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Residency

Tri-County Technical College determines residency in accordance with South Carolina law and Commission on Higher Education (CHE) regulations (S.C. Code §§59-112-10–100). Residency status is assigned at the time of admission and remains in effect unless new information is provided for review. Residency is based on domicile, meaning the student’s true, fixed, and permanent home, and the burden of proof rests with the student to provide appropriate documentation. To qualify for in-state tuition, the student must be a legal South Carolina resident and demonstrate at least 12 consecutive months of domicile. Note: Living in South Carolina for educational purposes alone does not establish residency.

Out-of-State to In-State Requirements

If a student believes a change from out-of-state to in-state (or in-county) status is warranted, the student must:

  • complete and submit a Residency Petition Form
  • provide all required documentation by the published priority date; and
  • pay any outstanding out-of-state tuition by the due date (any difference will be refunded if approved). Note: Status changes are not retroactive for previous terms.

Requests will be considered through the Session A add period for the current semester as listed on the Enrollment and Academic Calendar.

Documentation supporting South Carolina residency typically includes:

  • proof of domicile (lease or closing documents)
  • South Carolina driver’s license or ID
  • vehicle registration(s)
  • most recent federal and state tax returns
  • income verification

A South Carolina driver’s license or ID and vehicle registration must generally be obtained within 45 days of establishing residency; failure to do so may delay the beginning of the 12-month residency eligibility period.

Students who are dependents must also provide documentation from a parent or guardian. Non-U.S. citizens must submit applicable immigration records.

Incomplete residency packets will not be considered. Additional documentation may be required at the discretion of the Residency Officer.

Processing times may vary; early submission is encouraged. Providing false information will result in reassessment of tuition, penalties, and interest. Residency classifications from other institutions do not guarantee the same determination at Tri-County.

Exeptions

Certain students may qualify for an exception to the 12-month residency requirement as permitted by South Carolina law and Commission on Higher Education (CHE) regulations. Exceptions may include, but are not limited to:

  • Active-duty military personnel and their dependents stationed in South Carolina
  • Full-time employees working in South Carolina (and their dependents, if applicable)
  • Retirees who have established residence and receive retirement income in South Carolina
  • Students whose parent or legal guardian is a South Carolina resident (for dependent students)
  • Other circumstances as outlined in state law and CHE regulations

Students requesting an exception must submit a Residency Petition Form and provide supporting documentation based on the specific exception being claimed (such as military orders, employer verification, or proof of retirement income). Submission of documentation does not guarantee approval, and all requests are evaluated in accordance with state regulations.

Resources

Out-of-County to In-County Requirements

To qualify for in-county tuition, the student must have lived in Anderson, Oconee, or Pickens County continuously for at least 12 months and provide documentation of residence by submitting the In-County Residency Petition Form and providing the following documents:

  • South Carolina ID
  • Lease agreement, closing documents

Processing times may vary; early submission is encouraged. Providing false information will result in reassessment of tuition, penalties, and interest. Residency classifications from other institutions do not guarantee the same determination at Tri-County.

Resources

Residency Appeals

Any person, following a decision on his or her resident classification, may appeal the decision to the Tri-County Technical College’s residency appeals committee. This committee, however, is bound by the same laws and regulations as the Residency Officer, so its purpose is only to review the facts and details of any case and to evaluate the correctness of the decision made by the College’s Residency Officer. Neither the committee nor the Residency Officer may waive the provisions of the law or regulations.

Persons wishing to appeal a residency decision must provide a letter to the College’s Residency Officer (Ruby Hicks, First Floor, Pendleton Campus) stating the intention to appeal the decision. The letter must also include a summary of the person’s situation and a statement that specifies the residency provision under which the person feels he or she qualifies to pay in-state (or in-county) fees. The Residency Officer will then schedule a meeting of the appeals committee to hear the appeal.

Questions regarding residency status should be directed to the Registrar's Office at 864-646-8282 or registrar@tctc.edu.