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Residency Requirements

Holmes Community College follows guidelines set forth by the Mississippi Community College Board to classify students as Mississippi residents or out of state students based upon applications and documents on file in Admissions. Students who are classified as out of state students will be charged out of state fees. Students who wish to prove Mississippi residency by providing approved residency documentation must do so by deadlines set forth by the Admissions and Records Department in order for out of state fees to be removed. If a returning student has a break in enrollment with Holmes Community College, updated residency documents will be required. Acceptable documentation and deadlines can be found below.

In cases where residency documentation is required, two forms of supporting documentation must be in the student’s admissions record by the deadlines stated below.

If you were born outside the United States, graduated from a high school outside Mississippi, attended a college outside Mississippi, report an out-of-state address, or your high school or college transcript includes out of state coursework, you will be charged out of state fees unless you are eligible to prove Mississippi residency. This applies to all students (including Dual Enrolled/Dual Credit and Early College students).

  • Green card holders are eligible for in-state tuition (must provide a copy of green card along with approved documentation below). If the Green Card/Permanent Resident Card expires during the student’s enrollment period, a current replacement will be required. Green card holders under the age of 21 must provide a copy of their green card along with a parent’s green card and approved documentation below.
  • Visa holders are not eligible for in-state tuition (Holmes accepts H-4 and R-2 visa holders only)
  • If 21 years of age and older, provide two forms of approved documentation.
  • If under 21 years of age, residency is determined by the parental/guardian residence.
    • Provide two forms of approved documentation for the same parent.
    • The student may be asked to provide a copy of the birth certificate that shows the parent and student name.
    • The student must provide guardianship documents issued by a MS court or the MS Dept of Human Services if claiming the residency status of a legal guardian.
    • Independent students must provide two forms of approved documentation indicating residency, and provide documentation proving their independence from parents or guardian.
      • a marriage license serves as an emancipation document
      • emancipation documents issued by the courts

If a student has a break in enrollment with Holmes Community College, updated residency documents are required.

List of Approved Residency Documents

Documents submitted as proof of MS residency must be current/issued prior to the start of classes.  In cases where residency documentation is required, at least two forms of supporting documentation must be provided showing the name and address of the student, parent, and/or spouse proving residency. Documents must include original information listed and should not be edited or redacted. Acceptance of residency documents is subject to review by the Admissions and Records department based on audit requirements.

Acceptable supporting documentation may include:

  1. Current Mississippi Driver’s License or State issued ID
  2. Homestead exemption (must match address on admissions application)
  3. Prior or Prior-prior year Mississippi income tax return (federal income tax returns will not be accepted)
  4. Mississippi voter registration card
  5. Current motor vehicle registration
  6. Current employment documents (last pay stub, currently enforced employment contract)
  7. Current utility bills (must include entire bill and service address – includes cell phones; must match address on admissions application)
    • Electric bill
    • Water bill
    • Gas bill
    • Land-line phone/internet/cable/satellite bill with service address
  8. Lease agreement (signed by lessor and lessee)
  9. Signed statement by the MS Dept. of Human Services or a certified letter from recognized relief agency (such as the Salvation Army) certifying that the student is receiving services as a homeless Mississippi resident.

Residency Documentation Deadlines

At least two of the above items must be provided to the Admissions and Records Office by the following deadlines to avoid out-of-state fees:

  • The deadline to clarify residency and have your out of state fees removed for full-term courses taken during the fall or spring term is 10 calendar days after final exams end.
  • The deadline to clarify residency and have your out of state fees removed for courses taken during the summer term or for short-term courses taken during any semester is 7 calendar days after final exams end. 

Acceptance of residency documents is subject to review by the Admissions and Records department based on audit requirements.

For more information or to submit documents, please contact:

Goodman Campus: 662-472-9020 Grenada Campus: 662-227-2328

Ridgeland Campus A-K: 601-605-3308 Ridgeland Campus L-Z: 601-605-3309