Admissions

Citizenship - Tuition Assessment / Prop 300

Proposition 300
Cochise College’s registration procedure for credit classes complies with requirements of Proposition 300, a referendum approved by Arizona voters in November 2006, which provides that college students who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents, or who do not have lawful immigration status, are not eligible for in-state tuition status or financial aid that is funded or subsidized by state monies.

You are NOT affected by Proposition 300 if you (a) do not receive in-state tuition status and (b) do not receive financial aid funded by state monies (Arizona).
You ARE affected by Proposition 300 if you (a) receive in-state tuition status or (b) receive financial aid that is supported by state monies (Arizona).

Proposition 300 does not prevent an eligible student from being admitted to our college. However, it will determine a student’s in-state tuition and financial aid, both paid in whole or part by the state. Arizona state law(A.R.S. 15-1802) requires that those who do not show proof of US citizenship or lawful immigration status are to pay out-of-state tuition. Students not verified as in-state under prop 300 pay out-of-state tuition rates.

Demonstrating In-state Tuition Eligibility

All students must provide documentation of citizenship or legal resident status, along with proof that they have established residency in Arizona 365 days prior to the semester start (see In-State Tuition Eligibility Requirements below), to be eligible for in-state tuition. Documents can be submitted via mail, emailing adm@cochise.edu, or going to the nearest campus or center.

Documents can be submitted via mail, emailing adm@cochise.edu, or going to the nearest campus or center.

Mail:
Cochise College
Records and Registration
901 North Colombo Avenue
Sierra Vista, Arizona 85635-2317

Acceptable Forms of Documentation
The Legislature and the Federal Government have designated several forms of documentation that the college will accept as evidence of citizenship, permanent residence or lawful presence. The college will keep a copy on file and record that fact in the student record system. The college will accept legible color copies of any of the following documents with no evidence of tampering:

Arizona driver’s license, permit, or non-operator ID issued after October 1, 1996
Driver’s license, permit, or non-operator ID issued by another US state that verifies lawful presence. Must be dated after 2000 and prior to 2015.

States for which licenses are not acceptable are Maryland, New Mexico, North Carolina, Utah, and Washington.

US passport, current or expired
US certificate of naturalization (N-550 or N-570) OR US certificate of citizenship (N-560 or N-561)
BIA or tribal identification card OR tribal or BIA affidavit of birth
Tribal certificate of Indian blood (with photo ID)
Foreign passport with US visa
USCIS I-94 or I-94A form (arrival/departure record)
Resident alien card
US military DD-214 OR US military ID card (active duty, reserve or retired)
Affidavit of identification (with photo and within 15 days of issue) from AZ Department of Corrections
Released offender identification from Arizona Department of Corrections
US permanent resident or resident alien card (Form I-551) OR US alien registration receipt card (Form I-151)
US machine-readable immigrant visa in foreign passport (within one year after date of endorsement)
US travel document (mint green cover) endorsed: “permit to re-enter Form I-327” OR “refugee travel document Form I-571”
US Notice of Action extending immigrant status (Form I-797)
US temporary resident card (Form I-688)
US notice of approval to apply for permanent residents (Form I-171 or I-464)
Other documentation issued by US Citizenship and Immigration Services or representing a status permitted under 8 US Code § § 1621 and 1641
Form FS-240 (Consular Report of Birth Abroad), FS-545 (Certificate of Birth issued by a Foreign Service post), or DS-1350 (Certification of Report of Birth). These are State Department documents.
Official birth certificate with seal showing that you were born in the United States, which includes Puerto Rico, Guam, the US Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Swain’s Island, or the Northern Mariana Islands, unless you were born to foreign diplomats residing in the U.S.

