Residency Application Instructions

C-1 

Financially Dependent (married student or a dependent child whose parent/legal guardian/spouse has been a resident of Ohio for 12-consecutive months prior to the start of the semester for which student is applying) 

ODHE Guideline

Important to remember:  

• Twelve-consecutive months of residency for the parent/legal guardian/spouse must be shown.
• In situations where a dependent student’s parents are divorced or separated, with one living outside of Ohio, the student must be claimed as a dependent on the IRS Tax Return Transcript in the current or previous tax year of the parent/legal guardian residing in Ohio.

Think you may qualify?  Use the C-1 and C-3 Classifications form to apply and submit the following:

• Current signed lease, rental agreement, or settlement statement (given at closing during the purchasing of a home) establishing the parent/legal guardian/spouse is residing in Ohio for the last 12-consecutive months prior to student’s enrollment
• Parent/legal guardian/spouse’s most recent IRS Tax Return Transcript; visit the IRS website to learn the four ways you can request this document
• Parent/legal guardian/spouse’s most recent Ohio state income tax transcript, redacting all social security numbers
• Parent/legal guardian/spouse’s Ohio driver’s license or State ID
• Marriage certificate (if applicable)
• Current immigration or visa status for both parent/legal guardian/spouse and student (if applicable)

C-3

Immediate Residency (as of the first day of a term of enrollment, a parent/legal guardian/spouse has established domicile and accepted full-time, self-sustaining employment in Ohio)  

ODHE Guideline

Important to remember:  

• As a temporary classification, the student must request residency be reviewed every semester (reapply for C-3 status and include all supporting documentation) until the student has been residing in Ohio for 12-consecutive months.  
• This classification applies to a student who has been claimed on a parent/legal guardian’s federal income tax return for the most recent tax year and the student’s parent/legal guardian/spouse has accepted full-time employment before the start of the term in which the student is applying.
• Two part-time jobs or any combination cannot be used to constitute one full-time position. Graduate assistantships are not considered full-time employment.
• Returning students (previously enrolled at Miami University) are not eligible to apply for this classification

Think you may qualify? Use the C-1 and C-3 Classifications form to apply and submit the following:

• Letter from parent/legal guardian/spouse’s employer on company letterhead that contains the following: name of employed person; date employment began; confirming the person is employed on a full-time basis.
• Parent/legal guardian/spouse’s most recent pay stub showing year-to-date earnings and Ohio tax withholding
• Current signed lease, rental agreement or settlement statement (given at closing during the purchasing of a home) establishing the parent/legal guardian/spouse and student are residing in Ohio by the first day of the term
• Parent/legal guardian/spouse’s most recent IRS Tax Return Transcript; visit the IRS website to learn the four ways you can request this document
• Parent/legal guardian/spouse’s Ohio most recent state income tax transcript, redacting all social security numbers (if applicable)
• Marriage certificate (if applicable)
• Current immigration or visa status for both parent/legal guardian/spouse and student (if applicable)

C-2

Financially Independent Student (students trying to become an Ohio resident while attending school full-time and parent/legal guardian lives outside the state of Ohio)

ODHE Guideline

Important to remember:

• During the 12-month review period, the student must show sufficient Ohio-based income subject to Ohio taxation. 
• If the student is claimed as a dependent on a parent/legal guardian’s federal income tax return, they are not eligible to apply.
• The student cannot receive any financial support from outside the state of Ohio to assist with payment of tuition, books, room, board, or other living expenses.  

