Navigating Residency Requirements at Westchester Community College

Westchester Community College (SUNY WCC) offers a wide array of academic opportunities with more than 65 different degree and certificate programs. Understanding the requirements for residency is crucial for prospective students, especially those seeking to benefit from resident tuition rates. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the Certificate of Residency requirements at Westchester Community College.

General Admission Requirements

Before delving into the specifics of residency, it's important to understand the general admission requirements at Westchester Community College. Prospective students are encouraged to attend an Information Session hosted by an admissions counselor. All students are encouraged to apply online. Students applying online must pay the $50 non-refundable application fee with a credit card. Students using the paper application must submit the application with the $50 non-refundable application fee (check or money order) to the Office of Admissions located in the Administration Building Room 210.

All applicants must have their high school send an official transcript to the Office of Admissions located in the Administration Building Room 210. Current high school students must submit an official final transcript with date of graduation or bring their original diploma to the college upon graduation as well. Applicants who have attended a prior college must have an official college transcript sent to the Transfer Credit Evaluator in the Registrar’s Office located in the Administration Building Room 107. Placement testing is required of all new full-time students. The results are used by Academic Counselors to place you into appropriate courses.

New York State Public Health laws require all students, regardless of age, enrolling in 6 or more credits must be in compliance with the NYS Meningitis Law and all students enrolling in 6 or more credits who were born on or after January 1, 1957 must provide proof of immunity for measles, mumps and rubella.

Understanding the Certificate of Residency

A Certificate of Residence is a document that allows New York State residents who live outside of Westchester County to pay the resident tuition rate at Westchester Community College. The resident rates are significantly lower, so obtaining a Certificate of Residence can lead to substantial savings.

Read also: Explore The College of Westchester

Eligibility for a Certificate of Residence

To be eligible for a Certificate of Residence, students must meet specific criteria:

New York State Residency: Students must have lived in New York State for at least one year.
Residency Outside Westchester County: Students must reside in a New York State county other than Westchester County for at least six months.

How to Obtain a Certificate of Residence

Application: Students must complete an Application for Certificate of Residency form. Students may utilize this certificate of residence application form to obtain a certificate of residence from your home county.
Notarization: The application must be notarized.
Authorization: The Chief Fiscal Officer of the student's home county must authorize the certificate. Students are urged to confirm procedure with the office of their Chief Fiscal Officer of their home County.
Submission: The authorized certificate must be submitted to the College’s Bursar’s Office. Students who have lived in New York State for one year, but do not or have not lived in Westchester County for six months, must present a Certificate of Residence from their county of legal residence to the Bursar’s Office located on the 1st floor of the Administration Building.

Deadlines and Validity

It is crucial to adhere to the deadlines for submitting the Certificate of Residence:

Submission Deadline: You must obtain the certificate of residence from your home county no later than 30 days after the first day of classes at your college.
Validity Period: A signed Certificate is valid for only one year from the date of issue. Please check with the Chief Fiscal Officer of your home county concerning the issue date. Certificates should be maximum dated 60 days prior to their classes start or within 30 days after session started. St.

New York City Residents

New York City Counties issue renewal certificates based upon the date of the prior certificate expiring. Those students whose expiration date is beyond January 2nd may complete a Westchester Community County New York City COR Agreement and pay the resident rates. This form and payment must be completed in the Bursar’s Office by 4pm on January 4. Completing this process will provide you a temporary extension on resident rates.

Special Circumstances

Immigration Status: If the student is without lawful immigration status, the student submits to the campus a notarized affidavit stating that the student has filed an application to legalize his or her immigration status or will file such an application as soon as he or she is eligible to do so. (See NYS Education Law §355(h) (8)). Such affidavit shall be viewed by the appropriate campus official, and either destroyed or returned to the student. The appropriate campus official making the residency determination shall fill out a form indicating that the student has provided all the appropriate information to the campus if the student is then eligible for in-state tuition.

Financial Implications and Tuition Payment

Understanding tuition costs and payment options is essential for students at Westchester Community College. SUNY WCC is the most affordable college in the county, offering reasonable tuition and millions in financial aid and scholarships. No matter your household income, your dreams are too important to let money hold you back. Each year, we award more than $2 million in scholarships, including some that cover full tuition. Plus, most require no separate application, making for a streamlined process.

Tuition and Fees

While anyone can attend our classes, note that New York State residents who are not residents of Westchester County will be charged non-resident tuition and fee rates. New York State residents of counties other than Westchester must obtain a Certificate of Residence from the Chief Fiscal Officer of their home county and submit it at the time of registration or pay the non-resident tuition rate.

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Payment Options

Once you have registered for your courses, you must pay your tuition and fees. You can pay online by going to the MyWCC student portal or at the Bursar’s Office located on the 1st floor of the Administration Building. For more information regarding payment, please contact the Bursar’s Office at 914-606-6992. Payment is required by the due dates for each semester. To see the due dates, please click on the Payment Due and Drop Dates below. To avoid classes being dropped, please be sure that your account is completely covered by either payment, financial aid (awards/loans must be anticipated/pending), or third party credit/company billing. Beginning with the first day of the semester (which depends on campus or extension site), students who fail to complete the terms of their arrangements to cover their full account, may be deleted from their classes and will be responsible for the charges incurred according to the refund schedule. If you do not plan on attending Westchester Community College you must drop your classes prior to the first day of the semester in which you are registered.

