Effective January 1, 2012, all students applying for in-state tuition must provide validation of lawful presence in the United States. The following documents will serve as proof of lawful presence in the United States and documentation will be required before a student is eligible for consideration of in-state tuition:
- Students who file a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and are eligible for federal student aid will have their lawful presence verified as part of the FAFSA process.
- A clear copy of an original or certified U.S. Birth Certificate showing the student was born in the U.S. or a U.S. territory, A U.S. Certificate of Birth Abroad issued by the Department of State (DS-1350) or a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (FS-240). The copy must very clearly show the raised or written seal to be acceptable.
- A U.S. Certificate of Naturalization (USCIS form N-550 or N-570).
- A U.S. Certificate of Citizenship (USCIS form N-560 or N-561).
- A current U.S. Passport.
- Unexpired Georgia and select out-of-state driver's licenses and state ID cards can be accepted under certain conditions. It must be a Real ID and not contain any of the verbiages in the chart below. If the copy received has the top portion of the card cut off the document will not satisfy lawful presence.
- A current military ID (service member only, not dependent). Documented using the Confirmation of Review of Military ID Worksheet - A photocopy is not acceptable.
- A current, valid Permanent Resident Card (USCIS form I-151 or I-551). We require both the front & back sides of your Permanent Resident Card to be submitted. It must not expire before the first day of class of the term the student will start classes.
- Students admitted on an F, J, or M Visa will have their lawful presence verified through the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).
- Students admitted on any other Visa will have their lawful presence verified through the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) Program.
| State | DL/ID Requirements for Acceptance |
| Alabama | Must NOT be marked “FN” |
| Alaska | Must NOT be marked “Limited Term” |
| California | Must NOT be marked “Limited Term.” Instruction Permits, Commercial Learner’s Permits, and temporary licenses cannot be accepted. |
| Delaware | Must NOT be marked “Limited Term” or “Temporary” |
| Florida | Must NOT be marked “Temporary” |
| Georgia | Must NOT be marked “Limited Term” |
| Idaho | Must NOT be marked “Limited Term” |
| Iowa | Must NOT be marked “Limited Term” |
| Kentucky | Must NOT be marked “Not for REAL ID purposes” |
| Louisiana | Must NOT be marked “Limited Term” |
| Maryland | Must NOT indicate “T” restriction |
| Missouri | Must NOT be marked “Limited Term” |
| Montana | Must NOT be marked “Limited Term” or “Temporary” |
| Nevada | Must NOT be marked “Limited Term” |
| North Carolina | Must NOT be marked “Limited Term” |
| Ohio | Must NOT indicate that it is “nonrenewable and nontransferable” |
| Oklahoma | Must NOT be marked “Temporary” |
| South Carolina | Must NOT be marked “Limited Term” |
| Tennessee | Must NOT be marked “Temporary” |
| Texas | Must NOT be marked “Limited Term” or “Temporary” |
| Vermont | Must NOT be marked “Limited Term” |
| Wisconsin | Must NOT be marked “Limited Term” |
Any student who cannot be verified as lawfully present in the United States is not eligible to be considered for in-state tuition, regardless of how long he or she has lived in Georgia. In addition to being lawfully present in the United States, students must meet the in-state tuition requirements as outlined in TCSG Board Policy and Procedure 6.2.2 to warrant an in-state classification. Students that are initially classified as out-of-state and successfully petition to have their residency changed to in-state also have to meet the verification requirement.