- A resident student is an applicant for admission who is a citizen of the United States or a duly registered resident in the State of Alabama for at least 12 months immediately preceding application for admission, or whose non-estranged spouse has resided and had habitation, home, and permanent abode in the State of Alabama for at least 12 months immediately preceding application for admission. Consequently, an out of-state student cannot retain Resident Student status simply by attending school for 12 months in the State of Alabama.
- In the case of minor dependents seeking admission, the parents, parent, or legal guardian of such minor dependent must have resided in the State of Alabama for at least 12 months immediately preceding application for admission. If the parents are divorced, the residency of the parent to whom the court has granted custody will determine residence.
- In determining Resident Student status for the purpose of charging tuition, the burden of proof lies with the applicant for admission.
- A specific address or location within the State of Alabama as his or her residence.
- An intention to remain at this address indefinitely.
- Possession of more substantial connections with the State of Alabama than with any other state.
- Consideration of the location of high school graduation.
- Payment of Alabama state income taxes as a resident.
- Ownership of a residence or other real property in the state and payment of state ad valorem taxes on the residence or property.
- Full-time employment in the state.
- Residence in the state of a spouse, parents, or children.
- Previous periods of residency in the state continuing for one year or more.
- Voter registration and voting in the state
- Possession of state or local licenses to do business or practice a profession in the state.
- Ownership of personal property in the state, payment of state taxes on the property
- Possession of state license plates.
- Continuous physical presence in the state for a purpose other than attending school, except for temporary absences for travel, military service, and temporary employment.
- Membership in religious, professional, business, civic, or social organizations in the state.
- Maintenance in the state of checking and savings accounts, safe deposit boxes, or investment accounts.
- In-state address shown on selective service registration, driver’s license, automobile title registration, hunting and fishing licenses, insurance policies, stock and bond registrations, last will and testament, annuities, or retirement plans.
Students determined to be eligible for resident tuition will maintain that eligibility upon reenrollment within one full academic year of their most previous enrollment unless there is evidence that the student subsequently has abandoned resident status, for example, registering to vote in another state. Students failing to re-enroll within one full academic year must establish eligibility upon re-enrollment.
- A Non-Resident Student, one who does not meet the standard of having resided in the State of Alabama for at least 12 months immediately preceding application for admission, shall be charged the instate tuition rate established by the State Board of Education under the following circumstances, provided such student is a citizen of the United States.
- The dependent student whose supporting person is a full-time permanent employee of the institution at which the student is registering; or whose supporting person can verify full-time permanent employment in Alabama and will commence said employment within 90 days of registration; or whose supporting person is a member of the United States military on full-time active duty stationed in Alabama under orders for duties other than attending school; or whose supporting person is an accredited member of a consular staff assigned to duties in Alabama.
- The student is not a dependent (as defined by Internal Revenue Codes) who is a full-time permanent employee of the institution at which the student is registering or is the spouse of such an employee; or can verify full-time employment within the State of Alabama or is the spouse of such an employee and will commence said employment within 90 days of registration with the institution; or is a member of or the spouse of a member of the United States military on full-time active duty stationed in Alabama under orders for duties other than attending school; or is an accredited member of or the spouse of an accredited member of a consular staff assigned to duties in Alabama.
- Escambia County - Florida
- Santa Rosa County - Florida
- George County - Mississippi
- Greene County - Mississippi
- Harrison County - Mississippi
- Jackson County - Mississippi
- Perry County - Mississippi
- Stone County - Mississippi
For admission to an Alabama Community College System institution, all international applicants must provide: a VISA acceptable to the United States and an official translated copy of the student’s high school/college transcript, a minimum score on an approved English as a Foreign Language exam as specified in the guidelines, signed notarized statement verifying adequate financial support, and documentation demonstrating adequate health and life insurance, which must be maintained during enrollment.
The credentials of an applicant from a foreign country for admission to the college are evaluated under the established general regulations governing admission. An applicant for admission to the College who has received disciplinary action from another institution or agency may be denied admission to the College.
Residency Policy for Veterans, Dependents, and Spouses
For the purpose of assessing tuition, students who are veterans, dependents, and spouses will receive in-state tuition rates if classified as one of the following:
Veteran Residency Requirements: (Veterans must qualify under at least one of the following two requirements).
1. Permanent civilian resident for at least one year immediately prior to initial entry into federal active military service or any subsequent entry into federal active military service where a 12 month break in service occurred AND one of the following:
- Current resident for at least two years immediately prior to the date of this application or date of veteran’s death; or
- Current resident who was discharged within the last 12 months; or
- Filed a resident Alabama income tax return for the past 10 consecutive years.
2. Bona fide permanent resident for at least five years immediately prior to the date of this application or the date of the veteran’s death. Applies to 100% permanent and total ratings only.
IV. Student Requirements: As of July 31, 2017, Students applying for benefits for the first time must meet all of the following:
- Must be a current resident of the state of Alabama at the time of application, and.
