Policy Number:Â I-30
Last Reviewed:Â October 16, 2026
Responsible Dept.:Â Vice President of Student Affairs
A signed copy of this policy is available in the President’s Office.
The Virginia Community College System is guided by the Code of Virginia and the regulations of the State Council for Higher Education Domicile Guidelines.
For the purposes of in-state tuition, the institution will first determine if the student is a national or an eligible alien. If the student is neither a national nor an eligible alien, the student is not eligible for further domicile review unless the student qualifies under the High School Completer Exception. The institution will then determine if the student is a Virginia resident. A Virginia resident is defined by state law as one who has lived in Virginia, with intent to remain a Virginian, for a period of at least one year prior to the first official day of class for the semester in which he or she is enrolling. The burden of proving eligibility for in-state tuition rests with the applicant. All applicants to Virginia Western who claim entitlement to Virginia in-state tuition rates must complete the domiciliary items included with the application for admission as well as whatever additional documentation may be deemed necessary.
Initial determination of eligibility for in-state tuition rates is made at the point of application. . Applicants may appeal this initial determination to the Enrollment Staff by using the enroll@virginiawestern.edu email in writing within 30 days of the decision. This appeal must include copies of the applicant’s driver’s license, motor vehicle registration, income tax returns for the previous tax year, and any other relevant documents that may support the claim of eligibility for in-state tuition rates. This intermediate review will be completed within 30 days of receipt of the written appeal and supporting documentation. The decision will be sent to the email address on file.
Applicants may appeal the intermediate review by the Enrollment Center Staff. This appeal must be submitted in writing to the Domicile Officer at domicile@virginiawestern.edu within 30 days of receiving the results of the intermediate review. The decision of the Domicile Officer represents the final administrative review.
Please note that an out-of-state tuition status cannot be changed after the first day of the semester. It is important to submit your appeal and documentation prior to the start of the semester. Students interested in appealing decisions beyond the final appeal stage can reference the for more information.
In the event that a student’s circumstances change after a semester has begun, the student’s tuition status may be eligible for reclassification; this reclassification shall be effective for the next academic semester following the submission date of a new Application for In-State Tuition (PDF). It is the responsibility of the student to submit a new Application for In-State Tuition (PDF) and supporting documentation to the Virginia Western Enrollment Center Office. Virginia Western will not initiate this process on behalf of the student.
Special considerations for veterans, active duty military, and their dependents:
Federal and state law provides for exceptions to domicile and in-state tuition regulations for veterans, active-duty military, and their dependents. ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ adheres to federal and state law when reviewing domicile and in-state tuition eligibility for veterans, active-duty military, and their dependents. The Domicile Officer may request proper documentation such as military orders, leave and earning statements, verification of VA benefit usage, proof of Virginia residence, etc. to confirm eligibility for a domicile or tuition exception. Refer to the VCCS Policy Manual (4.3.0.4, 4.3.0.6, 4.3.0.7) and the State Council of Higher Education for the most current policy and regulatory guidance.
Veterans Choice Act:
The following individuals shall be charged the in-state rate, or otherwise considered a resident, for tuition purposes:
- A Veteran using educational assistance under either Chapter 30 (Montgomery G.I. Bill®-Active-Duty Program) or Chapter 33 (Post-9/11 G.I. Bill®), of title 38, United States Code, who lives in the Commonwealth of Virginia while attending a school located in the Commonwealth of Virginia (regardless of his/her formal State of residence).
- Anyone using transferred Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits (38 U.S.C. § 3319), who lives in the Commonwealth of Virginia while attending a school located in the Commonwealth of Virginia (regardless of his/her formal State of residence).
- A spouse or child using educational assistance under Chapter 35 (Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance), of title 38, United States Code, who lives in the Commonwealth of Virginia while attending a school located in the Commonwealth of Virginia (regardless of his/her formal State of residence), effective for courses, semesters, or terms beginning after August 1, 2022.
- Anyone using transferred Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits (38 U.S. C. § 3319) who lives in the Commonwealth of Virginia while attending a school located in the Commonwealth of Virginia (regardless of his/her formal State of residence) and the transferor is a member of the uniformed service who is serving on active duty.
- A spouse or child using benefits under the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry
- Scholarship (38 U.S.C. § 3311(b)(9)) who lives in the Commonwealth of Virginia while attending a school located in the Commonwealth of Virginia (regardless of his/her formal State of residence).
- An individual using educational assistance under Chapter 31, Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) who lives in the Commonwealth of Virginia while attending a school located in the Commonwealth of Virginia (regardless of his/her formal State of residence) effective for courses, semesters, or terms beginning after March 1, 2019.
- A Service member using educational assistance under Chapter 1606 (Montgomery G.I. Bill®-Selected Reserves Program), of title 10 (38 U.S.C. § 3679(c)), who lives in the Commonwealth of Virginia while attending a school located in the Commonwealth of Virginia (regardless of his/her formal State of residence).
- Anyone described above while he or she remains continuously enrolled (other than during regularly scheduled breaks between courses, semesters, or terms) at the same institution. The person also must be using educational benefits under Chapter 30, Chapter 33, Chapter 31, or Chapter 35 of title 38, or Chapter 1606 of title 10, United States Code.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government web site at
Reviewed/Revised: 1/2014, 9/2014, 6/2015, 3/2017, 12/2020, 4/2022, 12/2023 (minor edits); 4/2024; 10/2026
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