Citizenship or Lawful Presence

Effective October 1, 2012, the Tennessee Eligibility Verification for Entitlements Act (EVEA) requires public colleges and universities to verify that any student seeking a state public benefit, such as in-state tuition and fees, must provide proof of U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status.

United States Citizen

If you are a U.S. citizen, you may verify your status by presenting one (1) of the items listed below. If the document you choose to use does not include a picture ID, it must be accompanied with some form of valid, government-issued, picture ID.

  1. A valid, non-temporary, TN driver's license card (including a learner’s permit or restricted driver's license), or photo identification card,
  2. A valid, non-temporary, driver's license, or photo identification card (including a learner’s permit or restricted driver's license) issued by any U.S. state, if marked as a REAL ID;
  3. A valid, unexpired U.S. passport;
  4. An official birth certificate issued by a U.S. State, jurisdiction, or territory (except for Puerto Rican birth certificates issued before July 1, 2010).
  5. A US certificate of birth abroad (DS-1350 or FS-545);
  6. A report of birth abroad of a citizen of the U.S. (FS-240);
  7. A certificate of citizenship (N560 or N561);
  8. A certificate of naturalization (N550, N570 or N578);
  9. A U.S. citizen identification card (1-197, 1-179);
  10. A social security number that can be verified with the Social Security Administration.
  11. For incarcerated individuals, a memo from the TN Department of Corrections (TDOC) confirming verification of U.S. citizenship/lawful presence consistent with T.C.A. 4-58-101 et seq.

Lawful Presence

To establish status as a qualified alien who is lawfully present in the U.S. (If not a U.S. citizen or do not possess a TN or Real ID driver's license) you may present two (2) of the following items listed below. If the document you choose to use does not include a picture ID, it must be accompanied with some form of valid, government-issued, picture ID.

  1. A valid, unexpired Permanent Resident Card;
  2. Valid, unexpired Foreign Passport with Visa Stamped "Processed for I-551" (Permanent U.S. Residence);
  3. Permanent Resident Re-entry Permit (I-327);
  4. Valid, unexpired Employment Authorization Card (EAD);
  5. Visa permitting study at an institution of higher education in the U.S.
  6. Arrival/Departure Record for visa classification permitting study at an institution of higher education in the U.S.;
  7. Notice of Approval of Status for visa classification permitting study at an institution of higher education in the U.S., with bottom I-94 portion attached (Form I-797)5;
  8. Refugee travel document (I-571);
  9. Asylum (I-94 stating asylum granted for a period of 1 year to indefinitely)
  10. Valid unexpired Foreign Passport with a valid Visa in a category that permits study at an institution of higher education;
  11. Any other document determined by the US Department of Homeland Security to be acceptable through the SAVE program to establish status as a qualified alien with lawful presence in the U.S. pursuant to 8 U.S.C. §1641(b).

Important note regarding International Students or non-U.S. Citizens:

  • Non US citizens who have current status of lawful permanent resident, Asylee, and certain non-immigrants who hold visas from particular categories (A1, A2, A3, E1, E2, G1, G2, G3, G4, G5, H1b, H4 (only if a dependent of an H1B visa), I, K1, K2, K3, K4, L1, L1a, L1b, L2, NATO1, NATO2, NATO3, NATO4, NATO5, NATO6, NATO7, O1, O3 (only dependents of an O1 visa), P1, P2, P3, P4, R1, R2, T1, or V visa) who can provide proof that they have initiated the process to become either a permanent resident or naturalized, may be eligible to be classified in-state if they meet all other requirements for in-state classification as a dependent or independent person and meet Eligibility Verification for Entitlements (EVEA) regulations set forth by the State. Students, non-citizen parents of dependent students, spouses or legal guardians are expected to provide a copy of their unexpired Permanent Resident card, proof of current Asylee status, visa from category listed above along with proof that they have initiated the process to become a either a permanent resident or naturalized along with other documentation to determine residency classification.
  • International students holding a temporary or non-immigrant visa not listed above are not eligible for in-state classification.
  • Students holding an F or J visa are not eligible for in-state classification even if parents, spouse or legal guardians are US citizens, legal permanent residents or hold a visa category listed above. Holding an F or J visa indicates the student is primarily in the country for educational purposes and cannot establish domicile in the United States or in Tennessee for reasons other than educational pursuits.
  • Students who have applied for or obtained Deferred Action are ineligible for in-state tuition rates based on domicile, regardless of whether parents/legal guardian are living in Tennessee. Unfortunately, the deferral does not confer lawful immigration status to the student.