Out-of-State Students

A limited number of out-of-state students who meet the standard admission requirements will be accepted for admission to Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. The student should schedule an appointment with an enrollment specialist to have transfer coursework evaluated (if applicable). All out-of-state/out-of-country/non-resident students should refer to the following section for definitions and conditions that determine whether a student is a resident or non-resident student.

Determining Residency for Tuition Purposes

The definitions and conditions stated herein are excerpts taken from Mississippi statutory law, Mississippi code, Title 37, Chapter 103, sections 1 to 29 and Title 37, Chapter 155, Section 5 which govern residency and fees of students attending or applying for admission to educational institutions.

Request for a review of residency classification should be submitted to the campus Director of Admissions and Records.

1. Legal Residence of an Adult: The residence of an adult is the domicile, i.e., the place where the person physically resides with the intention of remaining or returning to if temporarily absent. MCA 37-103-13.
2. For purposes of determining whether a person pays out-of-state or in-state tuition for attendance at universities and community and junior colleges, the residence of a person less than twenty-one (21) years of age is that of the father, the mother or a general guardian duly appointed by a proper court in Mississippi. If a court has granted custody of the minor to one (1) parent, the residence of the minor is that of the parent who was granted custody by the court. If both parents are dead, the residence of the minor is that of the last surviving parent at the time of that parent’s death, unless the minor lives with a general guardian duly appointed by a proper court of Mississippi, in which case his residence becomes that of the guardian. A student residing within the State of Mississippi who, upon registration at a Mississippi institution of higher learning or community college, presents a transcript demonstrating graduation from a Mississippi secondary school and who has been a secondary school student in Mississippi for not less than the final four (4) years of secondary school attendance shall not be required to pay out-of-state tuition.
3. When Residency Is Established: A student may not be admitted as a resident unless required documentation showing proof of established residency in Mississippi is provided prior to admission. The law (MCA 37-103-3) states that a person entering the state to enter an educational institution is considered a nonresident; therefore, a Mississippi domicile listed on an admissions application does not in and of itself prove in-state residency, if other admission documents (transcripts, for example) point to possible out-of-state residency prior to admission.
4. Special Rule for Married Persons: A married person may claim the residency of their spouse or independent status under MCA 37-103-15. MCA 37-103-13.
5. Special Rule for Children of Faculty and Staff: Children of parents who are members of the faculty or staff of a CC/IHL may be considered a resident for the purpose of attending that institution. MCA 37-103-9.
6. Special MPACT Rule: An MPACT beneficiary is considered a resident. MCA 37-155-5(d) (iii); MS AG Op., Patterson (Oct.11, 1996).
7. Special Military Provisions:
   Members of the United States Armed Forces on extended active duty and stationed within the State of Mississippi and members of the Mississippi National Guard may be classifiedas residents, for the purpose of attendance at state-supported institutions of higher learning and community and/or junior colleges of the State of Mississippi. Resident status of such military personnel who are not legal residents of Mississippi, as defined in Section 37-103-13, shall terminate upon their reassignment for duty in the continental United States outside the State of Mississippi.
   1. Resident status of a spouse or child of a member of the Armed Forces of the United States on extended active duty shall be that of the military spouse or parent for the purpose of attending state-supported institutions of higher learning and community/junior colleges of the State of Mississippi during the time that the military spouse or parent is stationed within the State of Mississippi and shall be continued through the time that the military spouse or parent is stationed in an overseas area with last duty assignment within the State of Mississippi, excepting temporary training assignments en route from Mississippi. Resident status of a minor child terminates upon reassignment under Permanent Change of Station Orders of the military parent for duty in the continental United States outside the State of Mississippi, excepting temporary training assignments enroute from Mississippi, and except that children of members of the Armed Forces who attain Mississippi residency in accordance with the above provisions, who begin and complete their senior year of high school in Mississippi, and who enroll full time in a Mississippi institution of higher learning or community/junior college to begin studies in the fall after their graduation from high school, maintain their residency status so long as they remain enrolled as a student in good standing at a Mississippi institution of higher learning or community/junior college. Enrollment during summer school is not required to maintain such resident status.
   2. The spouse or child of a member of the Armed Forces of the United States who dies or is killed is entitled to pay the resident tuition fee if the spouse or child becomes a resident of Mississippi.
   3. If a member of the Armed Forces of the United States is stationed outside Mississippi and the member’s spouse or child establishes residence in Mississippi and registers with the Mississippi institution of higher learning or community/junior college at which the spouse or child plans to attend, the institution of higher education or community/junior college shall permit the spouse or child to pay the tuition, fees and other charges provided for Mississippi residents without regard to length of time that the spouse or child has resided in Mississippi.
   4. A member of the Armed Forces of the United States or the child or spouse of a member of the Armed Forces of the United States who is entitled to pay tuition and fees at the rate provided for Mississippi residents under another provision of this section while enrolled in a degree or certificate program is entitled to pay tuition and fees at the rate provided for Mississippi residents in any subsequent term or semester while the person is continuously enrolled in the same degree or certificate program. A student may withdraw or may choose not to reenroll for no more than one (1) semester or term while pursuing a degree or certificate without losing resident status only if that student provides sufficient documentation by a physician that the student has a medical condition that requires withdrawal or non-enrollment. For purposes of this subsection, a person is not required to enroll in a summer term to remain continuously enrolled in a degree or certificate program. The person’s eligibility to pay tuition and fees at the rate provided for Mississippi residents under this subsection does not terminate because the person is no longer a member of the Armed Forces of the United States or the child or spouse of a member of the Armed Forces of the United States.
8. Permanent Residents or “Green Card” Holders. Generally speaking, most persons having permanent resident status (“green card” holders) have the ability to establish a domicile in Mississippi and to qualify as Mississippi residents.
9. Nonimmigrant Visa Holders. Most persons holding nonimmigrant visas, including F-1 student visas, will not be able to demonstrate the requirements for a Mississippi domicile because their visas are temporary in nature and U.S. approval of their visas may have required a determination that the persons intended to return to their country of origin after the purpose of their visas is concluded. This being the case, the person’s domicile would remain in their country of origin. In addition, Section 37-103-5 provides that a person entering Mississippi to attend an educational institution is and remains a nonresident for tuition purposes.
10. Miscellaneous Provisions. Any student willfully presenting false evidence of residency is deemed guilty of a misdemeanor. MCA 37-103-27. Law is not to be construed as requiring the admission of nonresidents. MCA 37-103-29.
11. To establish in-state residency status, students must submit three (3) documents from the list below:

