Residency Verification

If you attended a New York State high school for two or more years and graduated within the last five years: You are eligible for New York State resident tuition. You do not have to complete the application details on this page. Please send a copy of your high school diploma or GED and transcript to [email protected].

Eligibility

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 Fall 2024 semester which falls on August 26, 2024.

To be coded appropriately as an in-state resident, you must furnish evidence which may include, but is not limited to:

  • the state of your voter registration and driver's license
  • the residence you use 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

This documentation must be submitted to the Office of Graduate Admissions and will be reviewed upon receipt. Documents must be received by the Office of Graduate Admissions no earlier than May 1, 2024 and no later than July 25, 2024.

Residency Documentation Details

New York State residency requirements fall into two categories: 

  1. Individuals who live outside the five boroughs of New York City
  2. Individuals who live inside the five boroughs of New York City

Please follow the instructions below according to your residency status.

You must file a County Certificate of Residency certified by your home county to qualify for the in-state tuition rate.

1. Complete the appropriate affidavit for your county. Your application for a Certificate of Residence can be received no earlier than sixty (60) days before the start date of the semester, which is August 26, 2024. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, these policies may vary by county. Please follow the instructions as indicated on the county's official website or contact your county office for clarification.

2. Have the affidavit notarized.

3. Submit the notarized affidavit to your county with two (2) of the following documents below as proof of residency. They must be at least one (1) year old and dated within two years prior to the date of the application:

  • driver's license
  • vehicle registration
  • apartment lease
  • income tax return
  • utility bill
  • voter registration card
  • TAP award certificate
  • rent receipts

Note: Your county may require that proof be in your name only. Some counties may allow you to submit a copy of a parental income tax return, listing you as a dependent. All inquiries are to be directed to your county.

4. Mail the notarized affidavit with photocopies of the documents to your county. Do not mail these materials to FIT.
» County Mailing Addresses 

5. When you receive the certificate of residency from your county:

  • Write your student ID number on the upper right corner of the document.
  • Email a copy to [email protected].
  • Mail the original to:
    Fashion Institute of Technology
    Attn: William Martin, Office of the Bursar
    227 West 27th Street, Rm 333/15
    New York, NY 10001-5992  

Or you may deliver to original to:
The Office of the Bursar
Business and Liberal Art Center
Room B-127

1. Complete the New York State Residency Application (.pdf)

2. Have Section D of the application notarized.

3. Gather the following documents as a supplement to your application. These are required and must show at least one year of residency by August 26, 2024.

  • New York State income tax returns for most recent tax year (including the W-2 Form)
  • Federal income tax returns for most recent tax year (including the W-2 Form)
    If you are claimed on a parental Federal or State tax return as a dependent, please submit your parents’ returns for the most recent tax year
  • Residential rental lease or proof of ownership of New York State real estate property
    If you are a dependent we will accept your parent's lease or proof of ownership.
  • New York State driver's license (or non-driver identification card) or motor vehicle registration

4. Mail the hard copy of the notarized application with photocopies of all supplemental documents to:

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

Important Additional Information

The timeline for processing graduate residency applications differs from Undergraduate Admissions.

Residency verification for graduate students is processed for fall semester only. Residency applications for other semesters will only be processed if your intial fall application is not approved and you become eligible for the following semester.

Documents must be received no later than July 25, 2024. Late, incomplete, or pending applications oblige you to pay the non-resident tuition rate until approval is granted.

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

Be sure to check your FIT student email frequently for more important information.

SUNY Establishment of Residency for Tuition Purposes: SUNY University-Wide Policies & Procedures Directory.