District responds to Mesa Legend
Prior to publication, The Mesa Legend made multiple requests to Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) for answers to specific questions about district forms which seemingly require citizenship information about students’ parents.
After publication, Lindsey Wilson, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer for MCCCD the district responded stating that while they recognize concerns about the asking of citizenship information, any concerns are separate from the actual process through which residency is determined.
Wilson said MCCCD conducted their own research and concluded that their documents have not been recently changed as asserted in the Legend article, but she acknowledged that “the appearance of required-field asterisks can vary by browser,” which may explain any visual differences.
She also responded to the specific, written questions that The Mesa Legend submitted on October 16, 20 days before publication:
1. What is the purpose of Maricopa Community Colleges asking for the citizenship status of a potential student’s parent?
To qualify for in-state tuition, students must be U.S. citizens or have eligible status and meet applicable Arizona domicile requirements, which include 365 days of domicile before the semester begins.
If a dependent student has not met the 365-day requirement, they may choose to provide documentation showing that their parent or legal guardian is domiciled in Arizona and can claim them as a dependent for state and federal tax purposes. This optional documentation is used to establish domicile, not the parent’s citizenship status.
2. How is the information used in determining a student’s tuition classification or residency?
For eligible dependent students who have lived in Arizona for fewer than 365 days, the documentation would establish a parent’s or legal guardian’s Arizona domicile and the student’s dependency for tuition classification purposes.
3. How is the information stored, and who has access to it?
Students submit documentation through an online system using their college credentials or in person through Admissions and Records. Electronic access is restricted to authorized Admissions and Records staff who process the forms. Physical records are stored in a locked records room accessible only to authorized personnel.
Wilson also said, “The form itself is optional and is not required of students. It provides an additional way for eligible students to establish Arizona domicile and qualify for in-state tuition rates. While certain fields may be required if a student chooses to complete the form, the form itself is an optional resource intended to help students who may otherwise have difficulty establishing residency.”