Think you may qualify? Use the C-2 Classification and E-1 Exception form to apply and submit the following: 

• Currently signed lease, rental agreement, or settlement statement (given at closing during the purchasing of a home) that account for the last 12-consecutive months prior to student’s enrollment
• All unaltered statements of student’s financial accounts (checking and savings) that document the past 12 months of deposits and withdrawals
• Proof of financial resources for the past 12 months (e.g. pay stubs showing Ohio tax withheld, unemployment benefits, state benefits, investments)
  • Student’s most recent IRS Tax Return Transcript; visit the IRS website to learn the four ways you can request this document
• Students must show they are claiming their own exemption; copy of parent/legal guardian’s federal and state income tax returns may also be requested
• Student’s most recent Ohio state income tax transcript, redacting all social security numbers 
• Student’s unexpired Ohio driver license or State ID
• Student’s vehicle registration
• Current immigration or visa status of student (if applicable)

E-1

Conditional Residency (financially independent students employed and enrolled less than full time)

ODHE Guideline

Important to remember:  

• As a temporary classification, the student must request residency be reviewed every semester. Only two E-1 applications can be submitted. After this time, an application for permanent residency must be filed.  
• This exception does not apply to students who are enrolled full-time (undergraduates must be enrolled less than 12 credit hours; graduate students, less than nine credit hours)
• Employment minimally covers all living expenses; tuition can be covered by employment and/or financial aid

Think you may qualify? Use the C-2 Classification and E-1 Exception to apply and submit the following: 

• Letter from employer on employer’s letterhead affirming student’s employment; date of hire; minimum number of hours
• Student’s Most recent pay stub showing year-to-date earnings and Ohio tax withholding
• Current signed lease, rental agreement, or settlement statement (given at closing during the purchasing of a home) establishing the student is residing in Ohio by the first day of the term
• Student’s most recent IRS Tax Return Transcript; visit the IRS website to learn the four ways you can request this document
• Student’s most recent Ohio State income tax transcript, redacting all social security numbers

E-4

Overseas Transfers (transferred by employer beyond the territorial limits of the 50 states of the U.S. and the District of Columbia while a resident of Ohio for all other legal purposes)

ODHE Guideline

Important to remember:  

• If you are transferred by your employer beyond the United States’ territorial limits, you and your dependents will be considered Ohio residents provided your domicile remains in Ohio and you have fulfilled your tax obligations to the state for at least one tax year before your dependent’s enrollment

Think you may qualify? Use the E-4, E-5, E-6, and E-7 Exceptions form to apply and submit the following:

• If the student is dependent, copies of the following will be required:
  • A statement on employer’s letterhead indicating the employee (parent/legal guardian) was an Ohio resident at the time of transfer
  • Parent/legal guardian/spouse’s most recent IRS Tax Return Transcript; visit the IRS website to learn the four ways you can request this document
• If the student is an independent student, copies of the following will be required:
  • A statement on employer’s letterhead indicating the student was an Ohio resident at the time of transfer
  • Student’s most recent IRS Tax Return Transcript; visit the IRS website to learn the four ways you can request this document
  • Student’s most recent state income tax transcript, redacting all social security numbers

E-5

Migrant Workers (worked in Ohio at least four months during each of the three years preceding enrollment)

ODHE Guideline

Things to remember:  

• As a temporary classification, the student must request residency be reviewed every semester
• Supporting documents are usually secured through the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services

Think you may qualify? Use the E-4, E-5, E-6, and E-7 Exceptions form to apply and submit the following:

• If the student is a dependent, copies of the following will be required:
  • A letter from the employer verifying that parent/legal guardian/spouse worked in Ohio at least four months during each of the previous three years or a certificate of eligibility from Ohio Migrant Education Center that certifies dates of employment or dependence of a letter from Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services Office
  • Parent/legal guardian/spouse’s most recent IRS Tax Return Transcript; visit the IRS website to learn the four ways you can request this document
• If the student is an independent student:
  • A letter from employer verifying that the student worked in Ohio at least four months during each of the previous three years or a certificate of eligibility from Ohio Migrant Education Center that certifies dates of employment or dependence of a letter from Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services Office.
  • Student’s most recent IRS Tax Return Transcript; visit the IRS website to learn the four ways you can request this document

E-6

Service Positions (for Ohio residents who left the state for community service)

ODHE Guideline

Things to remember: 

