Residency and Lawful Presence

Residency and Citizenship or Lawful Status and Compliance at MCCCD

For students new to the Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD), establishing residency and citizenship or lawful status is vital because students are charged a different tuition rate depending on what classification they fall under. A student new to the Maricopa Community Colleges who enrolls via my.maricopa.edu is considered out-of-state until proof of residency and citizenship or lawful status is established with the Admissions and Records Office/Office of Student Enrollment Services at the college he/she is planning to attend.

For the Maricopa Community Colleges, tuition is based on three residency classifications. The following categories were determined in accordance with state law (ARS §§15-1801, 15-1802, 15-1802.01, 15-1803) and regulations of the Maricopa Community Colleges Governing Board (AR 2.2):

  1. Maricopa County Resident—an individual who has lived in Maricopa County for 50 days AND lived in the State of Arizona for at least one year prior to class start who is a U.S. Citizen or in a lawful status.
  2. Out-of-County Resident—an individual who does not live in Maricopa County or has not lived in Maricopa County for 50 days prior to the start of the semester, BUT has lived in any county in Arizona, except Apache or Greenlee, AND in the State of Arizona for at least one year prior to class start who is a U.S. Citizen or in a lawful status. According to ARS §15-1469, if the County Superintendent of Schools certifies that you are a resident of a county in Arizona which is not a part of an established community college district, Apache or Greenlee counties will pay the tuition for you to attend one of the state community colleges. The student must complete and submit the Arizona Out-of-County Residence Affidavit form.
  3. Out-of-State Resident (including F-1 non-immigrant students)—any individual who has not lived in the State of Arizona for at least one year prior to class start or who is not eligible to establish residency.

For academic year 2015-2016 tuition is $325 per credit hour. The in-state tuition rate is $84 per credit hour. [Tuition and fees are subject to change—for the most current rates, refer to Appendix S-4.]

It is up to the student to establish his/her residency and citizenship or lawful status prior to registration and register under the correct status. Proof of residency and citizenship or lawful status must be provided to each college of attendance. Documentation must be provided prior to the end of the term in which residency classification is being requested. Documentation received after the end of the term will be used for residency determination in subsequent terms.

Lawful Presence (See generally Arizona Revised Statutes §§1-501 and 1-502)

Under this law passed in 2009, MCCCD, in administering any "federal public benefit" or "state or local public benefit," must require each natural person who applies for the benefit to submit one of 12 specific types of documents to demonstrate lawful presence in the United States (see Acceptable Documents to Establish Lawful Presence). That person must also sign a sworn affidavit stating that the documents are true. Failure of an MCCCD employee who administers that MCCCD benefit to report "discovered violations of federal immigration law" is a class 2 misdemeanor. The employee's supervisor is also guilty of a class 2 misdemeanor if he or she knew of the failure to report, and failed to direct the employee to do so.

Only those with a lawful presence in the U.S. may qualify for MCCCD scholarships or federal financial aid. Any information you provide about your legal status when you apply for financial aid or scholarships may be subject to mandatory reporting to federal immigration authorities under Arizona law. This does not apply to applications for the private scholarship funds held in and distributed by the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation.

Page Updated 9/2/15