Residency Information for Tuition at LCCC


LCCC adheres to the Pennsylvania State Code (35.29b) on residency, which defines domicile as "the place where one intends to and does, in fact, permanently reside." According to Pennsylvania State Code (Chapter 35 {35.29b}), in order to establish Commonwealth residency, it is presumed that out-of-state students be residents of the Commonwealth for twelve (12) months prior to registration to meet residency requirements for in-state tuition. Students may rebut this presumption by convincing evidence. For the purpose of this policy, the following military-related persons are considered residents of Pennsylvania with regard to the determination of tuition rates:

  • veterans, their spouses and dependent children who do not currently reside in Pennsylvania;
  • military personnel [or their dependents], their spouses and dependent children who are assigned to an active duty station in Pennsylvania and who reside in Pennsylvania;
  • any civilian personnel [or their dependents], their spouses and dependent children employed at a Department of Defense facility who are transferred to Pennsylvania by the Department of Defense and who reside in Pennsylvania;
  • A child, a spouse or a surviving spouse who is eligible to receive benefits under 38 U.S.C. Ch. 35 (relating to survivors' and dependents' educational assistance); and,
  • Individuals eligible to receive benefits under any of the following:
    • 10 U.S.C. Chs. 1606 (relating to educational assistance for members of the selected reserve) and 1607 (relating to educational assistance for reserve component members supporting contingency operations and certain other operations).
    • 38 U.S.C. Ch. 30 (relating to all-volunteer force educational assistance program).
    • 38 U.S.C. Ch. 31 (relating to training and rehabilitation for veterans with service-connected disabilities).
    • 38 U.S.C. Ch. 33 (relating to post-9/11 educational assistance).

The term "veteran" is defined as an individual who served in the United States Armed Forces, including a reserve component or the National Guard, and who was discharged or released from service under conditions other than dishonorable. The term includes an individual described in 38 U.S.C. ยง 3319(b) (relating to authority to transfer unused education benefits to family members).

A student's residence is determined based on the information provided on the application for admission or readmission or on convincing evidence submitted to the Admissions Office prior to the first day of classes. Convincing evidence of residency includes the following:

  • Pennsylvania driver's license.
  • Lease or purchase of a permanent independent residence.
  • Payment of appropriate state and local taxes. Special attention shall be given to payment of Commonwealth taxes on income earned during periods of temporary absence from this Commonwealth.
  • Transfer of bank accounts, stock, automobile and other registered property to this Commonwealth.
  • Agreement for permanent full-time employment in this Commonwealth.
  • Membership in Commonwealth social, civic, political, athletic and religious organizations.
  • Registration to vote in this Commonwealth.
  • Statement of intention to reside indefinitely in this Commonwealth.
  • Statement from the parents or guardian of a minor setting forth facts to establish the financial independence and separate residence of the minor.

Cases shall be decided on the basis of facts submitted, with qualitative rather than quantitative emphasis. No given number of factors may be required for domicile, since the determination in each case is one of the subjective intention of the student to reside indefinitely in this Commonwealth and/or in Luzerne County.

Students are charged tuition on the basis of their residency at the time they register for classes. Fees are assessed separately. Early College students shall pay the appropriate tuition established for the Early College Program regardless of their residency.

A student's residency will not be changed throughout the course of the student's **continuous enrollment with LCCC unless and until the College receives notification that the student's permanent residency has changed. It is the responsibility of the student to notify the Admissions Office of any changes in residency by completing a Change of Address form and providing proof of residency for the new address (or by going to Self Service, logging in and clicking on Update Profile -Self Service under User Account). A student's residency classification for purposes of tuition calculation will not be adjusted after the first day of the semester. Any changes made to residency after the first day of the semester will be reflected in the following semester's tuition calculation.

Residents of Luzerne County will be charged the in-county tuition rate for courses taken at the main campus in Luzerne County and all off-campus sites with the exception of specialized courses. Student residents of Pennsylvania enrolled in distance education courses will be charged the in-county rate. Residents of Pennsylvania counties other than Luzerne County will be charged the out-of-county tuition for courses taken online (through distance education), at the main campus, and at all off-campus sites in Luzerne County. Students who reside in school districts within Luzerne County will be charged tuition based on their county of residence and not the school district they attend. In-county tuition may be charged to residents of Pennsylvania counties other than Luzerne County for courses taken at off-campus sites when those counties have entered into appropriate agreements with Luzerne County Community College approved by the Board of Trustees.

Students who are not residents of Pennsylvania, including those who are enrolled in distance education courses, will pay out-of-state tuition. International students are considered out-of-state residents throughout their enrollment at the College. Permanent residents, refugees and asylum status are considered residents of the United States in the state and county in which they are living.

A minor under the age of 18 shall be presumed to have the domicile of parents or guardian. If the presumption is incorrect, the minor may provide proof of emancipation and independent domicile through convincing evidence.

The College reserves the right to request additional information on a student's residence at any time there is reason to suspect that the student's address is incorrect. Any false statements or records concerning residency may result in additional tuition charges and disciplinary action.

** A student is considered to be continuously enrolled when he/she enrolls for the major semesters (Fall and Spring) of each year subsequent to his/her initial enrollment without interruption.