Residency

To qualify as in-district students, individuals must reside within the district for at least 30 days immediately prior to the date established by Waubonsee for classes to begin.

Students occupying a dwelling in the district who are unable to meet the 30-day residency requirement may not become residents simply by attending classes at a community college for 30 days or more.

Students who move from outside the state or district and who obtain residence in the district for reasons other than attending the community college shall be exempt from the 30-day requirement if they demonstrate, through documentation, a verifiable interest in establishing permanent residency.

Students who are currently under the legal guardianship of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services or have been recently emancipated from the Department and had a placement change into Waubonsee's district shall be exempt from the 30-day requirement if they demonstrate proof of current in-district residency. Documentation of current residency may be submitted to the district from the student, a caseworker or other personnel of the Department, or the student's attorney or guardian ad litem. Students should contact the Director of Registration and Records or the Registration and Records Manager if required to verify their residency.

Students shall not be classified as residents of the district where attending even though they may have met the general 30-day residency provision if they are: federal job corps workers stationed in the district; inmates of State or federal correctional/rehabilitation institutions located in the district; full-time students attending a postsecondary educational institution in the district who have not demonstrated through documentation a verifiable interest in establishing permanent residency; or students attending under a chargeback or contractual agreement (ex. Cooperative Agreement) with another community college.

Students who reside in Illinois but outside of the Waubonsee District - 516 for at least 30 days prior to the date established by the district for classes to begin, are considered out-of-district students. Students occupying a dwelling in the state who are unable to meet the 30-day residency requirement may not become residents simply by attending classes at a community college for 30 days or more.

Students who move from outside the state and who obtain residence in the state but out-of-district for reasons other than attending the community college shall be exempt from the 30-day requirement if they demonstrate, through documentation, a verifiable interest in establishing permanent residency.

Students shall be classified as residents of the state without meeting the general 30-day residency provision if they are: federal job corps workers stationed in Illinois; members of the armed services stationed in Illinois; inmates of State correctional/rehabilitation institutions located in Illinois; or employed full time in Illinois. Students should contact the Director of Registration and Records or the Registration and Records Manager if required to verify their residency.

Students whose legal residence is outside of Illinois are considered out-of-state.

Students whose legal residence is outside of the country are considered international students.

Students who do not live in the district but who are employed by a business in the district for at least 35 hours per week may have out-of-district tuition charges waived. Students are required to submit the Special Residency Classification Request Form and attach a letter on letterhead each term verifying their employment and that they work at least 35 hours a week.

Students who do not live in the district but own property in the district may have out-of-district tuition charges waived. Students are required to submit the Special Residency Classification Request Form and attach a tax bill each term.

Students who do not live in the district but attended a VALEES member district school with a date of high school graduation or last term of high school attendance that is within two years may have out-of-district tuition charges waived for nine consecutive terms (includes summer terms). Students are required to provide an official high school transcript and submit the Special Residency Classification Request.

Students who do not live in the district but attended a high school within Waubonsee's district with a date of high school graduation or last term of high school attendance that is within two years may have out-of-district charges waived for nine consecutive terms (includes summer terms). Students are required to provide an official high school transcript and submit the Special Residency Classification Request.

Students utilizing any of the following VA benefits may have out-of-district tuition charges waived for applicable terms: the federal Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008 or any subsequent variations of that Act; the federal All-Volunteer Force Educational Assistance Program; or any assistance as described in 38 U.S.C. 3679(c). The out-of-district charges are waived automatically upon qualifying for education benefits.

Students who are on active duty may have out-of-district tuition charges waived for applicable terms. Students are required to submit the Special Residency Classification Request Form and attach a copy of the military orders to Registration and Records.

Students attending Waubonsee under a CAREER Cooperative agreement with another community college will have out-of-district tuition charges waived. Students are required to submit appropriate documentation to the Student Accounts and Cashiering Office (SACO).