/or recipients of the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship, who resides outside of the Dearborn School District will be charged as an Out-of-District resident regardless of his/her formal state of residence. Effective July 1, 2024, Students who are citizens of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, or the Republic of Palao shall be charged this out-of-district resident’s rate.

C. Out-of-State/International Resident

Any student whose legal residence is outside of the State of Michigan.

Residency Classification and Regulations for Tuition Purposes

Classification of Residency

Students who are U.S. citizens or who have permanent resident alien, asylum, refugee, valid DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) status through the Immigration and Naturalization Service or approved Temporary Protected Status, as defined below, will be classified as In-District, Out-of-District, or Out-of-State/International. For tuition purposes, a resident student is one who has resided continuously in the Dearborn Public School District for at least three months immediately preceding the first day of classes, (the three-month residency status will be effective beginning in the Spring 2018 semester) with the following exceptions:

  1. The legal residence of an unmarried minor is that of the parent or legal guardian regardless of where the student may be living.
  2. An out-of-state/international student is one who does not meet the definition of residency.

Temporary Protected Status (TPS) students are defined as those individuals who would otherwise be classified as “International”, who are enrolled in a degree or certificate program, and who have submitted official U. S. Department of Homeland Security documentation to the HFC International Student Services Office confirming that they have been granted “Temporary Protected Status” by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. as long as their TPS designation remains in effect.

The College will not retroactively grant residency nor will tuition adjustments be permitted for previously attended semesters.

Residency must be validated each term.

Students may be asked for two items of documentation to prove residency before completing each enrollment and may be asked for further documentation at any time while in attendance. Students are required to see an enrollment associate at the Welcome Center to drop off residency documentation.

Acceptable items of documentation are the following:

• Valid MI driver’s license or MI ID card

And one of the following documents:

• Current Automobile Registration (with street address)
• Current Auto Insurance Certification (with street address)
• Current Voter’s Registration (front and back)
• Previous Year's Paid Tax Receipt (with name and address)

If a student has been mistakenly enrolled as a resident, the student will be required to pay all tuition that should have been computed according to non-resident status. Any student fraudulently enrolling as a resident is also subject to any of the following:

• A late payment penalty
• Suspension from classes
• Permanent dismissal

VI. Responsible Party for Administration and Enforcement

Office of Registration & Records

VII. Related Documents

BILLS-118hr4366enr.pdf (congress.gov)
In-State Tuition and Title IV Eligibility for Citizens of the Freely Associated States | Knowledge Center

VIII. Policy History:
a. Current Policy Approved by Board: November 20, 2017;
b. Previous Policy Section: Students; Previous Policy No. 8050

Review/Updates

____________, 2024 – updated out-of-district rate language to include the federated states
December 19, 2019 – added TPS language
February 2019 due to changes to Michigan Public Law 115-251
Feb. 19, 2018 to change In-District Residency to 3 months;

This policy supersedes and replaces any and all policies related to this subject

Adopted Date: 
Monday, November 20, 2017
Status: 
Board Approved