Overview

The Tennessee legislature passed this act (TCA 4-58-101 et seq.) in 2012. All students applying for admission for terms beginning Spring 2013 and later are impacted. The EVEA requires state public institutions of higher education to verify that any person seeking a “state public benefit” must be either a “United States citizen” or “lawfully present” in the United States.

A “state benefit” includes in-state tuition, lottery scholarship, academic scholarship, common market, or any other form of tuition assistance or waiver funded with state-appropriated dollars. State benefit does not include tuition assistance funded privately, such as a scholarship from the institution’s foundation or a privately endowed scholarship.

This act does not affect your admissibility to Columbia State Community College; it only affects your fees to attend Columbia State Community College.

“Deferred action” status does not satisfy the requirement of “lawful presence” under federal or state law. Individuals in “deferred action” status are not eligible for state benefits.

How do I satisfy EVEA?

 

U.S. CITIZEN / ALIEN LAWFULLY PRESENT – FAFSA

If you are applying to receive a state benefit, your citizenship or lawful presence may be verified in several ways. The primary and recommended way to have your U. S. citizenship or eligible non-citizenship status verified is by completing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This application data will be used to confirm U. S. citizenship or eligible non-citizenship status via the federal government (“Citizenship-Confirmed FASFA”).

U.S. CITIZEN - NO FAFSA

If you have no plans of completing a FAFSA but would like to receive a state benefit, there are several documents that you may submit to verify your U.S. citizenship. Please submit one of the following:

  1. A valid, non-temporary, TN driver license card (including a learner’s permit or restricted driver license), or photo identification card,
  2. A valid, non-temporary, driver license, or photo identification card (including a learner’s permit or restricted driver license) issued by any U.S. state, if marked as a REAL ID
  3. A United-States, government-issued certified birth certificate
  4. A valid, unexpired U.S. passport
  5. An official birth certificate issued by a U.S. State, jurisdiction, or territory; except for Puerto Rican birth certificates issued before July 1, 2010
  6. A US certificate of birth abroad (DS-1350 or FS-545)
  7. A report of birth abroad of a citizen of the U.S. (FS-240)
  8. A certificate of citizenship (N560 or N561)
  9. A certificate of naturalization (N550, N570 or N578)
  10. A U.S. citizen identification card (1-197, 1-179)
  11. Any successor document to items 1 -9 above
  12. For incarcerated individuals, a memo from the TN Department of Corrections (TDOC) confirming
    verification of U.S. citizenship/lawful presence consistent with T.C.A. 4-58-101 et seq.

ALIEN LAWFULLY PRESENT - NO FAFSA

If you have no plans of completing a FAFSA or are not eligible to complete a FAFSA but would like to receive a state benefit, there are several documents that you may submit to verify your status as an alien lawfully present in the United States. To establish status as a qualified alien who is lawfully present in the U.S. (If not a U.S. citizen or do not possess a non-temporary TN or Real ID driver license) you may present two (2) of the following:

  1. A valid, unexpired Permanent Resident Card
  2. Valid, unexpired Foreign Passport with Visa Stamped "Processed for I-551" (Permanent U.S. Residence)
  3. Permanent Resident Re-entry Permit (I-327)
  4. Valid, unexpired Employment Authorization Card (EAD)
  5. Visa permitting study at an institution of higher education in the U.S.
  6. Arrival/Departure Record for visa classification permitting study at an institution of higher education in the U.S.
  7. Notice of Approval of Status for visa classification permitting study at an institution of higher education in the U.S., with bottom I-94 portion attached (Form I-797)
  8. Refugee travel document (I-571)
  9. Asylum (I-94 stating asylum granted for period of 1 year to indefinitely)
  10. Valid unexpired Foreign Passport with a valid Visa in a category that permits study at an institution of higher education
  11. Any other document determined by the US Department of Homeland Security to be acceptable through the SAVE program to establish status as a qualified alien with lawful presence in the U.S. pursuant to 8 U.S.C. §1641(b).

Resource: https://www.uscis.gov/save/commonly-used-immigration-documents 

VERIFICATION DOCUMENTATION NOT NEEDED

Applicants are not required to submit verification documentation to Columbia State if:

  • You have not graduated from high school and are under 18 and are applying as dual enrollment students or academically talented/gifted students
  • You are employed by Columbia State and have had their lawful presence verified through the federal E-Verify program (valid I-9 on file with Columbia State)
  • Lawful presence has been verified through the federal Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) (e.g. J-1 and F-1 student visa holders)
  • You are not interested in receiving a state benefit

 

Upon receipt of final verification that indicates that an applicant is not a U.S. citizen or an alien lawfully present in the U.S., Columbia State Community College must terminate any recurring benefit. Columbia State Community College must also notify the TN Office of the General Counsel of any false, fictitious or fraudulent statement or representation.