• As a temporary classification, the student must request residency be reviewed every semester  
• This exception does not apply to students who leave the state of Ohio for a community service position but obtains other employment outside of Ohio once the position has ended
• Community service position shall not exceed a period of 24-consecutive months
• Returning students (previously enrolled at Miami University) must have lived in Ohio for 12-consecutive months before applying

Think you may qualify? Use the E-4, E-5, E-6, and E-7 Exceptions form to apply and submit the following:

• If the student is a dependent or spouse, copies of the following will be required:
  • Letter from the community service organization verifying the parent/legal guardian/spouse’s start and end dates in the program
  • Current signed lease, rental agreement, or settlement statement (given at closing during the purchasing of a home) establishing the parent/legal guardian/spouse and student is residing in Ohio
  • Parent/legal guardian/spouse’s most recent IRS Tax Return Transcript; visit the IRS website to learn the four ways you can request this document
  • Parent/legal guardian/spouse’s most recent IRS Tax Return Transcript from before entering the communication service organization; visit the IRS website to learn the four ways you can request this document
• If the student is an independent, copies of the following will be required:
  • Letter from the community service organization verifying the start and end dates in the program
  • Current signed lease, rental agreement, or settlement statement (given at closing during the purchasing of a home) establishing the parent/legal guardian/spouse and student is residing in Ohio
  • Student’s most recent IRS Tax Return Transcript; visit the IRS website to learn the four ways you can request this document
  • Student’s most recent IRS Tax Return Transcript from before entering the communication service organization; visit the IRS website to learn the four ways you can request this document

E-7

Marital Hardship (returning to the State of Ohio for marital hardship)

ODHE Guideline

Things to remember: 

• Student must demonstrate financial dependency upon a parent/legal guardian (receiving greater than fifty percent of his or her support from the parent/legal guardian)
• This exception is not for students that can show financial self-sufficiency
• Returning students (previously enrolled at Miami University) must have lived in Ohio for 12-consecutive months before applying

Think you may qualify? Use the E-4, E-5, E-6, and E-7 Exceptions form to apply and submit the following:

• Court papers verifying that legal action to end the marriage has been taken
• Sworn affidavit from the person who is now supporting the student to include the amount and type of financial support provided by the parent/legal guardian, the number of years the parent/legal guardian has lived in Ohio, the number of years the parent/legal guardian has paid taxes in Ohio, and the date the student began living with the parent/legal guardian.
• Signed lease, rental agreement or settlement state (given at closing during the purchasing of a home) for the preceding 12 months of Ohio residential history of the qualifying parent/legal guardian
• Parent/legal guardian/spouse’s most recent IRS Tax Return Transcript; visit the IRS website to learn the four ways you can request this document
• Parent/legal guardian/spouse’s most recent IRS Tax Return Transcript from before entering the communication service organization; visit the IRS website to learn the four ways you can request this document

C-4

Ohio GI Promise (veterans, spouses and dependents)

ODHE Guideline

Important to remember:

• If the veteran seeks residency, the veteran must have established domicile in the state as of the first day of the term of enrollment
• If the spouse or a dependent of the veteran seeks residency, the veteran and the spouse/dependent child seeking residency must have established domicile in this state as of the first day of the term of enrollment

Think you may qualify? Use the C-4 GI Promise Classification form to apply and submit the following:

If the student is a dependent or spouse of a veteran, copies of the following will be required:

• Veteran’s Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (i.e. DD Form 214) issued by the U.S. Department of Defense.  In cases where the veteran was KIA, MIA, or POW, provide a copy of the DD-1300 Report of Casualty Form.
• Current signed lease, rental agreement, or settlement statement (given at closing during the purchasing of a home) establishing that both the veteran and student/spouse is residing in Ohio by the first day of the term
• Veteran’s most recent IRS Tax Return Transcript; visit the IRS website to learn the four ways you can request this document
• Marriage certificate (if applicable)

If the student is a veteran copies of the following will be required:

• Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (i.e. DD Form 214) issued by the U.S. Department of Defense
• Current signed lease, rental agreement, settlement statement (given at closing during the purchasing of a home) or dorm agreement establishing the student is residing in Ohio by the first day of the term

C-5

Chapter 30 or Chapter 33 Recipients (veterans receiving benefits under the “All Volunteer Force Educational Assistance Program” or “Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Program”)

ODHE Guideline

Things to remember:

• As a temporary classification, you must request your residency to be reviewed every semester
• As a recipient of Chapter 30 or 33 benefits, the student must submit a request to use a VA Benefit form. Visit the VA Education Benefits Request Form page for additional information.