Non-Citizenship - Tuition Assessment/Prop 308

Prop 308 qualifies non-citizens (*with exceptions as defined by law) for in-state resident tuition if the student has a) attended an Arizona public or private high school, or homeschool for a minimum of two years; and b) graduated from an Arizona public or private high school, or homeschool equivalent, or obtained an Arizona high school equivalency diploma; i.e. a general equivalency diploma (GED)

*Noncitizens described under 8 U.S. C. § 1101(a)(15) (website) are not eligible for in-state tuition under Prop 308. This includes, but is not limited to, students who hold F1, F2, J1, H4 or H1 visas.

In addition to valid identification and non-citizen verification status, students will need to provide an official Arizona high school transcript or homeschool equivalency showing attendance for two years and graduation. If a student has earned a GED, the student will need to provide an Arizona high school transcript verifying two years of attendance and a GED transcript.

High schools, including charters and online entities, need to be recognized/certified by the Arizona Department of Education to qualify.

Official high school transcripts must be sent directly from the high school to the college. They can be emailed to adm@cochise.edu or mailed from the high school to the address below.
Please visit the AZED.gov Transcript Request (website) to find instructions on how to request Official Arizona High School Equivalency (HSE) Diploma/GED transcripts. Transcripts must be sent directly from the Arizona Department of Education to Cochise College. They can be emailed to adm@cochise.edu or mailed to the address below.

Mail: Cochise College
Admissions & Registration
901 North Colombo Avenue
Sierra Vista, Arizona 85635-2317

NOTE: Students who meet the requirements of Prop. 308 are eligible for in-state tuition for any semester that starts AFTER Dec. 13, 2022. Prop. 308 does NOT have a retroactive effect – students will not be reclassified for semesters that began prior to Dec. 13, 2022

In-State Tuition Eligibility Requirements

Residency for tuition is determined in accordance with state law (ARS §§15-1802et seq.) and regulations of the Cochise College Governing Board. Cochise College is subject to statutes and regulations.

It is up to the student to establish residency, citizenship status and/or lawful status prior to registration. Proof of residency and citizenship documentation must be provided prior to the start of the term in which residency classification is being requested. Any student who is found to be classified improperly shall be required to pay full tuition, or be subject to dismissal from the college. In doubtful cases, a certified statement or documentation of the facts may be required.

The residency verification may be considered complete if the item(s) provided for fulfillment of Prop 300 is an Arizona driver’s license or ID that has an issue date of more than one year prior to the start of the term in which residency classification is being requested. If the Arizona driver’s license or ID does not have an issue date of a year or more; in order to be considered an Arizona resident for college tuition purposes, you must meet one of the following.

ASRS 15-1802. In-state student status

A. Except as otherwise provided in this article, a person having a domicile elsewhere than in this state is not eligible for classification as an in-state student for tuition purposes.

B. A person is not entitled to classification as an in-state student until the person is domiciled in this state for one year, except that a person whose domicile is in this state is entitled to classification as an in-state student if the person meets one of the following requirements:
1. The domicile of the person's parent is in this state and the parent is entitled to claim the person as an exemption for state and federal tax purposes.
2. The person is an employee of an employer that transferred the person to this state for employment purposes or the person is the spouse of such an employee.
3. The person is an employee of a school district in this state and is under contract to teach on a full-time basis or is employed as a full-time noncertified classroom aide at a school within that school district. For the purposes of this paragraph, the person is eligible for classification as an in-state student only for courses necessary to complete the requirements for certification by the state board of education to teach in a school district in this state. A member of the person's family is not eligible for classification as an in-state student if the person is eligible for classification as an in-state student pursuant to this paragraph, unless the family member is otherwise eligible for classification as an in-state student pursuant to this section.
4. The person's spouse has established domicile in this state for at least one year, has demonstrated intent and financial independence and is entitled to claim the student as an exemption for state and federal tax purposes or the person's spouse was temporarily out of state for educational purposes but maintained a domicile in this state. If the person is a noncitizen, the person must be in an eligible visa status pursuant to federal law to classify as an in-state student for tuition purposes.

