Certificate of Residence Information
If you are not a permanent resident of Erie County, but reside in New York State, you will be charged non-resident tuition. You are required to provide the college with a Certificate of Residence from your home county each year, to be charged the single/resident tuition rate. The Certificate of Residence allows SUNY Erie to bill your home county for the non-resident charges and allows you to pay the single/resident tuition rate.
It is the student’s responsibility to complete an application for a Certificate of Residence and submit it to your home county treasurer or finance department for processing. Requirements vary by county, please contact your home county, or visit their website for specific information on obtaining a Certificate of Residence and the application process. Links for each county are available here.
Some counties will send the Certificate of Residence to the college; others will submit it to the student. It is up to the student to ensure the SUNY Erie Office of Student Accounts receives the certificate on time. Students may apply for the Certificate of Residence any time between two months prior to their registration date and 30 days after the start of the semester. Certificates must be submitted to the SUNY Erie Office of Student Accounts no later than 30 days after the start of the semester. Students will be liable for the non-resident charges if the certificate is not submitted by the deadline. Certificates received late cannot be processed until your county accepts and pays an invoice from the college. Any monies due, if applicable, will not be refunded until that time.
If you have resided in New York State for one year and have been a permanent resident of Erie County for at least six months prior to the start of the semester, please contact the SUNY Erie Office of Student Accounts for instructions on establishing residency. NOTE: The application for obtaining the Certificate of Residence cannot be used to prove Erie County residency.
If you have any questions on obtaining your Certificate of Residence, please contact the Office of Student Accounts at the number provided below. If you have any questions regarding what proof is required for obtaining your Certificate of Residence, please contact your home county’s treasurer or finance department.