• Current MS Driver’s License or State issued ID (Persons moving into MS permanently have 60 days per state law to acquire driver’s licenses.)
  • If the driver’s license has the Veteran designation or logo, then there is no need for additional documentation
• Current Utility Bill with matching address on application (Cell phone bill included)
• Current Vehicle Registration card (no title, mail notice, etc.)
• Current Employment Documents (paycheck stub, employment contract). An employment verification letter on company letterhead is also acceptable.
• Lease agreement signed by Lessor and Lessee (letters/affidavits from private homeowners, even if notarized, will not suffice as a residency document) (matching address on application)
• Mortgage document (matching address on application)
• Prior or prior-prior year MS State Tax Return
• Recent Voter Registration Card (if issue date is over 4 years old, the address must match address on MSDL/ID)
• Guardianship documents (issued by MS Court or MS Department of Human Services)
• Emancipation documents
• Signed statement by the MS Dept. of Human Services or a certified letter from recognized relief agency (such as the Salvation Army) certifying that the student is receiving services as a homeless MS resident
• Current Military Orders (stationed inside the state of MS) for Mississippi Active Personnel

International Students

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College reserves the right to determine the number of international students admitted. International students must meet all of the following admissions requirements at least six weeks prior to enrollment (November 1 for the spring semester or July 1 for the fall semester):

1. Complete a Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College application for admission.
2. Provide proof of immunization against measles, mumps, and Rubella. In addition, the State of Mississippi requires all new foreign applicants to be screened for tuberculosis by the local office of the Mississippi Department of Public Health. Tuberculosis screening must take place in the United States.
3. If English is not the native language of the applicant one of the following is required:
   1. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of at least 500 on the paper based, 61 on Internet Based (iBT), and 173 on the computer based test. (It is recommended that the applicant take the Test of Written English portion of the TOEFL.)
   2. b. A grade of “C” or better in English Composition I and English Composition II transferred from a regionally accredited university or college within the United States
   3. c. Proven proficiency in English following completion of English as a Second Language (ESL), English Language Institute, or Intensive English Language Program provided through a U.S. college or university designed for non-native born students. A letter of recommendation from the program director indicating the student has achieved “proficiency satisfactory to enroll in and successfully complete college work and is able to converse and communicate intelligibly and effectively” must accompany certification of completion.
4. Complete, official scholastic records translated into English (if these are being submitted from a high school, a graduation or completion date must be listed on the transcript) and evaluated by an approved credentialing agency*. Applicants who have not received a degree equivalent to a U.S. high school diploma may submit a passing High School Equivalency (HSE) transcripts. Transcripts from colleges or universities outside of the United States must be submitted to an approved evaluation service* for evaluation and translation. If the student would like to have credit applied towards a degree from MGCCC, the evaluation service must provide course comparisons for the appropriate courses. Results should be mailed directly to the Office of Admissions at the appropriate campus. This process will take four to six weeks and the college must receive the evaluation prior to the six-week admissions deadline.
5. Official transcripts from regionally accredited colleges or universities (if applicable). Applicants who have completed 12 or more semester hours of college level from regionally accredited colleges or universities are required to submit only their United States transcripts.
6. Provide a copy of the applicant’s passport with an effective date through the first six months of enrollment.
7. Provide a notarized Affidavit of Support from a bank indicating available American funds sufficient for tuition, transportation, and room and board for at least the first year of the student’s enrollment ($14,590.00).
8. To secure housing, complete the online Housing Application and pay the $50 application fee. Residence hall rooms are available on the Perkinston campus on a first come first serve basis. Please note that residence halls are closed during college scheduled breaks and holidays. Students will not be allowed to remain in campus housing during these times and must make their own housing arrangements for scheduled breaks and holidays.
9. Prior to registration, applicants may be required to schedule a personal interview with the Admissions Director and selected instructors to determine the student’s ability to perform in the chosen field of study.
10. Participate in an orientation session prior to registration.

Following completion of admission requirements, the Admissions Office will mail the applicant the form I-20.

*The evaluation service is at the expense of the student. Transfer credit from a foreign institution will be considered for acceptance if a course-by-course evaluation is obtained from an agency that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). NACES identifies foreign colleges/universities meeting the highest standards for accreditation in their countries. Agency information may be obtained at www.naces.org.

SEVIS Fee Notice

Effective September 1, 2004, all international students applying for F-1 status are required to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee at www.fmjfee.com. New students and exchange visitors with a Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 issued on or after September 1, 2004 are subject to the fee. Continuing students and exchange visitors are not required to pay the fee except under certain circumstances. For complete information on payment of the fee go to www.fmjfee.com, www.ice.gov or call 1-212-620-3418.