Dependency Status

A dependent student is one who is listed as a dependent on the federal or state income tax return of his/her parent(s) or legal guardian or who receives major financial support from that person. Such a student maintains the same domicile as that of the parent(s) or legal guardian. In the event the parents are divorced or legally separated, the dependent student takes the domicile of the parent with whom he/she lives or to whom he/she has been assigned by court order. However, a dependent student who enrolls and is properly classified as an instate student maintains that classification as long as the enrollment is continuous and the student does not attain independence and establish domicile in another state.

A nonresident student, who becomes independent while a student at an institution of higher education in West Virginia does not, by reason of such independence alone, attain domicile in this state for admission or fee payment purposes.