NYS Residency Application

Carefully read the application instructions below. In addition to the residency application, you must provide the required supporting documents.

>> NYS Residency Application Spring 2023 (.pdf)

Exceptions

If you are a New York State resident living outside the five boroughs of New York City, do not fill out this application. Instead, apply for a Certificate of Residence issued by the chief fiscal officer of the New York State county in which you reside.

If you attended a New York State high school for two or more years, and graduated from that high school within the last five years, you are eligible for New York State resident tuition. You do not need to complete the application. We only need a copy of your high school diploma and transcript or GED diploma.

If you are receiving Parent PLUS Loans and your parents are not New York residents, you are not eligible for New York State resident tuition. Do not complete this application. 

Implications

Being a resident of New York implies the decision to abandon one's former state of domicile and establish one in New York. Mere physical presence or enrollment at a college in New York State is not sufficient.

Residency also implies the student's intent to remain in New York after completing his or her studies. Relevant factors include, but are not limited to: the state of voter registration and driver's license; one's residence for income tax purposes; financial independence; employment and income sources in New York; motor vehicle and personal property registration; the site of real and personal property; and bank accounts.

A financially-dependent student takes residence from their parent(s) on whom they are dependent. The domicile of unemancipated students is that of their parents, custodial parents, or legal guardians. Students under the age of 24 must show proof of financial independence if claiming emancipation. In addition, students must provide evidence of one year of independent living in order to be considered emancipated.

For guidelines for Establishment of Residency for Tuition Purposes (SUNY), see:
SUNY University-Wide Policies & Procedures Directory

Application

New degree students and all non-degree students must submit the application and supporting documents to the Office of Admissions by mail or in person:

Fashion Institute of Technology
Office of Admissions, Room C139
227 West 27th Street
New York, NY 10001-5992

Continuing degree students should submit the application to the Office of the Bursar by mail or email:

Fashion Institute of Technology
Attn: William Martin, Office of the Bursar 
227 West 27th Street, Rm 333/15
New York, NY 10001-5992

Email: [email protected] 

Or in person:

The Office of the Bursar
Business and Liberal Center
Room B-127

Completed applications must be submitted prior to the end of the registration period for the semester for which the application is intended. 

Only complete applications will be reviewed. All questions must be answered. The application must be notarized. Please allow four to six weeks for review.

No retroactive adjustments to your residency status for prior semesters will be made. Pending applications oblige you to pay the non-resident tuition rate; upon approval, you will be reimbursed accordingly. Applications for students who have an outstanding liability to the college will not be reviewed.

Eligibility for tuition billing at the New York State resident rate is contingent on you being able to prove that your permanent legal residence in New York was established at least one year prior to the start of the semester for which you are applying to change your status.

Supporting Documents

Students applying for change of residency status must submit the following supporting documents. One of the highlighted documents must be at least one year old.

• highlightresidential rental lease or proof of ownership of New York State real estate property
• highlightNew York State driver's license or non-driver identification card or motor vehicle registration
• highlightNew York State voter registration card
• New York State and federal income tax returns for most recent tax year (including the W-2 Form)
• non-immigrant individuals: copy of visa (see important information below)
• immigrant individuals: copy of resident alien card (see important information below)

Applicants must present evidence of emancipation and an established New York State domicile in order to be designated as New York State residents for tuition purposes. Proof of emancipation must include documentation demonstrating financial independence.

Anyone claimed on a parental federal or state tax return as a dependent is, by definition, domiciled with that parent.

Applicants who are receiving financial aid should be aware that a reduction in tuition charges might have an impact on their aid, and that in some cases, the awards will be also reduced.   

Information for Students Who are Not U.S. Citizens

Immigrant Aliens

Students who are not U.S. citizens must have a resident alien card and meet the other requirements necessary for establishing residency. If the application is still pending, you must send a copy of your passport, stamped by USCIS, as being processed for I-551, or a copy of the Notice of Action from USCIS in response to Form I-485, Application for Permanent Residence.

Non-Immigrant Aliens

Students with student visas are not eligible for New York State residency status. Students with certain types of visas may be eligible if they have been residents of New York for at least one year, their type of visa qualifies (A and G visas, for example), and the visa is at least one year old. For more information on any specific visa, contact the Office of the Bursar.

Undocumented Students and Other Non-Residents

Non-resident students, including undocumented students, who attend for at least two years and graduate from a New York high school are eligible for resident tuition. See: Undocumented Students

Residency Denial Appeals

Students who have submitted a residency application to the Bursar’s Office and had their application denied do have a right to appeal the decision as per State University of New York (SUNY) Policy 7810, Section II.E.

Appeals must be submitted in writing within 14 days of the receipt of the initial decision email.

Appeal letters should be emailed to [email protected]

Please include any relevant documentation you feel will support your appeal. The Bursar’s Office will forward your original application to the Appeals Committee. You do not need to submit documentation already included in your initial application.

The decision of the Appeals Committee will be mailed to your address on file with FIT.

All decisions made by the Appeals Committee are final and cannot be further appealed.

Contact Us

[email protected]

Administrative Office
333 7th Avenue, 15th Floor
(212) 217-3720

Cashiering Operations
Business and Liberal Arts Center, Room B127
(212) 217-3680