Establish Residency

U.S. Citizens and Permanent Resident Aliens

To qualify as a New York State resident, you must have established legal residence by maintaining a domicile in New York State for a period of at least one year preceding the date of the semester. A domicile is defined as a fixed permanent home to which you intend to return after being absent for a period of time. A person does not acquire a New York State domicile simply by being physically present in New York for a period of twelve months. A person retains a domicile until their present domicile is abandoned and another domicile is established.

If you currently reside in New York City (any of the five Boroughs)

New York City residents (any of the five Boroughs) who have met the New York State residency requirement by maintaining a domicile in New York State for a period of at least one year preceding the date of registration must sign the residency affidavit printed on the registration form at the time of admission to the college.

If you currently reside in New York State, outside of New York City

New York State Law requires that New York State residents who do not reside in New York City (any of the five Boroughs) must file a County Certificate of Residency certified by their home county to qualify for the in-state tuition rate. The certificate is issued by the student's County Administrative or Treasurer's Office, not by FIT.

New York State (non-NYC) residents are billed the equivalent of the out-of-state tuition rate. Students will receive a credit for the difference in tuition rates once a completed Certificate / Affidavit from the student's home county has been submitted to the Bursar's Office.

County Certificate Of Residence Info And Affidavit Application

If you want to establish New York State residency

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

NYS Residency Info And Application

Non-Immigrant Aliens

International students with F-1 Student Visas are not eligible for the in-state tuition rate.

Students with other types of Visas may be eligible if they have been residents of New York State (as discussed above) for one year prior to the date of registration. The student must have possessed the qualifying visa for at least one year prior to the date of registration. 

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