C. The domicile of an unemancipated person is that of the person's parent.

D. Any unemancipated person who remains in this state when the person's parent, who had been domiciled in this state, removes from this state is entitled to classification as an in-state student until attainment of the degree for which the person is currently enrolled, as long as the person maintains continuous attendance.

E. A person who is a member of the armed forces of the United States and who is stationed in this state pursuant to military orders or who is the spouse or a dependent child as defined in section 43-1001 of a person who is a member of the armed forces of the United States and who is stationed in this state pursuant to military orders is entitled to classification as an in-state student. A spouse or a dependent child does not lose in-state student classification under this subsection if the spouse or dependent child qualifies for in-state tuition classification at the time the spouse or dependent child is accepted for admission to a community college under the jurisdiction of a community college district governing board or a university under the jurisdiction of the Arizona board of regents. The student, while in continuous attendance toward the degree for which currently enrolled, does not lose in-state student classification.

F. A person who is a member of the armed forces of the United States or the spouse or a dependent as defined in section 43-1001 of a member of the armed forces of the United States is entitled to classification as an in-state student if the member of the armed forces has claimed this state as the person's state of legal residence for at least twelve consecutive months before the member of the armed forces, the spouse or the dependent enrolls in a university under the jurisdiction of the Arizona board of regents or a community college under the jurisdiction of a community college district governing board. For the purposes of this subsection, the requirement that a person be domiciled in this state for one year before enrollment to qualify for in-state student classification does not apply.

G. A person holding an honorable discharge from the uniformed services of the United States from either active duty or reserve or national guard status, or who has retired from active duty or reserve or national guard status, shall be granted immediate classification as an in-state student and, while continuously enrolled, does not lose in-state student classification if the person has demonstrated objective evidence of intent to be a resident of Arizona that, for the purposes of this section, includes at least one of the following:
1. Registration to vote in this state.
2. An Arizona driver license.
3. Arizona motor vehicle registration.
4. Employment history in Arizona.
5. Transfer of major banking services to Arizona.
6. Change of permanent address on all pertinent records.
7. Other materials of whatever kind or source relevant to domicile or residency status.

H. A person who meets any of the requirements prescribed in subsection K of this section shall be granted immediate classification as an in-state student and does not lose in-state student classification if the person has demonstrated objective evidence of intent to be a resident of this state that, for the purposes of this section, includes at least one of the following:
1. Registration to vote in this state.
2. An Arizona driver license.
3. Arizona motor vehicle registration.
4. Employment history in Arizona.
5. Transfer of major banking services to Arizona.
6. Change of permanent address on all pertinent records.
7. Other materials of whatever kind or source relevant to domicile or residency status.

I. A person who is a member of an Indian tribe recognized by the United States department of the interior whose reservation land lies in this state and extends into another state and who is a resident of the reservation is entitled to classification as an in-state student.

J. A person who has participated in the AmeriCorps program or the volunteers in service to America program for at least one year in this state is entitled to classification as an in-state student.

K. A person who meets any of the following requirements is entitled to immediate classification as an in-state student if that person has demonstrated objective evidence of intent to be a resident of this state as prescribed in subsection H of this section:
1. The person is a veteran as defined in title 38 of the United States Code who, while using educational assistance under 38 United States Code chapter 30, 31, 33 or 35, enrolls in a university under the jurisdiction of the Arizona board of regents or a community college under the jurisdiction of a community college district governing board after the veteran's discharge from active duty service of ninety or more days.
2. The person does not meet the requirements prescribed in paragraph 3 or 4 of this subsection and, while using educational assistance under 38 United States Code chapter 30, 31, 33 or 35, enrolls in a university under the jurisdiction of the Arizona board of regents or a community college under the jurisdiction of a community college district governing board after the veteran's discharge from active duty service of ninety or more days.
3. The person, while using benefits under the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship prescribed in 38 United States Code section 3311(b)(9), enrolls in a university under the jurisdiction of the Arizona board of regents or a community college under the jurisdiction of a community college district governing board.
4. The person, while using transferred Post/911 G.I. Bill benefits pursuant to 38 United States Code section 3319 during a time in which the transferor is a member of the uniformed services serving on active duty, enrolls in a university under the jurisdiction of the Arizona board of regents or a community college under the jurisdiction of a community college district governing board.
5. The person is otherwise described in 38 United States Code section 3679(c).

