Introduction
This policy has been developed to comply with Tennessee Board of Regents policy 3:05:01:00.
General Policy
The College will follow Tennessee Board of Regents policy 3:05:01:00 as a basis for residency classification decisions.
Initial Classification
Information on residency classification will be published in the College Catalog.
Initial residency classification will be determined based on information submitted by the applicant on the Application for Admission.
Applicants classified as out-of-state will receive notification from the Office of Admissions. An Application for In-State Classification will be included unless the applicant’s file reflects clear ineligibility—such as visa classifications that do not permit in-state residency.
Requests to Change Initial Classification
Applications for In-State Classification should be submitted to the Office of Admissions.
All questions must be answered on the Application for In-State Classification for it to be considered complete. Applications submitted without supporting documentation will not be considered for a final decision until supporting documentation is provided. The Office of Admissions may request various supporting documents throughout the reclassification process.
Applications for In-State Classification should be submitted and all supporting documentation received fourteen (14) days prior to the first day of class for the semester to which the applicant is seeking admission. It is the student's responsibility to provide all requested documentation by the deadline.
Applications for In-State Classification will be considered in the order in which they are received.
Applications for In-State Classification received after the deadline will be accepted but will not be given priority status.
Applicants who apply for admission after the deadline may submit an Application for In-State Classification prior to the end of the Drop/Add period.
Any in-process residency classification applications which are incomplete as of the census date for that term will not be used to classify an applicant as in-state for that term unless the student requesting reclassification is only enrolling in classes for a late starting part-of-term.
To be considered for in-state fees, applicants applying only for a late starting part-of-term must submit their residency reclassification application prior to the first day of classes for the earliest start date of the late starting part-of-term in which they are enrolled.
Applicants will be notified of the result of their Application for In-State Classification.
Appeals to Decisions Rendered from Requests to Change Initial Classification
Appeals to the residency classification decision must be submitted to the Senior Director of Admissions within ten (10) days of the classification notification. Applicants will be notified of the result of their appeal.
Applicants wishing to appeal the decision of the Senior Director of Admissions must submit an appeal to the Vice President of Student Services within ten (10) days of the classification notification. Applicants will be notified of the result of their appeal.
Applicants wishing to appeal the decision of the Vice President of Student Services must submit an appeal to the College President within ten (10) days of the classification notification. Applicants will be notified of the result of their appeal.
Appeals are subject to the same rules and deadlines as the initial Application for In-State Classification.
Residency Reclassification
Requests for reclassification by an enrolled student will follow Tennessee Board of Regents policy 3:05:01:00.
Effective Date for Changes in Classification
If a student classified out-of-state applies for in-state classification and is subsequently so classified, his or her in-state classification shall be effective as of the date on which reclassification was sought. However, out-of-state tuition will be charged for any semester during which a change in classification is sought and obtained unless application for reclassification is made on or before the last day of registration for the earliest start date of classes for the term/session in which the student is enrolled.
Source: TBR Meetings, December 13, 1974; February 21, 1975, March 21, 1986, September 16, 1988; June 29, 1990; June 24, 1994; March 30, 2001; December 7, 2001; December 5, 2003; June 30, 2006. June 20, 2014; Revised at TBR Board Meeting September 16, 2015. Ministerial change, January 11, 2018, by revision of T.C.A. § 49-7-1304 and Repeal of T.C.A. § 49-7-1305; Revisions approved at Board Meeting September 23, 2022; Ministerial changes May 2, 2024; Ministerial changes and updated exhibits May 30, 2024; Revisions approved at Board Meeting December 10, 2024.
VSCC Source: Former II:09:16, July 23, 1997, President; Former III:01:08, November 30, 2007, President; November 18, 2008, President; August 6, 2025, President’s Cabinet