Think you may qualify? Use the C-5 and C-6 Classifications form to apply and submit the following:

• Veteran’s Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (i.e. DD Form 214) issued by the U.S. Department of Defense
• Veteran must provided the Certificate of Eligibility (benefits)
• Current signed lease, rental agreement, settlement statement (given at closing during the purchasing of a home) or dorm agreement establishing the student is residing in Ohio by the first day of the term

C-6

Sergeant John David Frye Recipients (recipients of the “Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry” scholarship or recipient of transferred federal veterans’ benefits)

ODHE Guideline

Things to remember

• As a temporary classification, you must request your residency to be reviewed every semester
• As a recipient of Chapter 30 or 33 benefits, the student must submit a request to use a VA Benefit form. Visit the VA Education Benefits Request Form page for additional information.

Think you may qualify? Use the C-5 and C-6 Classifications form to apply and submit the following:

• Verification of awarding/receipt of scholarship (if applicable)
• Veteran must provided the Certificate of Eligibility (benefits)
• Current signed lease, rental agreement, settlement statement (given at closing during the purchasing of a home) or dorm agreement establishing the student is residing in Ohio by the first day of the term

C-7

A person who is using federal veterans’ educational assistance under the “Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment,” or under “Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance.”

ODHE Guideline

Things to remember

• As a temporary classification, you must request your residency to be reviewed every semester
• The student must submit a request to use a VA Benefit form. Visit the VA Education Benefits Request Form page for additional information.

Think you may qualify? Use the C-7 Classification form to apply and submit the following:

• Copy of VA Form 28-1905
• Current signed lease, rental agreement, settlement statement (given at closing during the purchasing of a home) or dorm agreement establishing the student is residing in Ohio by the first day of the term

C-10

A service member who is on active duty and to the service member's spouse and any dependent of the service member while the service member is on active duty. In order to qualify under this paragraph, the student seeking in-state tuition rates must live in the state as of the first day of a term of enrollment in the state institution of higher education, but the student or the service member shall not be required, to establish domicile in this state as of the first day of a term of enrollment in an institution of higher education.

ODHE Guideline

Things to remember

• As a temporary classification, you must request your residency to be reviewed every semester

Think you may qualify? Use the C-10 Classification form to apply and submit the following:

• Current signed lease, rental agreement, settlement statement (given at closing during the purchasing of a home) or dorm agreement establishing the student is residing in Ohio by the first day of the term.
• Active duty service member’s most recent IRS Tax Return Transcript; visit the IRS website to learn the four ways you can request this document
• Proof of Enlistment/Active Duty
• Marriage license if applicable 

E-2

Ohio Home of Record (currently on active duty status in the U.S. military while a resident of Ohio for all legal purposes (or dependent child of such person)).

ODHE Guideline

Important to remember:

• This classification is for active duty not stationed in Ohio but who are residents of Ohio
• Returning students (previously enrolled at Miami University) must have lived in Ohio for 12-consecutive months before applying

Think you may qualify? Use the E-2, E-3, and E-8 Exceptions form to apply and submit the following:

• If the student is a dependent of a service member:
  • Verification of the service member’s Ohio Home of Record (acceptable documents include enlistment papers, a State of Legal Residency Form dated at least 12 months prior to intended enrollment, or a letter from base personnel officer verifying home of record)
  • Service member’s most recent IRS Tax Return Transcript; visit the IRS website to learn the four ways you can request this document
  • Service member’s most recent Ohio state income tax transcript, redacting all social security numbers (if applicable) 
• If the student is the service member:
  • Verification of the Ohio of Record (acceptable documents include enlistment papers, a State of Legal Residency Form dated at least 12 months prior to intended enrollment, or a letter from the base personnel officer verifying home of record
  • Student’s most recent Ohio state income tax transcript, redacting all social security numbers (if applicable) 