The College accepts cash, checks and credit card payments. Checks and money orders should be made payable to Westchester Community College. Credit card payments (VISA, MasterCard, or Discover) can be made online through the MyWCC portal or in-person (cardholder must be present).

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Financial aid applications are available through the Financial Aid Office. Apply for financial aid early. If you plan to use financial aid (Federal Pell/Direct Loans, New York State TAP, etc.) you must file a FAFSA. All requested documents must be submitted to the Financial Aid Office to determine your eligibility for a financial aid award. The entire awarding process must be completed for the financial aid to count towards your bill. Any Federal Aid (i.e. PELL, SEOG, Direct Loans, etc.) that is NOT used to cover tuition, fees, and books, will be refunded to the student each semester. However, Financial Aid Refunds require that attendance has been reported. If attendance has not been submitted, the Office of Student Financial Assistance cannot disburse your aid. Postal Service. Please be patient, as delivery can take time.

Payment Plans and Deferrals

Can’t pay your tuition all at once? Why not enroll in the Payment Plan. Establish your payment plan based upon your anticipated tuition & fee costs and your anticipated financial aid (grants. $50 Enrollment Fee per *semester. In order to be eligible for participation in the tuition payment plan, a student must have a minimum balance after other credits of $750.00 in tuition/fees due the College. Tuition payments will be due in five equal installments through the on-line payment system. A non-refundable $50.00 payment plan enrollment fee will be required and must be paid prior to enrollment into the payment plan. Click here for steps on how to enroll in the Payment Plan. If you register after the first payment plan due date, you MUST pay both the first, second and third payment plan installments, on or before the next payment plan due date. Failure to make the first three payments by their due dates will result in your classes being deleted on the drop dates. If you fail to make the fourth and fifth installment payments by the due date, your classes will not be deleted, but you will be responsible for all amounts due, including late fees.

Appeals and Exceptions

If a SUNY community college student is denied a certificate of residence from their home county, such student may appeal to SUNY System Administration for reversal. Such appeal communication should contain the student’s contact information and details about the denial from the county. Pleasenote that denials can only be reversed if either the county or the college made an error or did not follow relevant legal requirements. Simply not submitting your application within the deadline is not an adequate reason to appeal.

Read also: About Grossmont Community College

Additional Information for Students

Immunization Requirements

Students born on or after January 1, 1957 who wish to register for more than 5 credits in any single semester are required to show proof of immunization before registering. Proof of immunizations for Westchester Community College is required only once. New York State Public Health laws require all students, regardless of age, enrolling in 6 or more credits must be in compliance with the NYS Meningitis Law and all students enrolling in 6 or more credits who were born on or after January 1, 1957 must provide proof of immunity for measles, mumps and rubella.

Non-Matriculated and Summer Visiting Students

Click here to apply online or download the admissions paper application for Non-Matriculated and/or Summer Visiting Student Status. “Check this box if you do not wish to pursue a degree or certificate at this time or if you are applying as a Summer Visiting Student. Understand that this categorizes you as non-matriculated, which makes you ineligible for financial aid. Students applying online must pay the $50 non-refundable application fee with a credit card. All prerequisites must be met before a student can take a course. Visiting, non-matriculated students who completed a required prerequisite with a grade of C or better at another college may submit an official college transcript to the Registrar’s Office OR may show an unofficial college transcript at the time of registration. To register in-person for a course requiring a prerequisite, visiting/non-matriculated students should bring their unofficial college transcript showing the prerequisite (or a copy of the appropriate ACT/SAT score, as required) to the Registrar’s Office in the Administration Building Rm. The copy must include the student’s name.

Academic Advisement and Registration

After you have completed the testing requirements (or been waived) and submitted health records, you will be ready to meet with an Academic Counselor for advisement and registration in the Center for Academic Counseling and Student Success located in the Student Center Building. Once you have registered for your courses, you must pay your tuition and fees.

Bursar Assistance

Go to Get Bursar Assistance to speak with a Bursar representative about your Student Bill . According to Federal FERPA regulations, student accounts can only be discussed with the student, or with a representative the student authorizes.

1098-T Form

If you do not want to receive a paper copy of your IRS 1098-T form because you prefer to view the information electronically you may sign up at MyWCC.edu. Self-service; Student Center; Finances drop down; Account Services; View 1098-T; Grant Consent and select the “Yes” indicator and Submit. If you haven’t provided the College your Federal Tax Identification Number (Social Security Number or iTIN) an IRS Tax Form 1098-T will not be generated.

Fees

$25.00 (plus Activity. Lab Fee for American Heart Association Cert. *Applies only to students in Dietetic Technology, Early Childhood Education, Human Services, Liberal Arts & Sciences/Childhood Education, Nursing, Radiologic Technology, Veterinary Technology and Respiratory Care. All students taking Hematology must pay a one-time malpractice fee. The fee is for the academic year (September- August) or any part thereof.

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