Residency Information

An in-district resident is someone who lives in District 525 or who plans to establish permanent residence in District 525.

"Residence" is defined as the place where the student lives and is considered the student's permanent home. The residence must be owned or occupied for a minimum of 30 days prior to the beginning of the term.

Requirements for Proof of Residency

Note: Residency requirements are subject to change.

Residency Requirements

You are considered a JJC District 525 resident if you are one of the following:

1. Age 18 or married, and have lived in District 525 for at least 30 days prior to the beginning of the semester
2. Living with your parents or legal guardian in District 525 for at least 30 days prior to the beginning of the semester
3. A minor and have resided in District 525 for at least 30 days prior to the beginning of the semester. You also:
   • Have not lived with your parents or guardian (except for brief holiday periods) during the past calendar year and you do not plan to do so during the next calendar year; and
   • Have not received more than the IRS Standard Deduction in financial assistance from your parents or guardian during the previous calendar year nor expect to do so during the next calendar year.

Evidence of Residency for New Students

Evidence of legal residency is based on two things:

1. Ownership and/or occupancy of a home/residence in district (shown by a deed, lease, or formal rent receipt with lessor's name indicated) and
2. At least one of the following showing the same address:
   • A current Illinois driver's license or Illinois state identification card
   • A current Illinois automobile license registration
   • A current Illinois voter's registration card
   • Employment in the state of Illinois (for out-of-state residents)
   • Payment of Illinois income taxes (for out-of-state residents)
   • A document showing the student's past or existing status as a district student (e.g. a high school transcript)
   • A utility bill in the name of the student
   • A proof of automobile insurance
   • A proof of homeowner's insurance
   • A current credit card billing statement
   • A current bank statement
   • A change of address form from the post office

Each of these proofs must show an in-district address. A post office box number for an address will NOT prove residency.

If you are a renter, you must submit either a rent receipt or lease signed by the owner/manager (dated at least 30 days prior to the beginning of the term). If applicable, you must complete the Residency Status Change Request Form (PDF) and submit both proofs of residency to the JJC Records Office (A-1020) within 10 business days of the beginning of the term.

If you are an out-of-state applicant and you fail to submit the required proofs by the stated deadline, you will be charged out-of-state tuition. Students who demonstrate to 30-day, in-state, but not in-district residency, will be charged Illinois out-of-district tuition.

Should you prove in-district residency and then later move from that address without providing a forwarding address to JJC, you will have your address returned to the original address from the application and in-district status will be reviewed.

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 shall be classified as residents of Joliet Junior College 525 without meeting the 30-day residency requirement of the district if they are currently residing in the district and are youth:

1. 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 a new community college 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, caseworker or other personnel of the Department, or the student's attorney or guardian ad litem.

Students shall not be classified as residents of the district, even though they may have met the general 30-day residency provision, if they are:

1. Federal job corps workers stationed in the district;
2. Inmates of state or federal correctional/ rehabilitation institutions located in the district;
3. Full-time students attending a post-secondary educational institution in the district who have not demonstrated, through documentation, a verifiable interest in establishing permanent residency;
4. Students attending under the provisions of a chargeback or contractual agreement with another community college.

Illinois Out-of-District

Any student who lives outside the Joliet Junior College District but who is a resident of the State of Illinois will be considered an out-of-District student. Students shall be classified as residents of the State without meeting the general 30-day residency provision if they are:

1. Federal job corps workers stationed in Illinois;
2. Members of the armed services stationed in Illinois;
3. Inmates of state or federal correctional or rehabilitation institutions located in Illinois
4. Employed full-time in Illinois

Receiving VA Benefits or Has Active Duty Status

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 for veterans.

Students who are on active duty, the board shall deem that person an in-district resident for tuition purposes. may have out-of-district tuition charges waived for applicable terms. Students must provide a copy of the military orders to the Records Office.

Out-of-State

Any student who is a resident of another state will be considered an out-of-state student and will be charged the rate established by the Board of Trustees. 

Out-of-Country

Any student who is a resident of a foreign country will be considered an out-of-country student and will be charged the established out of state rate established by the Board of Trustees.

How Residency is Determined

Your residency is determined when your JJC application is processed. It may be subject to further review and/or revision by the director of Registration and Records, and or Records staff.  

Factors used in residency determination may include:

• Current address
• Length of time at that address
• High school attended
• Date of graduation

You are responsible for furnishing information, evidence, or documents deemed necessary to accurately determine residency within 10 business days prior to the beginning of the term.

Tuition is determined by your legal and permanent residence. If you live outside of District 525, you will pay tuition at a higher rate than an in-district student. Visit our Payment Information page to learn more.

More Information About Tuition & Payments

Are you attending JJC only because your home community college doesn't offer the program you want to study? If so, you can apply for a Chargeback or Cooperative Agreement at your local community college. This may allow you to attend JJC at an in-district tuition rate. 

Chargeback and Cooperative Agreements

Persons who are not residents of District 525 but who are employed full-time (35 hours or more per week) at in district employer are eligible for in-district tuition and fees.

To qualify, a letter must be on file in the Record's office each semester prior to the student's registration. This letter must be written on company stationery and must be signed by either the owner/manager or the director of human resources.

If you are dishonest about your residency status, it will be reported as a violation of the JJC Code of Conduct. Fraudulent submissions will also result in an "out-of-district" status.

If you have any questions, please contact the Records Office by calling (815) 280-2444. You can also email wwwrecords@jjc.edu.