E-3

Stationed in Ohio (on active duty status in the U.S. military and both stationed and residing in Ohio (or dependent child of such person))

ODHE Guideline

Important to remember:

• This exception is for those who are stationed in Ohio and not from the state of Ohio
• Returning students (previously enrolled at Miami University) must have lived in Ohio for 12-consecutive months before applying

Think you may qualify? Use the E-2, E-3, and E-8 Exceptions form to apply and submit the following:

• If the student is a dependent of a service member, copies of the following will be required:
  • Service member’s current military order for Ohio
  • Service member’s most recent IRS Tax Return Transcript; visit the IRS website to learn the four ways you can request this document
  • Current signed lease, rental agreement, settlement statement (given at closing during the purchasing of a home) establishing the student is residing in Ohio
• If the student is the service member, copies of the following will be required:
  • Student’s current military order for Ohio
  • Student’s current signed lease, rental agreement, settlement statement (given at closing during the purchasing of a home) or dorm agreement establishing the student is residing in Ohio

E-8

Ohio National Guard (for current members of the Ohio National Guard, or the spouse or dependent child of a current member of the Ohio National Guard) 

ODHE Guideline

Important to remember:

• This exception is applicable only to the Ohio National Guard

Think you may qualify? Use the E-2, E-3, and E-8 Exceptions form to apply and submit the following:

• If the student is a dependent or spouse of a service member, copies of the following will be required:
  • Service member’s enlistment papers or an official letter from the personnel officer verifying enlistment
  • Service member’s most recent IRS Tax Return Transcript; visit the IRS website to learn the four ways you can request this document
  • Marriage certificate (if applicable)
• If the student is the service member:
  • Service member’s enlistment papers or an official letter from the base personnel officer verifying enlistment

C-8

Forever Buckeye (student who graduated from an Ohio public high school or completed the final year of instruction at home as authorized under section 3321.04 and are residing in Ohio)

ODHE Guideline

Important to remember:  

• GED recipients are not eligible to apply

Think you may qualify? Use the C-8 Classification form to apply and submit the following:

• Ohio high school return or verification of student’s graduation on high school letterhead (may be waived if provided at time of admission)
• Current signed lease, rental agreement or settlement statement (given at closing during the purchasing of a home) establishing the student is residing in Ohio
• Current immigration or visa status of student (if applicable)

F-4

Any person once classified as a nonresident, upon the completion of twelve consecutive months of residency, must apply to the institution he or she attends for reclassification as a resident of Ohio for these purposes if such person in fact wants to be reclassified as a resident. Should such person present clear and convincing proof that no part of his or her financial support is or in the preceding twelve consecutive months has been provided directly or indirectly by persons or entities who are not residents of Ohio for all other legal purposes, such person shall be reclassified as a resident.

ODHE Guideline

Important to remember:  

• Returning students (previously enrolled at Miami University) must have lived in Ohio for 12-consecutive months before applying
• This does not apply to students in the state of Ohio for educational purposes only

Think you may qualify? Complete the application form to apply and submit the following:

