Residency Requirements for Admission
Residents of South Carolina as defined by state law are independent persons who have been domiciled in South Carolina for a period of no less than 12 months who have full-time employment in the state and the dependents of such person. Payment of South Carolina property taxes or living with relatives other than parents except under court decree is not a factor in determining legal state residence. If there is any question, contact the Director of Admissions for new students, Registrar, or the Finanical Aid Office if you have met one or more of the requiements above.
Email: admissions@fdtc.edu, registrar@fdtc.edu.
The South Carolina Illegal Immigration Reform Act requires that all students currently attending FDTC provide proof of residency in order to remain in school.
SC Illegal Immigration Reform Act
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SC Illegal Immigration Reform Act
The SC Illegal Immigration Reform Act was signed by the governor in June, 2008. This Act states that an alien unlawfully present in the U.S. is not eligible to attend a public institution of higher education in South Carolina and that an alien unlawfully present in the U.S. is not eligible for a public higher education benefit. A new form entitled, "The Declaration of Citizenship or Legal Presence in the United States" must now be signed by all students when they register for an Undergraduate (UG) course and a valid SC Driver's License, ID card issued from the Department of Motor Vehicles or Birth Certificate may be required. Please see the Office of Admissions or the Office of the Registrar to confirm residency.
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Students claiming to be United States citizens can verify their citizenship status by completing providing one of the following documents below to the Office of the Registrar.
- Valid driver's license or state-issued ID card
Completed FAFSA application
Residency - Financial Info
For tuition and fee purposes, a resident student is one who has abandoned all prior residences and has been residing in South Carolina for at least 12 months immediately preceding the first day of classes of the term for which resident status is sought. Students who have not resided in South Carolina or in either Florence or Darlington counties for at least 12 months prior to enrolling in classes will be required to pay out-of-state or out-of country tuition. Tax documents and Drivers License will be used to determine residency.
Persons in the following categories may qualify to pay in-state fees without having to establish a permanent home in the state for 12 months. Persons who qualify under any of these categories must meet the conditions of the specific category on or before the first day of classes of the term for which payment of in-state fees is requested.
Military Personnel and their Dependents
Members of the United States Armed Forces (and their dependents) who are stationed in South Carolina on active duty may be considered eligible to pay in-state fees. Armed forces shall mean federal military personnel in the United States Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, Navy and Coast Guard. When such personnel are ordered away from the state, their dependents may continue to pay in-state fees for additional 12 months. Such persons (and their dependents) may also be eligible to pay in-state fees for a period of 12 months after their discharge from the military, provided they have demonstrated an intent to establish a permanent home in South Carolina and they have resided in South Carolina for a period of at least 12 months immediately preceding their discharge. The military personnel who are not stationed in South Carolina and/or former military personnel who intend to establish South Carolina residency must fulfill the 12-month physical presence requirement for them or their dependents to qualify to pay in-state fees. To establish South Carolina resident status, such persons must establish residence in accordance with the regulations.
Faculty and Administrative Employees and their Dependent Children and Spouses
Full-time faculty and administrative employees of South Carolina state-supported colleges and universities are eligible to pay in-state fees. Dependents of such persons are also eligible.
Residents with Full-Time Employment and their Dependents
Persons who reside, are domiciled, and are employed full-time in the State and will continue to work full-time until they meet the 12-month requirement are eligible to pay in-state fees, provided that they have taken the steps to establish a permanent home in the state. The dependents of such persons are also eligible.
Retired Persons
Retired persons and their dependents who are receiving a pension or annuity who reside in South Carolina and have been domiciled in South Carolina as prescribed in the Statute for less than a year may be eligible for in-state rates if they maintain residence and domicile in this state.
Persons on terminal leave and their dependents who have established residency in South Carolina may be eligible for in-state rates even if domiciled in the state for less than one year, if they present documentary evidence from their employer showing they are on terminal leave. The evidence should show beginning and ending dates for the terminal leave period and that the person will receive a pension or annuity when he or she retires.
The initial determination of residency status is made at the time of admission. The determination made at that time, and any determination made thereafter, prevails for each subsequent term until the determination is successfully challenged. The burden of proof resides with the student to show evidence as deemed necessary to establish residency status. Inquiries regarding residency requirements and determinations should be directed to the director of enrollment management. International students are not considered residents of the state until they gain permanent resident status from Immigration and Naturalization Service.
General