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 state public benefit (in-state tuition and fees) is either a “United States citizen” or “lawfully present” in the United States.

If you are a U.S. citizen or possess either a TN driver's license or REAL ID from any state, 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.

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).

If you are lawfully present in the United States, but unable to present forms of documentation establishing lawful presence in the United States please contact the Admissions Office.

Students who have had their lawful presence verified through the federal Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) are not required to submit additional documentation (e.g., J-1 and F-1 student visa holders).