• If the student is a dependent or spouse, copies of the following will be required:
  • Currently signed lease, rental agreement, or settlement statement (given at closing during the purchasing of a home) that account for the last 12-consecutive months prior to student’s enrollment
  • Unaltered statements of financial accounts that document the last 12 months of deposits and withdrawals
  • Proof of financial resources for the past 12 months (e.g. pay stubs showing Ohio tax withheld, unemployment benefits, state benefits, investments)
  • Parent/legal guardian/spouse’s most recent IRS Tax Return Transcript; visit the IRS website to learn the four ways you can request this document
  • Parent/legal guardian/spouse’s most recent Ohio state income tax return, redacting all social security numbers
  • Parent/legal guardian/spouse’s Ohio driver’s license or State ID
• If the student is a independent, copies of the following will be required:
  • Currently signed lease, rental agreement, or settlement statement (given at closing during the purchasing of a home) that account for the last 12-consecutive months prior to student’s enrollment
  • Unaltered statements of financial accounts that document the last 12 months of deposits and withdrawals
  • Proof of financial resources for the past 12 months (e.g. pay stubs showing Ohio tax withheld, unemployment benefits, state benefits, investments)
  • Student’s most recent IRS Tax Return Transcript; visit the IRS website to learn the four ways you can request this document
  • Student’s most recent Ohio state income tax return, redacting all social security numbers
  • Student’s Ohio driver’s license or State ID

No. The state guidelines prohibit retroactive residency decisions.

No. Any student who has been classified as a non-resident must apply for reclassification as a resident.

A dependent student is one who was claimed by at least one parent or legal guardian as a dependent on that person’s Internal Revenue Service tax filing for the previous tax year.

No. The parent/legal guardian must have resided in Ohio for 12 consecutive months before the first day of the term.

As long as a dependent student has one parent who has been an Ohio resident for at least 12 months immediately preceding enrollment and is claimed as a dependent on that parent’s federal tax transcript, the student may apply for a residency review.

If you are receiving financial assistance, your aid will be reviewed. Adjustments to your merit scholarship may occur as a result of being reclassified as an in-state student for tuition purposes.

The state residency guidelines have “grandfather clauses” to address this. If your parent(s) are Ohio residents and move out of the state while you are enrolled at Miami, you will continue to be classified as a resident through completion of one degree program provided you maintain continuous full-time enrollment.

No. A student cannot qualify for residency through other relatives, fiancées, in-laws, etc.

Not necessarily. If the student is trying to establish residency in Ohio, paying taxes in Ohio is an indicator of the intent to become an Ohio resident. However, the student must meet all the criteria to be eligible for residency.

The state guidelines do not grant residency to individuals or their dependents solely on the basis that they own property or a business in Ohio.

The expectation is that students who are in the process of establishing their residency are physically living in the state of Ohio for the 12-consecutive months before the semester for which they are requesting reclassification. Leaving the state for the summer or for any length of time longer than a three-week period could seriously jeopardize the student’s claim to Ohio residency for tuition purposes. Students who leave Ohio for internships, study abroad, etc. during their residency review period for any period longer than three weeks must also maintain their residence in Ohio.

No. To be eligible for immediate residency, a student must be dependent upon a spouse or parents who has full-time employment in Ohio. A graduate fellowship or assistantship is not considered full-time employment.

Yes. Loans and/or gifts in excess of nominal amounts from parents or other individuals, regardless of the terms, are considered financial assistance and as such could be a disqualifying factor in the review.

Any state’s 529 plan is only applicable to a student’s financial independence only if it can be documented that all funds associated with the plan were transferred legally into the student’s sole possession and sole control more than 24 months before the student uses the funds. In addition, there should be no evidence of large deposits into the account within the past 24 months. The student should have sole control of the fund and should not be receiving any financial assistance from an out-of-state family member within the past two years.

Tax filers can request a Tax Return Transcript, free of charge, from the IRS. Note the 1040 form does not satisfy the requirement to prove residency. IRS regulations limit a tax filer to one request per year. We strongly advise you to send us a copy so you may keep your original. Miami is unable to return the transcript to you.

You can view transcripts of any Ohio tax return for the current tax year and the past 10 tax years. Log into the Ohio Department of Taxation’s Online Services and click the “View Transcript” button beside the tax return you wish to view. Visit its FAQ section for more information.

Yes. If you are a male between the ages of 18 and 25, you are required to register with the Selective Service to be charged in-state tuition in accordance with the Ohio Revised Code. Learn more at our Selective Service Registration page.