2025-26 Audit and Reporting Guidelines Format Final- Harsha

 ● Armed Forces Veterans and Beneficiaries are eligible for in-state residency for tuition purposes under Mississippi Senate Bill 2127 of the 2015 Legislative Session. The bill amends state law § 37-103-25. As such, the college’s School Certifying Officer (SCO) has reporting responsibilities to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) on behalf of the institution. In that capacity, the SCO through official VA documents and/or communications, reporting, and correspondence with the VA can determine the US Veteran status of a Veteran student or their eligible dependents. The SCO can present to the Office of Admissions, for inclusion in the non- MS resident student’s admissions file, at least one two of the following in consideration of in-state tuition purposes: o ● A copy of a Veteran’s complete DD214 Member 4 form . o ● A signed letter from the SCO on college letterhead accompanied by supporting VA documentation that links the individual to the VA benefit as provided (as an example by state statute §37-103-25 Section 1 (c)…” as evidenced by a Report of Separation from Military Services or ot her military discharge document.” The signed letter from the SCO must contain the following minimum elements: Name of college the Student is Currently Attending; Student Full Name; SSN (Full or Last Four Digits) or College-issued student ID; Student’s Current Full Address; and Verification/Certification Statement attesting that residency has been established under state statute §37-103-25 Section 1 (c). NOTE: Spouses and children of armed forces members not meeting this criteria should follow the residency flowcharts for Children or Spouses of Armed Forces member found in Tab 02 of this manual. o ● A VA form relative to educational benefits or dependency such as a Transfer of Eligibility, Certificate of Eligibility, or VA documentation that links the individual to the VA benefit .

Please note the following regarding residency for Armed Forces Veterans and Beneficiaries:

a. Once established for a non-MS resident student or their direct dependents, the in-state residency status applies to the initial semester of enrollment and all subsequent semesters of enrollment, even if there is a break in enrollment .

Tab 02 – Enrollment Audit and Reporting Guidelines

11

Updated 10/01/2023