- Must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for each year that they are covered under the Alabama G.I. Dependent Scholarship Program; and
- Must comply with Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) as defined by their education institution; and
- Must complete a Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) release form for each educational institution that they attend to authorize the release of personally identifiable information required to determine continued eligibility and as required for necessary reporting.
Alabama National Guardsmen (SB315)
No public institution of higher education in the state of Alabama shall impose a non-resident free on an Alabama National Guard member in good standing and meet the following requirements:
- The individual is 17 years of age or over.
- The individual is a member of the Alabama National Guard in good standing throughout the period or semester for which that individual receives education benefits as indicated by continued satisfactory participation in the Alabama National Guard as required by all applicable laws and regulations of the Department of the Army, the Department of the Air Force, and the Alabama National Guard, and there is no unfavorable administrative action pending against him or her.
Addendum to the Residency Policy for Veterans, Dependents, and Spouses - Terms Beginning after March 1, 2019 (PL 115-251 Sec. 301)
The following individuals shall be charged a rate of tuition not to exceed the in-state rate for tuition and fees purposes:
- A Veteran using educational assistance under either chapter 30 (Montgomery GI Bill® - Active Duty Program) or chapter 33 (Post-9/11 GI Bill®), of title 38, United States Code, who lives in Alabama while attending a school located in Alabama (regardless of his/her formal State of residence) and enrolls in the school after a period of active duty service of 90 days or more.
- Anyone using transferred Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits (38 U.S.C. § 3319) who lives in Alabama while attending a school located in Alabama (regardless of his/her formal State of residence) and enrolls in the school after a period of active duty service of 90 days or more.
- Anyone described above while he or she remains continuously enrolled (other than during regularly scheduled breaks between courses, semesters, or terms) at the same school. The person so described must have enrolled in the school prior to the expiration of the three year period following discharge or release as described above and must be using educational benefits under either chapter 30 or chapter 33, of title 38, United States Code.
- Anyone using benefits under the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship (38 U.S.C. § 3311(b)(9)) who lives in Alabama while attending a school located in Alabama (regardless of his/her formal State of residence).
- Anyone using transferred Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits (38 U.S.C. § 3319) who lives in Alabama while attending a school located in Alabama (regardless of his/her formal state of residence) and the transferor is a member of the uniformed service who is serving on active duty.
- Anyone using educational assistance under chapter 31, Vocational Rehabilitation/Employment (VR&E), also be charged the resident rate. Effective for courses and terms beginning after March 1, 2019, a public institution of higher learning must charge the resident rate to chapter 31 participants, as well as the other categories of individuals described above. When an institution charges these individuals more than the rate for resident students, VA is required to disapprove programs of education sponsored by VA.
Admission to Courses Creditable Toward an Associate Degree
To be eligible for admission to courses creditable toward an associate degree, a first-time college student must meet one of the following criteria:
- Applicants with an Alabama High School Diploma, a high school diploma of another state equivalent to an Alabama high school diploma, or an equivalent diploma issued by a non-public regionally and/or state accredited high school; OR
- Applicants who have attended a non-accredited high school who have successfully completed courses of study on the secondary level (as evidenced by an official transcript) may be admitted; OR
- Applicants who cannot comply with either of the above conditions may be admitted upon presentation of a Certificate of High School Equivalency (GED Certificate) evidenced by an official copy of scores from the testing site. The applicant must hold the GED Certificate prior to enrollment.
First Time College Students
Unconditional Admission of First-Time College Students Applicants must have on file at the College a completed application for admission, one primary form of documentation, and either an official transcript from the high school attended or an official GED Certificate. Students who have completed dual enrollment coursework from another regionally accredit institution will be required to submit an official transcript from that institution as well.
Conditional Admission of First-Time College Students
First-time freshmen may be conditionally admitted to Bishop State Community College for one semester if their official high school or GED transcripts are pending receipt. No student shall be allowed to enroll for a second semester unless all required admission documents have been received by the College prior to the start of the student’s second semester. Likewise, official Bishop State transcripts will not be released until all required admission documents have been received by the College.Students who are conditionally admitted to the College are ineligible to receive federal financial aid benefits.
Returning Bishop State Student (Readmission)
A student who has previously attended Bishop State as a credit student (after high school/GED) and is returning to the College after a break in continuous enrollment is considered a returning (readmit) student. Students who have attended the College within the past year do not need to reapply. Students who only attended the College as a dual enrollment student should apply as a first-time freshman if he or she plans to attend the College after high school graduation.
Required Admission Documentation:
- Bishop State application for admission
- Official high school / GED transcript documenting graduation if not already submitted
- Official college transcripts from all previously attended institutions after last attending Bishop State*
Readmission to Specialized Programs: Students seeking readmission to specialized programs, such as Nursing and Physical Therapist Assistant, should refer to the programs section of the catalog for that particular program.
*Applicants who have completed an Associate Degree will be required to submit only the transcript from the institution granting the degree unless transfer credit is required from an intuition other than the one the Associate Degree was awarded. Some programs may require all college transcripts be submitted regardless of the degree that was obtained.
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