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Certificate of Residence

Required for NYS Residents 

NYS residents are required to provide a Certificate of Residence from their home county to receive the reduced rate of tuition. This is an annual requirement - they are valid for one year from the date issued. For example, if you submit a Certificate of Residence in the fall semester, it will be valid for the fall, winter, spring, and summer terms. The following fall, you will be required to obtain and submit a new Certificate of Residence. If your bill lists a separate charge for "Certif of Residence Required", you must submit the certificate to have the charge removed.

Am I Eligible for a Certificate of Residence?

To qualify for a Certificate of Residence, you must have lived in New York State for the past 12 months. Residency is verified by the county(ies) in which you have lived for the six months prior to attending college. If you have lived in more than one state county during those six months, a Certificate of Residence will be required from each of those counties.

The legal residence of a college student is presumed to be the residence of the parent, guardian, or any other permanent residence prior to the student's enrollment. Residence is not gained or lost by attending college, and such attendance does not change a student's legal residence. However, a married student, or one who is working full-time in Herkimer County or New York State for over one year may establish his or her own residence.

Why Do You Need It?

The New York State Education Law requires that all students file proof of residence upon enrollment in a community college. A Certificate of Residence allows Herkimer College to bill your home county for part of your tuition costs. Failure to file this form will result in a higher rate of tuition being charged. Providing Herkimer College with proof of residency is an important step in your billing process. 

How Do You Get It?

Herkimer County residents need only complete an affidavit of residence, and you are required to submit proof that you are a permanent resident of Herkimer County. The affidavit of residence is available at:

 Herkimer County Affidavit of Residence

Non-Herkimer County residents obtain a Certificate of Residence from the county where the student  permanently resides. Your county will require you to submit an application for the certificate of residence and show proof that you are a permanent resident of that county. Your home county is the best source for information on obtaining your certificate.  A list of links to your home county's Certificate of Residence resources is listed below.

SUNY Approved Certificate Application for use in all counties

New York State County Resources

When Do You Get It?

The window of eligibility for issuance of a new certificate, for any particular term, is any time between (a) two months prior to the student's registration date and (b) 30 days after the start of classes. After the first 30 days of classes, most counties will no longer issue Certificates of Residence, and payment for the Certif of Residence Required charge then becomes the student’s responsibility.

Submit your Certificate of Residence to Student Accounts

Once you have received the official Certificate of Residence from your county, you must submit it to the Student Accounts Office. You may:

  • Drop it off in person at RMCC 216
  • Fax it to (315) 866-5497
  • Email it to bursar@herkimer.edu
  • Mail to:
    Student Accounts Office
    100 Reservoir Road
    Herkimer, NY 13350

What If You Do Not Have The Certificate By The Due Date On The Bill?

You have 30 days from the start of classes to obtain a certificate from your county.  You are not required to pay the "Certif of Residence Required" charge up front. You may subtract this charge from your bill prior to making payment. We will remove that charge when we receive your certificate. If you do not obtain and submit your certificate by the 30th day of classes, you will be required to pay the "Certif of Residence Required" charge. 

Got Questions?   Campus Contacts

Lauren Goodale
Bursar
(315) 866-0300 ext 8224
goodalelc@herkimer.edu

Debra Sutliff
Bursar Emeritus
(315) 866-0300 ext 8298
sutliffdm@herkimer.edu

Appeal Process if County Denies Certificate

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. Please note that denials can only be reversed if either the county or the college made an error or did not follow relevant legal requirements. Students can submit appeals by email to CCLegalLiaison@suny.edu or by physical mail to Johanna Duncan-Poitier, Senior Vice Chancellor for Community Colleges and the Education Pipeline, SUNY H. Carl McCall Building, 353 Broadway, Albany, NY 12246.