Visa Eligibility and Non-Eligibility for Ohio Residency and Tuition Purposes

To be eligible, the immigration documentation that you provide must be current.

F-1 Visa - Generally, independent students holding F-1 visas are not eligible to be considered Ohio residents for tuition purposes. However, if a student with an F-1 visa also has an application for permanent residence (1-485 application) pending with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the student may be eligible to have their tuition charged at the resident tuition rate.  Persons with the Visa type F-1 may also show dependency on a parent or spouse who has an H-1 visa type or meets all of the following conditions:  is a U.S. citizen, an Ohio resident and filing as an Ohio resident for tax purposes to be considered eligible for in-state residency.  Proof of eligibility from parent or spouse may be requested at any time during the application process.

 A dependent student must also hold an eligible visa status. If a student currently holds an ineligible visa (i.e. F-1), but has paid to adjust his or her visa status through the Department of Homeland Security, and once processed will have an eligible visa status, he or she must submit a receipt from USCIS of their pending application and it must be valid.  No expired documentation, without an additional valid date stamp from USCIS, will be accepted.

If you have received approval for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status, under the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ discretion may apply to have the non-resident fees from their tuition removed as long as all other residency requirements are met.  To be considered for in-state tuition, applicants with DACA status should submit the application with supporting documentation, and the following items:

1. Copy of unexpired USCIS I-797 receipt notice showing approval has been granted

2. Employment Authorization Card

3. Ohio Driver’s License or Ohio Identification card