Residency Policy

Increasingly, parents and students realize that the community college is a sound educational investment. Because New York State and Rockland County pay part of the College’s operating costs, Rockland Community College’s tuition is far less than tuition at private colleges. Attending Rockland Community College for your first two years significantly reduces the cost of a bachelor’s degree. If you’re anxious to enter the job market, Rockland Community College can prepare you for a good job in just two years. If you have questions about cost to attend Rockland Community College, view Tuition/Fees.

Residency

(New Students, Returning students - not registered for previous two semesters and Non-Rockland County NYS resident) 

Semester = Fall or Spring         Sessions = Summer or Winter

 To be eligible for the resident tuition rate students must meet one of the following requirements:

1. Provide documentation of one year's legal residency in New York State and six months in Rockland County prior to the start date of the semester. Documentation must clearly demonstrate New York State residency for the year prior to the start of the semester and Rockland County residency for six months prior to the start of the semester.
2. Provide a Certificate of Residency from another county in New York State.
   The Certificate of Residency is a form issued to the student by the county in which they reside verifying their place of residence. To qualify for a Certificate of Residency, students must have lived in NY State for the past 12 months. Residency is verified by the county in which they have lived for the six months prior to attending college. If they have lived in more than one NY State county during those six months, verification from each county will be required.

Note: A person does not acquire a New York State Domicile (Legal Residence) simply by being physically present in New York State for a period of 12 months or for the sole purpose of attending a New York State College or University. If your principal or permanent home has not been in New York State for a 12-month period immediately prior to the date you intend to enroll, you will be considered an out-of-state student for tuition purposes.

Permanent resident cards must be dated one year prior to the start date of term the student wishes to register for in order to be considered eligible for resident tuition.  The student must also meet the NY State and County requirements as indicated above.

Students on F(student), B(visitor), J(exchange), C, D, H2, H3, M, O2, P, Q, R or TN visas are not eligible for resident rate of tuition. Persons holding a different Immigration status should contact the Bursar at (845) 574 - 4243

Students who fail to present documentation will be charged non-resident tuition. It is the responsibility of the student not the college to prove residency.

 Any of the following is appropriate documentation of State and County legal residency:   

• Duration of the student’s physical presence in NY State
• State of residency of the student’s family
• NYS driver’s license or non-driver ID card
• NY  State voter registration
• NY State motor vehicle registration
• NY State income tax returns
• NY State bank accounts
• Proof of ownership of NY State real property
• Residential lease for property

Certificate applications are available in the Bursar's Office and must be presented to the home county Treasurer's Office.
A new certificate must be submitted each year.

Information on NYC Certificate of Residency

Certificate of Residency Links:

Orange County - Nassau County - New York City - Suffolk County - Westchester
Out-Of-County -- New York State

The following are the names and addresses of various New York State counties that you may contact to obtain a valid Certificate of Residence.