For more information, go to the Cochise College Catalog under Residency Requirements and Regulations and the State Board (website).

You must initiate changing your residency status from out-of-state. Cochise College will not automatically adjust your status. If you believe you have met the qualifications for Arizona residency, below you will find a list of valid supporting documents that will be take into consideration for changing your status to in-state residency. A minimum of threes documents must be submitted, but one supporting document MUST be dated one year (365 days) prior to the last day to add course(s) for the upcoming term.

Filing of Arizona state income tax report for the previous year
Current registration of motor vehicle in Arizona
Current voter registration in Arizona
Arizona driver’s license issuance date
Recent graduation from an Arizona high school
Bank statement (checking or savings) from an Arizona banking institution
Source of support (wage earning statement)
Dependency as indicated on federal income tax declaration for dependents
Utility receipt, Property Ownership Document or Rental Agreement

Documents can be submitted via mail, emailing adm@cochise.edu, or going to the nearest campus or center.

Mail: Cochise College
Admissions & Registration
901 North Colombo Avenue
Sierra Vista, Arizona 85635-2317

Out-of-State Student Status and Tuition

Residency for tuition is determined in accordance with state law and regulations of the Cochise College Governing Board. Cochise College is subject to statutes and regulations.

A student must be a lawful citizen or legal resident of the United States and reside in the state of Arizona for one year (365 days) preceding the last day to register for courses in the respective semester to be considered an in-state student. All other students are classified as out-of-state (including F-1 nonimmigrant students). There are exceptions which are detailed above in the In-State Tuition Eligibility dropdown.

Students who have not lived here for a minimum of one year may qualify for reduced tuition. Please visit our Tuition Waivers page for more information.

It is up to the student to establish residency, citizenship status and/or lawful status prior to registration. Proof of residency and citizenship documentation must be provided prior to the start of the term in which residency classification is being requested. Any student who is found to be classified improperly shall be required to pay full tuition, or be subject to dismissal from the college. In doubtful cases, a certified statement or documentation of the facts may be required.

Please visit the Arizona legislature government page to see what qualifies as in-state residency per Arizona State Statutes.

The Arizona Board of Regents adopts guidelines applicable to all institutions that ensure uniform criteria is used in determining tuition status. If you are not a resident of Arizona, you may not register concurrently in two or more public higher education institutions in Arizona for a combined credit-hour enrollment of more than six semester hours without payment of non-resident tuition at one of those institutions.

Establishing Residency

Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS 15-1802 et seq.) and Cochise College policies determine classification for tuition purposes.

In-State Status
The law does not prevent anyone from enrolling at Cochise College. It does require that students who are not citizens or legal residents pay out-of-state tuition rates. The law further states that persons who are not citizens or legal residents are not entitled to tuition waivers, fee waivers, grants, scholarship assistance, financial aid, tuition assistance, or any type of financial assistance that is subsidized with state monies.

Each applicant shall have legal residency determined prior to the time of registration and payment of fees. It is the student’s responsibility to register under the correct residence determination. Enforcement of residency requirements and regulations are the responsibility of the Cochise College president.

Except as otherwise noted, no person having a domicile elsewhere than in this state is eligible for classification as an in-state student for tuition purposes (ARS 15-1802). A person is not entitled to classification as an in-state student until he/she is domiciled in this state for one year prior to the last date to add classes, unless he/she meets one of the following requirements: