2025-26 Audit and Reporting Guidelines Format Final- Harsha

RESIDENCY

G ENERAL R ESIDENCY D ETERMINATION

The law (MCA 37-103-3) states that a person entering the state to enter an educational institution is considered a nonresident; therefore, a Mississippi domicile listed on an admissions application does not in and of itself prove in-state residency, if other admission documents (transcripts, for example) point to possible out-of-state residency prior to admission. The flowcharts, tables, and decision trees that follow provide guidance for determining residency.

I N OR O UT S TATE R ESIDENT - C LARIFICATION

IN OR OUT STATE RESIDENT-CLARIFICATION  ● The State of Mississippi reimburses the colleges only for students who are residents of the state. As with most laws there are exceptions, such as, MPACT beneficiaries, qualified MS fostered minors, out-of-state Veterans, students who attended all high school years and graduated in Mississippi, etc.  ● Therefore, wherever the word “resident or residency” is used in these guidelines, flowcharts, tables, and decision trees, it must be understood that the purpose is to determine if a student’s credit hours can be reimbursed, provided all other conditions are met.  ● A student flagged as an in-state resident may not be officially a MS resident; that is, the student may not be able to obtain a MS Driver’s License or vote. Conversely, a resident may be considered as an out-of-state student if sufficient MS proof of residency is not timely provided.  ● Residency in the context of this manual is to determine which students can or cannot be counted for state reimbursement. Residency determination for reimbursement purposes does not change the legal status (voting, driver’s license, etc.) of the student.

R ESIDENCY O F M INORS - C LARIFICATION

RESIDENCY OF MINORS - CLARIFICATION  ● In the State of Mississippi, the residency of a minor is based on his/her parents’ residency. o ● Divorced parents resides reside with whichever parent has legal custody. o ● Guardianship must be issued by a MS court. NOTE: Living with adult family and/or adult non-family member/s without legal MS guardianship does not qualify.

o ● Deceased parent cases are tied to the residency of last surviving parent o ● Tab 2 contains the List of Approved Residency Documents section.

R ESIDENCY E XCEPTIONS

RESIDENCY EXCEPTIONS Residency exceptions can result in students qualifying for In State status after meeting specific eligibility requirements with the 4-year MS HS exception for minors, the Mississippi Department of Corrections exception for students 21 years or older, or as a homeless minor (unaccompanied or accompanied by a parent or legal guardian), as follows:  ● The 4-year MS HS exception for minors: o ● A minor student residing in MS who, upon registration at the college, presents a high

Tab 02 – Enrollment Audit and Reporting Guidelines

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Updated 10/01/2023